: Untitled

Three years after our breakup, I was hauled off to the police station by my ex-boyfriend, whom I hadn't seen in just as long.

"So you kept our photo even after we broke up?"

My ex-boyfriend watched me with a grin.

Expressionless, I tore the photo to shreds right in front of him.

"There. Not anymore."

'Trying to make a fool out of me!'

'That damn scumbag!'

1

What's it like to go out for karaoke and sing your way into a police station?

I was just at a KTV for the after-party following a company gathering. I stepped out to use the restroom, and when I came back, I couldn't find our private room.

I honestly just spotted a pretty woman leaning against the wall and asked her for directions.

The next thing I knew, several police officers were rushing right at us.

"Police! Everybody down!"

In my twenty-odd years of existence, I, a bona fide coward who's never so much as hurt a fly and gets nervous just walking past a police station, had never seen anything like it.

The moment I saw the woman beside me turn and bolt, I instinctively took off running too.

And that's how I got caught.

"If you don't know anything, then why did you run?"

The officer who nabbed me was young and handsome. He shot me a speechless look as he examined my ID.

I wanted to cry but couldn't.

"I swear I don't know her! I was just lost and asking for directions."

The young officer glanced at me but said nothing. I couldn't tell if he believed me or not.

He did hand my ID back, though.

"Take out everything you have on you. If we check it and there are no problems, you can leave."

Perhaps he thought that, based on my looks, I had nothing to do with any sort of... adult activities, because the young officer's tone softened considerably.

I nodded eagerly and placed everything on the table—whatever was in my pockets, my purse, and my hands.

The young officer unhurriedly picked up my wallet and opened it. Then, his expression suddenly grew strange.

'Was there a problem?'

My mind raced as I tried to figure out what could possibly be wrong with my wallet.

"You—"

The young officer had just gotten a single word out when a knock came at the door, and someone walked in, interrupting him.

"I'll take over here. You go handle the other side."

Hearing that familiar, refined voice, I snapped my head up and stared in disbelief at the person before me, whom I hadn't seen in so long.

My ex-boyfriend, Wyatt Valiant.

"Yes, Captain Valiant."

The young officer stood up, hesitated, then handed the wallet he was holding to the man in front of him.

Wyatt Valiant gave it a cursory glance as he took it. Immediately after, his gaze, full of profound meaning, landed on me.

It finally hit me. I understood why the young officer had been looking at me so strangely.

Damn it. I still had a photo of me and Wyatt Valiant from three years ago in my wallet!

2

I was completely dumbfounded.

To be honest, ever since he broke up with me three years ago, I never imagined I'd see Wyatt Valiant again.

After all, getting dumped is pretty embarrassing.

At least, that's what my mom thought.

Back then, right after the breakup when I was still a complete mess, my mom was already trying to set me up on blind dates.

But I really wasn't in the mood for it back then, so the whole thing just fizzled out. Later, once I'd finally moved on and wanted to find a boyfriend again...

And what do you know, I couldn't find one.

And so, just like that, I've been single for three years.

I looked at the man before me, my expression complicated.

Wyatt Valiant hadn't changed much from how I remembered him. The only difference, perhaps... was that he was a lot tanner.

I let out a long breath, forcefully suppressing the strange flutter that stirred in my heart once more.

Honestly, I don't know what kind of spell Wyatt Valiant put on me. Even after being so devastated by the breakup, three years later, just seeing him still makes my heart skip a beat.

Or maybe... he never truly faded from my memory.

Wyatt Valiant glanced at me and sat down in the chair opposite me.

"Name."

"...Wren Sterling."

"Age."

"Twenty-three."

"What were your plans for this evening?"

"A company party."

Wyatt Valiant set down my wallet and twirled the pen in his hand. His tone was unreadable.

"A company party that landed you in a police station?"

Me: "..."

'It's not like I saw this coming, either.'

I sighed in resignation, doing my best to speak to Wyatt Valiant with a calm demeanor.

"I got lost on my way back from the restroom, asked a random person for directions, and then I got arrested."

Wyatt Valiant gave a slight nod, looking completely unfazed, as if this sort of thing happened all the time.

I suddenly felt deflated.

He was always like this—calm and detached.

It was as if nothing in the world could ever provoke an emotional response from him.

That was once one of the things I liked about him, but it was also the reason we had countless arguments when we were together.

Oh, to be more precise, they were one-sided arguments on my part.

Wyatt Valiant would just watch me calmly until I had finished venting, and only then would he softly ask:

"Are you hungry?"

"Are you hungry?"

The question was identical to the one from my memories, and for a moment, I couldn't tell if I was in the past or the present.

Then I lifted my head and looked into Wyatt Valiant's light-colored eyes, seeing my own image reflected in them.

For an instant, I almost felt as if I were the only one in his world.

But... that was impossible.

"Are... are you asking me?"

I hesitated, pointing a finger at myself.

Wyatt Valiant nodded slightly, stood up, and returned all of my belongings.

"You're all clear, so you're free to go. Want to grab a late-night snack together in a bit?"

Me: "????????"

'How did he manage to switch from official business to a personal invitation so seamlessly?'

"Wyatt Valiant, do you know who I am to you?"

Hearing my question, Wyatt Valiant seemed a bit confused and looked up at me.

"My ex-girlfriend. What's wrong?"

I instantly breathed a sigh of relief.

'He remembers. Good. Then there's no problem... NO PROBLEM, MY ASS!!!'

3

Before I could even think, a woman in a police uniform knocked on the door and came in.

"Wyatt, a bunch of us are getting a late-night snack nearby. You should come, too."

I watched as Wyatt, who had been packing his things, paused for a moment, seeming to hesitate.

I glanced at the officer, then looked away.

'Oh, so he's already found someone.'

I couldn't quite put a name to the feeling in my heart. With a blank expression, I finished packing my things. Just as I stood up to leave, someone suddenly grabbed my arm.

"Wait, I'll take you home."

Wyatt's brow furrowed slightly as he looked over at the female officer, whose expression had become a mixture of surprise and confusion.

"Quinn, you all go ahead. I'm not going to make it."

The officer, Quinn, clearly hesitated. Her gaze lingered for a moment on Wyatt's hand holding mine before she nodded and left.

"Let go."

I frowned, glaring at him in annoyance.

We broke up three years ago. Even if I still had some lingering feelings for him, seeing that officer just now brought me back to my senses.

A lot can change in three years.

Besides, for all I knew, there could be many others like her in Wyatt's life.

Just thinking about it made my heart feel heavy.

Wyatt gave me a confused look. "Do you even know the way home?"

I...

I gritted my teeth. "Can't I just use my GPS!"

'Great. So was I just overthinking all of this?'

'It's true I'm bad with directions, but I'm not a fucking idiot!'

Wyatt's brow seemed to furrow slightly, but he still didn't let go.

"I'm taking you home."

"I told you—"

I was at the end of my rope.

'What on earth is he trying to do?'

"Wren."

The words died on my lips.

That familiar, gentle nickname made my eyes well up instantly, against my will.