Chapter 3

The diamond-studded necklace around her neck was identical to the one Ethan had just given me.

Except hers was brighter, more eye-catching.

I took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the private room.

The commotion inside came to an abrupt halt.

Ethan seemed not to have expected me to come, his eyes full of confusion, his brows furrowed.

His friend was the first to stand up and introduce me.

"This is our college classmate Luna. She went abroad five years ago and just came back today, catching our reunion. What a coincidence, right?"

His ambiguous gaze swept back and forth between Ethan and Luna.

Calling me here was clearly deliberate.

If it were before, I might have lost control on the spot and confronted them.

Knowing Ethan had her in his heart, why did they let her appear when we were about to get married? Why didn't they stop them from meeting?

But now I just smiled faintly.

When his friend began introducing me and mentioned the words "fiancée," Ethan coughed non-stop, covering his mouth.

Luna beside him handed him tissues with perfect understanding.

Naturally reaching out to wipe the corner of his mouth.

After a while, his face completely red, he spoke: "Just a friend I'm pretty close with."

My eyelashes trembled slightly as everyone watched like spectators.

I nodded along with his words.

My palm hurt from my nails digging in. I forced myself not to let tears spill out.

He didn't want to reveal my identity — I was used to it.

After all, even our wedding was just a group message.

No photos together, no bride's name.

I always made excuses for his behavior, unwilling to gamble one last time with five years of feelings.

But time after time, I remained the loser.

I forced a smile and greeted Luna.

"You're even prettier in person than in photos. The necklace... is very beautiful too."

After that sentence, the private room fell completely silent.

Perhaps afraid I'd make things difficult for her, Ethan quickly grabbed a drink and placed it in front of me.

Looking at the black chocolate cocktail on the table, my smile froze on my face.

I spoke word by word: "I can't drink anything with chocolate..."

I'd just told him before going out, and he'd forgotten it immediately.

Embarrassment flashed in Ethan's eyes.

Just as he was about to change my drink, Luna reached out and took the glass from in front of me.

"Give it to me. I'm not picky."

A flash of urgency crossed Ethan's face: "There's lemon juice in it. Don't you dislike that flavor?"

In an instant, something seemed to explode in my heart.

The fragments pierced my chest, even breathing hurt and trembled.

So he didn't forget — he just didn't bother wasting time on me.

Luna giggled and playfully tapped his nose. "I drink it often abroad. Got used to it. It's fine."

She placed the glass in front of herself and went to the restroom.

Only then did Ethan sit beside me, explaining in a low voice: "I'm sorry, I really forgot just now. I'll definitely pay attention next time. Everyone's here, one drink won't hurt, right? Worst case, I'll go out and buy you allergy medicine later."

"Don't overthink it. She's just a friend I haven't seen in a long time. She doesn't know we're getting married. Explaining would be too complicated so I just—"

Before he could finish, I simply nodded.

He never knew that for our wedding day, to be in good condition, I'd been off sugar for a long time.

As for allergens that would make me break out in hives all over, I stayed far away.

The tears accumulated in my eyes spilled out from the momentum.

He thought I didn't know his first love, thought he'd hidden it well.

Then I'd go along with his wishes. Pretending to be oblivious was what I was best at anyway.

"Yeah, I know. No need to explain."

He visibly relaxed.

After the earlier awkwardness, his friend spoke first, trying to ease the atmosphere.

He suggested playing a game.

When Luna entered the room, the bottle mouth seemed to have GPS, stopping right in front of Ethan.