Fiancée Wipes Childhood Friend’s Mouth at Gathering

When I returned to the restaurant to say I would be taking Chloe home, Claire’s expression stiffened for a split second, while Ryan gave a knowing smile.

“Do you need me to come with you?” Claire asked, though she did not move from her seat.

“No, you can keep Mr. Zane company.”

I deliberately emphasized the word Mr. Zane. “He does not often come back to the country.”

Ryan rose to his feet and extended his hand. “Mr. Carter, nice to meet you. Hope we get a chance to talk alone sometime.”

I shook his hand, feeling the pressure in his grip. “Anytime.”

On the way to take Chloe home, she leaned against my shoulder the entire time, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns across my chest.

“Adrian,” Chloe said suddenly, “if my sister does not want you anymore, would you consider me.”

I slammed on the brakes. The tires screeched sharply against the road.

“You are drunk.”

My voice was cold. At the same time, her phone screen lit up. It was a message from Claire:

[Don’t push it too far.]

Chloe giggled and reached for her phone, accidentally opening her photo album.

For a brief second, I saw it. A photo of Ryan and Claire.

They were wearing bathrobes. The background was unmistakably a hotel room.

The timestamp showed last year—on the anniversary of my relationship with Claire, the night she said she was attending a friend’s single party.

“Ah!” Chloe hurriedly locked the screen, but it was already too late.

My fingers tightened around the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white.

Suddenly, all the fragments snapped into place. Her overtime. Her girls’ nights. The nights I could not reach her.

“Adrian, are you okay.” Chloe’s voice turned unexpectedly clear.

I took a deep breath. “We are here.”

When I helped her out of the car, Chloe rose on her tiptoes and whispered into my ear, “Claire does not know I saw that photo. And I do not know if you were supposed to see it either. However, if you want to know more, come to my apartment tomorrow at eight.”

She slipped a piece of paper into my hand, then staggered toward the entrance, turning back with a meaningful glance before disappearing inside.

On my way back, my phone rang.

It was Claire.

“Honey, did you get Chloe home safely.” Her voice was as gentle as ever.

“Yes.” I gave a brief reply.

“Ryan just left,” Claire continued. “He said he really admired you.”

I almost laughed. “Is that so.”

“Yes… oh, let us go try on wedding dresses together tomorrow night, okay. You said last time the waist needed adjusting.”

Tomorrow night at eight o’clock. The same time Chloe invited me.

“All right,” I heard myself say. “I am looking forward to it.”

After hanging up, I pulled over and unfolded Chloe’s note.

Besides the address, there was one more line:

[Bring a bottle of wine. I know you have questions.]

In the distance, the city lights shimmered like stars. Each one perhaps hiding a secret no one else knew.