As I steadied my emotions, a nurse informed me that my mother had woken up. By the time I entered her hospital room, I was composed.

"You're a wonderful daughter," my mother said, her face tired but attempting a smile as she saw me. I leaned in to adjust her blanket, keeping my demeanor light.

"Really, it's nothing. The most important thing is your health and safety."

A faint worry appeared in her eyes. "Where's that Kolton boy?"

My hand hesitated, but I quickly continued with a casual smile. "Oh, he was here earlier. He got called away for an urgent work project. He said he'll be back later to see you."

She studied me closely. "Be honest, how are things between you two…"

I cut in with a smile, "That's the truth, Mom. Kolton's tied up with work, but he feels guilty about not being here."

Feigning busyness, I tidied the room, turning so she wouldn't notice the sadness in my eyes. In reality, Kolton hadn't visited my mother, and certainly not me.

After my mother dozed off, I went back to my office. As CEO, there were always pressing issues needing my attention. While reviewing the financial reports, I discovered Kolton had unilaterally terminated a major project contract.

"Why wasn't I informed about something this significant?"

"Well, isn't your engagement to Mr. Mendez coming up? And didn't you authorize him to make decisions directly?"

My anger momentarily froze. It was true, I had passively allowed him that power. After my father unexpectedly passed, I hadn't yet completed my studies. Kolton had offered to help, citing my inexperience as a reason to get involved in company matters. I thought, since our families were to unite, it would be fine. But I hadn't realized his overreach.

I called him immediately. "What happened with that contract? We've been working on it for ages, nearly finished, and you just decide to call it off?"

Kolton's voice was dismissive on the other end. "Zendaya's getting married soon. We're friends, so consider it a wedding gift."

Barely containing my anger, I replied, "That project is enormous. We’ve invested so much and are nearly finished. You can’t just dismiss the losses with a simple explanation."

"What kind of gift is so special, Kolton, that you—"

"Enough!" Kolton cut me off impatiently. "Angela, when did you become so petty? You even made Zendaya cry today—shouldn’t you apologize and make things right? This conversation is over."

Before I could respond, he hung up.

Silently, I clenched my phone, recalling the text message. Fueled with anger, I drove straight to Kolton's company.

As I reached the office door, I overheard voices coming from inside. The door was slightly ajar, and I saw Kolton standing with his back to me, clearly upset.

“…What makes me not good enough for you? Angela is crazy about me, so why can’t you see me?”

“For you, I even got involved with someone I don't love. I thought you'd care, but all you could say was congratulations?”

I stumbled, collapsing against the wall, feeling utterly defeated. My mind went blank, and then a wave of despair washed over me. It was all a lie.

Kolton’s feelings for Zendaya had never wavered. Even back then, his pursuit of me was nothing more than an act of revenge. So what does that make me?

Inside, Kolton suddenly embraced Zendaya, kissing her passionately. The sound of their kiss, punctuated by the occasional moan, echoed in my ears. Through the crack in the door, I caught Zendaya’s eye. Her surprise quickly turned into a scornful smile.

Zendaya locked her gaze on me, gently stroking Kolton’s back as if encouraging him. Brazen and provocative.

I clung desperately to the wall, unable to push open the door that stood slightly open.

Kolton, Zendaya, and I grew up in the same neighborhood. In those early days of innocent affection, I was captivated by Kolton’s composed demeanor. But he only had eyes for Zendaya. It was only after she left for university abroad that he turned his attention to me.

I took a deep breath, yet the suffocating feeling wouldn’t relent, forcing me to clutch my heart and bend over in pain.

I’ve never been the naive and sweet type. Though I was taken aback by Kolton’s sudden interest, my doubts grew as I calmed down. I wouldn't allow myself to be anyone’s substitute.

But it was him—he who knelt and promised there was no one else. He who swore with such passion that I was the only one for him.

I glanced up, seeing my tear-streaked reflection in the expansive, modern glass window. At some point, I had started crying uncontrollably. I felt something inside me begin to unravel, slowly letting go.

“Angela?”

“Angela, what are you doing here? Surely you don't think... Oh no, don't tell me you're jumping to conclusions again.”

A voice feigning surprise came from behind, but I didn't bother to turn around.

“Angela, why the silent treatment?”

Kolton's voice was as cool and detached as ever, and it inexplicably sparked a wave of irritation within me.

“Why aren't you saying anything? Are you suspecting something is going on between Zendaya and me again? I've explained over and over; you're really making this exhausting.”

“Or is this about the project? I told you, let's just consider it a favor for Zendaya. There's no need to…”

He was chattier than usual, which was unlike the typical Kolton. I mused to myself quietly. People always say that when you're guilty, you tend to babble—much like now.

Only after the tears had dried on my face did I turn around. Kolton was still holding Zendaya's hand. The two of them stood side by side, comfortably close. Just like when we were kids, I thought wryly.

Despite the three of us growing up together, I was always the odd one out. There was simply no room for me between them.

Surprisingly, I calmly accepted this fact.

When Kolton noticed my gaze lingering on their intertwined hands, he abruptly let go. His face flushed with awkwardness, struggling to find the right words.

“Angela...”

I gently interrupted him, “About the project, discuss it with my assistant, Hadlee.”

“Let's keep it professional. Follow the procedures, and arrange for the appropriate breach and damage compensation.”

With that, I turned to leave.

But Kolton stopped me. “Let's have dinner tonight.”

I didn't look back. “No, I'm busy.”

Yet Kolton, usually reserved, unexpectedly moved forward and grabbed my arm. I turned my head, our eyes met. There was a complexity in his gaze as he looked at me intently.

“We still need to discuss the engagement plans.”

It was the first time Kolton spoke to me so tenderly. I was momentarily taken aback.

By the time I regained my senses, I had already agreed.