Chapter 2

“Let him go! If he doesn’t learn to rein in that temper, it’s going to cost him one day.”

Amanda waved dismissively and went back to helping Kevin try on the suit.

She had completely forgotten that I was her groom.

“Amanda, don’t blame Leigh. He’s been overwhelmed with wedding preparations lately. He didn’t mean to throw a tantrum. Besides, it’s pouring outside. You can’t send your groom out there and let him get soaked.”

Kevin sounded as though he were defending me, but he never once stopped trying on the suit.

The rain outside grew heavier by the minute.

Amanda knew full well that I had come to this remote suburb in her car and had no way to get back on my own. Still, she said, “A good soaking will teach him a lesson. I’ve spoiled him so much that he thinks he can get away with anything. Now, he’s even jealous of his best friend.”

After hearing that, I stopped hesitating and walked out into the pouring rain.

Fifteen minutes later, Kevin posted an update on social media.

[Riding in Ms. Gordon’s Rolls-Royce Wraith again. Didn’t get a drop of rain on me. What a shame.]

I knew that car’s interior all too well.

Countless times, my best friend had been the one sitting beside Amanda in the passenger seat.

I had never thought anything of it.

I used to think I was lucky that my girlfriend and best friend got along so well.

But every time I gave them the benefit of the doubt, they only pushed the boundaries further.

This time, I neither liked his post nor left a comment.

After walking through the pouring rain for nearly an hour, I finally made it home.

Before I could change out of my soaked, ice-cold clothes, I received a text from Amanda.

[Why aren’t you here yet? You’re taking forever. Kevin and I are going to start eating without you.]

I finally recalled that the three of us had agreed to have dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant after the fitting.

[Hurry up. You always keep us waiting.]

It was not the first time something like this had happened.

Whenever we made plans to go to dinner together, Kevin always caught a ride with Amanda, so they inevitably arrived first.

Meanwhile, I had to travel alone from my office, which was nearly ten miles away. By the time I finally arrived, they would already be halfway through dinner. The meal they had ordered for me would have gone cold.

Amanda never showed the slightest concern for how that made me feel.

[Kevin has a sensitive stomach, so we just started without you. If you’re going to sit there sulking, we won’t bother saving your food next time.]

Normally, such a message would leave me quietly crushed.

However, I was too proud to admit that I was hurt. I would simply sit down in silence and eat the cold meal they had saved for me.

This time, however, I calmly locked my phone.

I did not send her a reply.

I would not be showing up to that wedding.

Kevin could have the bride and the wedding all to himself.

Past midnight, Amanda was still not home.

I lay curled up in bed beneath three blankets, yet I could not stop shivering.

Unable to bear it any longer, I called her in a hoarse voice and asked her to pick up some cold medicine on her way home.

There were a few seconds of silence before she replied coldly, “The fact that you’re still talking to me on the phone now means your condition isn’t that bad. You’re just trying to trick me into coming home.”

Loud music and cheerful voices filled the background. Wherever she was, the party was clearly in full swing.

Kevin suddenly took the phone from her and began explaining in a slightly drunken voice, “Don’t worry, buddy. Amanda’s with me. I’ll keep an eye on her and make sure no other guys get near her.”

As though worried I would not believe him, he even sent me a photo.

In the picture, several fresh hickeys stood out on Amanda’s neck.

“Relax, buddy. I already made sure everyone knows she’s taken. You can check the marks yourself when she gets home. I only did this for you. You’re not going to be mad about it, are you?”

I smiled bitterly and shook my head.

“Not at all.”

After ending the call, I forced myself out of bed and packed up all my belongings.

Just as I put the last piece of clothing in the suitcase, a message arrived from overseas.

Lawrence’s reply was brief.

[Yes. Come as soon as you can.]

Seeing that, I booked the earliest flight available.