During college, while we were dating, Elias Longheart would bring me breakfast every day. There would be two portions—one for me, and one for my dormmate, Winnie Romger.

For me? It was always the same—buns and oatmeal.

For her? It was always different—a meal that was nutritionally balanced with meat and vegetables.

Even on my birthday, he gave out gifts in pairs.

For me, it was just four simple greeting cards.

For her, it was concert tickets, a handmade crystal collage photo frame, a dreamy white dress, and a promise ring.

…

It wasn't until our graduation trip, when the three of us arrived at the train station, that everything became clear.

The two of them passed through with no issue after scanning their IDs—but I was stopped at the gate.

Elias slapped his forehead in frustration, giving an awkward, apologetic smile. "I was so focused on booking Winnie's ticket that I forgot yours. Look, we've already passed through. Don't waste the money—next time, I'll take you on a proper trip. It'd be just the two of us."

Winnie patted her chest and assured me confidently, "Don't worry, girl. I'll keep an eye on him for you."

Watching the two of them walk away side by side, laughing and chatting, I let out a bitter smile.

I didn't want to keep lying to myself anymore.

I turned and bought a ticket home. "Dad? That requirement for me to marry after graduation? I'll agree to it. As for that internship candidate you suggested—Elias Longheart? Cancel it."

The Beginning

Elias Longheart continuously spammed me with messages on my way back.

"I really didn't mean it, Amy.

"Who would have expected Winnie to get wasted when I was in the midst of buying the flight tickets?

"I knew you would hate me if she got into trouble, so I went to bail her out."

That brought me back to a few nights ago.

…

I was on the phone with him in my dorm. We were in the middle of whispering sweet nothings when the call suddenly dropped.

I sent him a dozen question marks, but it was like shouting into the void—no reply.

A bad feeling crept in.

I didn't even bother putting on shoes before running toward his dorm. I even scraped a large chunk of skin, but I gritted my teeth and limped forward.

And there he was—he had a dark expression as he carried a drunk Winnie, walking right past me.

The cold wind cut straight through my nightgown, sending a chill all over my body.

…

Later, Winnie took the iodine he'd given her and gently dabbed at my wound. "He was just looking out for me, Amy. He didn't want you to worry. At the end of the day, he was still thinking about you."

There were many times when I almost asked her why she called him when she was drunk, or even why he acted like I was invisible whenever she was in trouble. Yet, I swallowed those words.

Just then, Winnie texted me. "Didn't you say you wanted to marry this guy as soon as we graduate?

"I figured I'd do you a favor and give him a thorough test these past few days. How is it? It's a rather big sacrifice I did for you, didn't I?"

I stared at those lines, each word stinging my eyes.

Just yesterday, I had crawled into her bed, holding her as we talked about the future.

"Winnie, you and Elias are both important people in my life. After graduation, I'm going to marry him. You have to be my bridesmaid, okay?"

In my arms, her body stiffened for a moment before relaxing again. "Don't worry. I'll definitely be at your wedding."

My vision blurred as tears slowly fell, one after another.

I didn't reply to her privately.

Instead, in our group chat with the three of us, I typed out each word slowly, "Have fun, you two."

The Trip

When I arrived home, my dad, Thomas, glanced behind me, his expression darkening. "Weren't you on a trip with Winnie? Where is she?"

I forced a smile and slipped my arm through his, acting spoiled. "I suddenly missed you, so I came back early. Let her have fun on her own."

"Oh, Amy." His expression softened a little, but his tone stayed firm. "Winnie is still our nanny's daughter.

"We supported Winnie all the way through college so that her mother could look after you like one of her own. I don't mind removing her allowance if she can't do that."

The smile faded from my face, and it felt like something sharp stabbed into my chest.

…

Winnie was only seven when her mother brought her to join the Whites. I still remember how thin and fragile Winnie looked, standing there timidly like a stray kitten.

When I found out her biological father abused her—and that she sometimes went days without a proper meal—I, an only child, took her in as if she were my own sister.

She had been a part of almost my entire life—even when I started to sense Elias' feelings for me drifting…

…

I still found it hard to believe that she would betray me.

I quickly looked away from my dad, panic flashing in my eyes, and bent down to set my bag aside to cover it up. "Yeah, I got it. I'm starving!"

"We'll meet the Brandises' son." My father's voice followed behind me. "We can start planning the wedding if everything works out."

That left me stiff, and it took me ages before I responded, "Okay, sure."

…

I agreed to meet Timothy Brandis at a stylish cafe, so while waiting for him, I scrolled through my phone, bored out of my mind.

Winnie continuously updated her social media. First, she went to Luna Lake to feed seagulls, followed by a stop at the Shrine of St. Anne's to offer prayers.

Her next stop? Cobalt Ridge.

The places she went were the exact itinerary I had spent a whole month carefully planning. I had been so excited for this trip, yet it all went to waste.

