A few days later, I saw Barry again—this time at our graduation party.

From the doorway of a private room, I watched as he held Lyla close, his eyes full of affection.

His friends circled them, throwing out compliments. Perfect couple. Meant to be.

Barry's smile deepened.

After a while, Lyla got up to freshen up.

I turned away fast, blending into the crowd like I was just passing by.

Inside the room, after she left, someone hesitated.

"Lyla's back... What about Amelia? She loves you. Aren't you two about to get married?"

Barry smirked. "Love? She was just a stand-in. Haven't you noticed how much Amelia looks like Lyla? Now that Lyla's back, my fiancée should change too."

A cold chill crawled down my spine. My fists clenched, nails biting into my palms. The sharp sting kept me grounded.

Laughter rippled through the room. Then another voice chimed in.

"Amelia's coming too, isn't she? Barry, you've got it good—both in your hands. But aren't you worried she'll see another chick and freak out?"

Barry chuckled, swearing under his breath. "Another chick? Lyla's my fiancée. Show some respect.

"Amelia won't make a fuss. She loves me. For three years, she's put me first in everything. Ten days ago, a university abroad sent her an acceptance letter, but she gave it up for me.

"She wanted me to go with her. I was planning to—since it would've put me closer to Lyla. But then Lyla came back to Claustria... for me."

Barry's handsome face dimmed slightly.

My heart? Already numb.

Suddenly, I remembered. Ten days ago—Barry's furious accusations. How he snapped that I never considered him, never talked things through.

Didn't matter how much I explained. That my family arranged it. That I had no say. He wouldn't listen. Just turned and left, leaving me alone on that empty street.

Turns out, it was all an excuse.

He had known everything.

And I was the idiot who actually believed he was upset. That I had done something wrong. I even dragged myself out, sick, just to see him.

Now, surrounded by his friends, he looked softer, more tender than I'd ever seen him. And it was all for her.

Barry took a slow drag from his cigarette. "This time, I'm not letting Lyla go again.

"One of you call Amelia. Tell her not to come. Just say I'm busy—she'll go home and make soup for me. She cares. She'll listen.

"And don't mention Amelia around Lyla. I don't want her to misunderstand."

Seeing this side of Barry—so unfamiliar, so cold—I suddenly thought back to three years ago.

The first time we met, he was all nerves, blushing as he tugged at his shirt. "Hey, can I add you?"

Our friends egged him on. My face burned too.

Under Barry's relentless pursuit, I fell for that sweet, awkward boy.

His family didn't have much, and my parents weren't thrilled. When Barry found out, he didn't get mad. He just held my hands, gentle as ever. "Mr. and Mrs. Abel just want the best for you. They're looking out for you. And honestly? I can't give you much right now."

So he tried harder. Treated me like I was everything. Rain or shine, he brought me breakfast. Worked multiple jobs just to buy me handbags and jewelry.

One night, we were walking past a dimly lit alley when a group of drunk thugs spotted me. Their eyes lit up.

Barry's grip on me tightened. He tried to steer us away, but they blocked our path.

One sneered. "They say couples stick together through thick and thin, but when things go south? People only look out for themselves. Relax, I just wanna chat with the lady."

Barry didn't flinch. Didn't let go.

He shoved me behind him, taking their punches and kicks.

I sobbed, begging him to run.

But he just looked at me, eyes steady. "I won't let go of you..."

By the time the cops showed up, Barry was already unconscious—still holding onto me.

After that, my parents finally accepted him.

Barry was always good to me. But his eyes? They were never clouded. Never lost in the moment.

Even in our most intimate moments, there was this eerie calmness.

He'd gently push me away. "Amelia, let's wait until we're married. There's no rush."

Back then, I thought he was just disciplined. A gentleman with principles.

But then I overheard him talking to his friend about Lyla. I saw the way his eyes softened—how real love looked on him.

His friend asked him something, and Barry's voice, laced with quiet disdain, cut through the air.

"I never touched Amelia. In this life, I've only ever had one woman—Lyla.

"Amelia looks a lot like Lyla. I made her grow her hair out, dress like her... But no matter how much she resembles Lyla, I had to stay faithful to the real one."

Lyla, with her long, dark hair and flowy white dresses.

No wonder Barry only ever bought me light-colored gowns.

No wonder, whenever he tucked my hair behind my ear, his eyes were full of regret. Not love.

And just like that, I finally got it.

Barry never loved me. He just loved that I reminded him of her.

I pushed open the door.

The room went dead silent.

Barry's eyes flicked to me, a flash of impatience crossing his face.

I smiled. "I've been listening at the door for a while. I'm not embarrassed, so why are you?"

Discomfort flickered across his expression. His mouth opened slightly, like he was about to say something.

The whole room seemed to hold its breath.

Then, just like that, Lyla swept in like a butterfly, flinging herself into Barry's arms. He caught her automatically, his voice soft with reprimand. "You're not a kid anymore. What if you fell?"

Lyla giggled. "That's why I have you."

Barry's smile deepened. He playfully pinched her nose, eyes dripping with affection.

Something inside me froze.

I knew Barry didn't love me. I had accepted it.

But watching them like this? It still cut deep.

And when my gaze landed on the sparkling diamond on Lyla's finger, the pain turned suffocating.

That ring—one-of-a-kind. A true love piece. Something you could only custom-order once in a lifetime.

I had seen it before. In Barry's pocket.

Back then, I thought it was meant for me.

But on the day of our engagement, he slid a pair of plain, forgettable bands onto my finger instead.

I still remembered the way my parents' expressions darkened when they saw those cheap rings.

I hadn't minded. Barry told me he made them himself.

I even reassured my parents. Told them those were just engagement rings—that I had already seen the real one. The one he'd custom-made for me.

Never, not even in my worst nightmares, did I think I'd see that ring on Lyla's finger.

Humiliation crashed over me. The band on my own hand burned like a brand.

I thought back to my past self, so full of joy, so blind. I had never felt like more of a fool.

Tears pricked at my eyes.

Then Lyla noticed me. Something flickered in her gaze.

She pointed straight at me. "Barry, who's this girl? A friend of yours?"

Barry stiffened. Panic flashed across his face.

Then, instinctively—without hesitation—he denied me. "No. She's not my friend."

Lyla tilted her head. "If she's not your friend, then who is she?"

A thin sheen of sweat formed on Barry's forehead. His gaze snapped to me, cold. Accusing. Like I was the problem. Like I had put him in this mess.

Bitterness curdled in my chest.

And then, just like that, he drove the knife all the way in.

"She's my buddy's girlfriend. She came here looking for him."

The guy next to me jolted out of his daze, then jumped in fast. "Yeah, yeah, my girlfriend. She's with me."

I stood frozen in place.

Barry's warning gaze shattered whatever shred of hope I had left.

Lyla, completely oblivious to the silent war between us, tilted her head. "But they don't look like a couple, Barry. You're not lying to me, are you?

"She's looking at you kinda weird."

Barry's voice turned sharp. "What's weird about it? You're overthinking again... Fine, what would make you believe me?"

Lyla's smile was all sugar. "Have them kiss."

I didn't move. Didn't speak. Just looked at Barry.

He hesitated.

Then, voice flat, he said, "Fine. Kiss her."