Chapter 3

I leaned against the concrete pillar just to keep myself standing.

So, they were each other's unforgettable first loves.

I remembered how Chloe used to get drunk and cry to me.

"Eliana, I regret it so much..."

"But he couldn't give me the life I wanted back then. He was just a poor kid working three or four jobs, giving me every penny he earned while he survived on bread crusts..."

"But the company that offered me an internship back then was the Jefferson Group—the top firm in the industry! What was I supposed to do..."

She had mumbled on and on about how much he loved her, and how painful it was for her to make that choice.

Later, when she heard I was in a relationship, she flew back to the States overnight just to "vet" him for me.

The first time they met, I felt the awkward tension.

After that, they either avoided each other or bickered whenever they were in the same room.

I never could have imagined that they had such a passionate, dramatic past.

Chloe cried and pushed him away.

"But it's too late now! She's pregnant, and you two are getting married the day after tomorrow!"

"What am I supposed to do..."

Isaiah’s face was filled with pain, but he kept her in his embrace.

"She will never know. I will make it up to her by treating her twice as well..."

My heart ached with a suffocating tightness.

His love for me hadn't felt like a lie.

Ever since we got together, he had surprised me on every holiday.

Even when he drank himself to a stomach bleed, he still remembered to take care of me when I was sick.

To get my parents' approval, he worked day and night just to build a comfortable life for us.

When my family went through a financial crisis, he emptied his entire savings account without a second thought to bail us out.

And when an enemy set fire to our house, trapping me inside, he risked his life and rushed through the flames to save me.

He had inhaled so much toxic smoke back then, yet he still managed to smile and comfort me.

"Don't cry, babe. I'm here."

He had gently wiped the soot off my face.

"You look like a little dirty cat."

But now, this same man was holding my best friend, telling her he would make it up to me by treating me "twice as well."

My mind was a chaotic mess.

On one side was the image of him holding Chloe; on the other was the memory of how deeply he had loved me.

I gently stroked my stomach. For the sake of my baby, this had to end.

With trembling hands, I took out my phone and snapped photos of them.

I wanted to walk over and confront them, to demand an explanation for my ruined friendship and love.

But right then, Isaiah’s phone rang. It was my contact calling him.

I quickly pressed the call button, watching him answer it from afar.

"Eliana, some urgent business came up at the office. I might not make it home tonight."

Suppressing the tremor in my voice, I asked, "I'm scared to be home alone. Can't you do the work tomorrow?"

His voice softened instantly.

"Be good, babe. Once this busy week is over, I'll spend all my time with you. How about I call Mom to keep you company?"

At that moment, Chloe struggled out of his arms and turned to walk away.

Seeing her leave, Isaiah got anxious and hurried to wrap up the call. "Eliana, things are really crazy here. I have to hang up. I'll call you back later."

I watched him hang up and immediately grab Chloe’s arm.

"Don't go."

Chloe buried her face in his shoulder, sobbing.

"I feel so guilty, but I'm so jealous of her. Why does she get to accept your love openly? Why does she get to carry your baby while I can't..."

Isaiah rubbed her back, whispering comforts.

"Eliana is your best friend. She loves you. She will understand."

Yeah, she was my best friend.

She was the girl who stood up for me and fought back when I was bullied in school.

But how the hell was I supposed to "understand" this?

Forcing down the agonizing pain in my chest, I sent Chloe a Snapchat.

[Let's go try on wedding dresses together tomorrow.]

Since you two love each other so much, I'll let you have each other.

All I want is the baby in my womb.