Chapter 5

　　Tristen wondered, "Damn it. I really spoiled her.

　　"Bravo, Aubrey. Cling to that stubborn pride. When you crawl back begging, we'll settle every last debt between us."

　　On the table were placed the apartment key and the bank card I left behind.

　　***

　　I didn't know when Jerome heard that I had once given a ring to Tristen.

　　That night, I was lying in his arms, sweating profusely. Suddenly, my fingertips felt a chill, and I lowered my head to see a diamond ring securely worn on my middle finger.

　　Before I could even take it off, he forcefully grabbed my hand with a tight grip, and I noticed that he was also wearing a similar ring on his middle finger.

　　Jerome's voice carried a hint of hoarseness. "Aubrey, we had met two years ago."

　　I was stunned and suddenly remembered what my friend had said. I stood up and looked at him, asking, "Jerome, did we know each other earlier?"

　　Jerome tidied up my messy hair, and there was a gentle look in his eyes.

　　"You saved me in junior high school at the street corner. At that time, the medicine I bought for my sister was snatched by a thug, and you helped me snatch it back."

　　Suddenly, a familiar scene flashed through my mind, and I quickly asked, "And what about your sister?"

　　Jerome fell silent for a moment and said, "She's dead. I was a step too slow."

　　I felt a strong sadness emanating from Jerome, and I slowly embraced him, pursing my lips.

　　He obediently nestled in my arms.

　　"After I became a lawyer, I sent all those hooligans to prison. I've been looking for you, but unfortunately, when I saw you again, you were with Tristen.

　　"I made an effort to make friends with people around you, secretly keeping an eye on you. They said you were coming to Wardburg after breaking up, so I immediately rushed to the bar."

　　I suddenly realized and finally understood what my friend meant.

　　His fingers brushed my cheekbone with a predator's gentleness. "What's another two years," he said silkily, "when I've already waited a decade to claim what's mine?"

　　He was smiling, but a twinge of pain flashed through my heart.

　　It was as if I saw myself, who had been chasing after Tristen for five years, in him.

　　Maybe this chance wasn't just for Jerome. It was for the girl who believed in Tristen for five years.

　　I gently caressed the ring on my finger and slowly began to speak.

　　"Jerome, in a few days, a friend of mine is celebrating her birthday in Deville. Will you go with me as my boyfriend?"

　　Tristen's eyes suddenly lit up, staring intensely at me.

　　I awkwardly averted my gaze, saying, "If you don't want to, then forget it. I..."

　　"I want to!" he interrupted me.

　　Before I could even react, he suddenly grabbed my ankle and pushed me down onto the bed again.

　　We had a romantic night together.

　　While I was in a deep sleep, it seemed like I heard Jerome softly whispering in my ear.

　　"Aubrey, thank you."

　　***

　　After Jerome and I had arranged our work, we booked a flight back to Deville.

　　I had known Tristen for five years, and we had many friends in common.

　　For example, at the birthday banquet of my friend Cierra Fisher, I happened to run into Tristen's several friends.

　　When they saw me holding hands with Jerome, they looked shocked.

　　Just as the conversation was getting lively, the door of the private room was suddenly pushed open.

　　The private room, which was just noisy a moment ago, was now deadly quiet.

　　Cierra forced a smile and quickly approached, saying, "Tristen, didn't you say you wouldn't come? Why..."

　　Tristen's face turned dark, sending shivers down their spines. He forcefully pushed Cierra aside and walked straight towards me.

　　"Follow me, Aubrey!"

　　He hadn't even touched me when I was pulled behind by Jerome.