Just as I felt bitter, Winnie got in touch with me via video call. She excitedly showed me how Emerald Rise was while heaping praises on Elias.

"I'm checking him out for you, honey. He's ticking all the boxes so far. He carries me when I am tired.

"A cold drink appears in front of me the second I pout. He even holds an umbrella above me to keep me from getting sunburned…"

My forced smile disappears as I zoom in on her neck. Those faint red marks—like knives—stabbed straight into my eyes.

Noticing something off about my expression, she awkwardly tugged at her collar. "I mean… it's rather windy today."

Before she could finish, someone rushed into frame and wrapped his arms around her. "I warned you not to sleep naked with the air conditioner on last night. See, you're catching a cold. Tonight? No more—"

Winnie panicked, and the video cut off.

I had heard enough, though. 'That voice? It's Elias.'

My mind went completely blank. My hand froze midair, not knowing where to go.

I frantically called Elias, over and over—but he didn't pick up.

…

By the time I was drenched in sweat and slowly returned to my senses, he finally returned my video call. His eyes were full of tenderness like normal. "I was picking out a gift for you. My phone was in my pocket—I didn't hear it. Miss me already? We'll be back in a few days…"

Yet, I could see Winnie standing not far behind him.

She was wearing a jacket—the very one I had dragged her along to help me pick out for Elias for Valentine's Day.

It felt like someone had slammed a fist straight into my chest.

My face went pale, and I struggled to breathe.

I hung up the call in a panic, only for a glass of water to be placed in front of me.

It was Timothy.

I forced a smile that looked worse than crying. "There's nothing to discuss since it's a political marriage. Let's just go ahead and plan the wedding if you're on board."

The Truth

I spent the entire afternoon completely out of it.

I made up an excuse that I wasn't feeling well and left in a hurry.

…

On the way back, I stared at their profile pictures. Only then did I realize—somehow, they looked like a couple's matching avatars.

My hand felt like it weighed a ton.

After hesitating for ages, I finally blocked them and deleted their contacts, but I never expected that Elias and Winnie would show up at my doorstep, showing clear signs of a rushed journey.

With a dark expression, Elias scolded me. "Winnie was afraid that you'd misunderstand us and rushed back overnight. This is all because you blocked us.

"Why throw such tantrums like blocking us? You're an adult!"

I looked at his familiar yet suddenly unfamiliar face, momentarily dazed. For the four years we spent in college, he had never once raised his voice at me.

I used to joke that he was too mature for his age.

Only now did I understand—he only ever lost control of his emotions in front of Winnie, who carefully stepped forward and took my hand.

"Did you misunderstand something, Amy?" she asked. "Elias and I are innocent."

My gaze fell to her wrist. She was wearing the bracelet that he had recently asked me to help him pick out with so much care.

I had thought, full of anticipation, that he was finally starting to care. Now? It only felt like a cruel joke.

Then, my gaze drifted to the fading marks on her neck, and I let out a cold laugh. "So, you were 'checking him out for me,' huh? Did you run a full physical at the same time?"

Winnie paled and instinctively released my hand, only for Elias to support her immediately. "Amelia White, when did you become so bitter and sharp-tongued?"

"What do you want from me then?" I finally lost control of my anger. "Am I supposed to be a fool and smile after seeing my boyfriend and best friend together? Why can't you just admit that you cheated behind me?"

Elias stepped forward, his chin up as he admitted the truth head-on. "Yeah, Winnie and I have been together behind your back for the past two years."

That caused Winnie to panic as she tried to cover his mouth. "Hush. Amy won't be able to take it."

He grabbed her hand tightly and looked straight at me, eyes burning. "Amelia, you're dull, average-looking, overly sensitive, and paranoid. I would have called it quits with you ages ago, if it weren't for Winnie being afraid of hurting you and you clinging to me like a koala."

His words cut through me like a blade.

I remembered the first time we met.

…

I had fallen into a man-made lake while trying to save a stray cat, slipping in myself—and he was the one who jumped in and pulled me out.

Under the starlight, his eyes had shone as he smiled at me. "How can there be such a clumsy girl? You're kind of interesting."

…

A surge of rage and heartbreak rose in my chest.

I pointed toward the door and screamed, "Get the fuck out of my house!"

Elias was not angry. Rather, he laughed coldly, folding his arms as he looked at me. "Your house? Please, this place is Winnie's. You should be the one leaving."

"What did he just say?" I froze and looked at Winnie, who avoided my gaze.

She stepped between us, her voice trembling as she pleaded, "Amy…"

"Why don't you calm down for a bit in the nanny's room?" He pulled her into his arms, frowning. "You're just too kind. She's just the nanny's daughter. Why are you, the Whites' heiress, acting so submissive toward her?"

Suddenly, something clicked in my mind—and I laughed. "Mrs. Romger!"