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.

: Torn Photo

4

In the end, Wyatt Valiant was the one who drove me home.

But I had no desire to speak to him the entire ride.

The moment the car stopped at the entrance to my apartment complex, I impatiently unbuckled my seatbelt to get out.

"Wren."

Just as my hand closed around the door handle, a soft voice suddenly came from behind me.

"These past three years... have you been doing okay?"

'Doing okay?'

'How did he have the nerve to ask me that?'

I couldn't help but sneer as all the emotions that had been building since I first saw Wyatt Valiant tonight erupted in an instant.

"Thanks to you, Captain Valiant, I've been doing just great these past three years."

"As you know, my best friend loves setting me up with men. Three years is more than enough time to meet countless guys."

"Does that count as 'doing well' in your eyes, Captain Valiant?"

I watched as Wyatt Valiant's face turned pale, his expression clearly filled with pain.

But I just smiled, satisfied.

Just as I was about to turn and leave, Wyatt Valiant spoke again.

"The photo."

"The photo?"

I was confused for a moment before I understood. I gave Wyatt Valiant a disdainful smirk and pulled the photo from my bag.

In the photo, a younger me and Wyatt Valiant were embracing, smiling at the camera with a sweet, youthful innocence.

I lowered my gaze, tracing the surface of the photo instinctively. Then, as Wyatt Valiant watched with eyes full of disbelief and sorrow, I ruthlessly tore it to shreds.

I let the pieces flutter to the ground.

I stared at Wyatt Valiant, my eyes cold.

"From the moment you broke up with me three years ago, we became complete strangers. So please, Captain Valiant, don't interfere in my life."

With that, I got out of the car and left without a second thought.

To be honest, I don't know when Wyatt Valiant left.

I only know that after saying such cruel, heartless things to Wyatt Valiant, my own heart felt like it was being stabbed.

It was agonizing.

I went back to my bedroom and pulled the covers directly over my head.

'I probably could have forgotten him, if only he hadn't shown up again.'

'I don't want to treat Wyatt Valiant like this, but his appearance shatters my composure. It even makes me feel as if my three years of suffering meant nothing at all.'

'Because I never truly moved on.'

'In my heart, Wyatt Valiant has always been the one and only.'

'After meeting and loving someone like him, I'm afraid my heart has no room for anyone else.'