I pushed down my hunger as I watched Rene and Joshua lean into each other, sharing bites and smiles as if I didn't exist. Even when the plates were empty, Joshua made no move to leave.

I asked Rene, "Do you two live together?"

Joshua shrugged, nodding as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

My chest tightened sharply.

Rene smiled gently, looking at Joshua with warmth in her eyes. "Yeah. Josh lives here on his own, and I couldn't just leave him. His lease was ending, and I had the place empty, so it made sense for him to move in. That way, we can keep an eye on each other."

Joshua reached up to pinch Rene's cheek, and he let out a soft sigh. "Honestly, it's kind of embarrassing. I'm all grown up, and yet I'm still relying on a girl half my size to take care of me. It's easy to get comfortable in a life like this, and even harder to leave.

"These days, girls like Rene—who give so much without asking for anything—don't come around often. You know what I mean, Ian?"

I said nothing.

Rene pushed him lightly, laughing. "You're such a sweet-talker."

They joked back and forth for a moment, and then Rene glanced at her phone. A hint of hesitation crossed her face as she said, "Ian, it's getting late. Do you want me to take you back to your hotel?"

She held out my luggage, and I shoved it away sharply. "Rene, have you forgotten who your boyfriend is?"

From the moment I arrived in this city, Rene had been holding Joshua's hand. She remembered every little thing about his tastes and habits, yet she had no idea I was allergic to seafood. The woman I had always cared for so attentively was now cooking for Joshua herself, feeding him as if I weren't even there.

Even worse, they were living together in my apartment without my knowledge, and now they expected me to leave.

I remembered how I had journeyed all this way with a bouquet, waiting outside for two hours, and the ridiculousness of it struck me like a punch. I should have seen it coming.

After graduation, Rene had refused to stay. She insisted on moving to this city, and one of our mutual friends had warned me that her first love, Joshua, was starting a business here. They suggested I be cautious, but I had refused to let baseless fears stand in the way of her choices.

I supported her without hesitation, believing distance wouldn't change us. Instead, Rene grew colder, eventually skipping our daily video calls altogether.

The past month had been worse. She frequently disappeared, citing overtime.

We were at the point of discussing marriage. I had planned to visit my parents together on my birthday, but Rene was unreachable, leaving me to sit awkwardly with my family in front of a table full of food prepared for her.

She called the next day with a perfunctory apology, blaming a last-minute work assignment and promising to make it up to me with a trip together. I stayed up all night planning the itinerary, even coordinating outfits and dresses for photos at each destination.

As expected, she canceled again two days before we were supposed to leave, dismissing the travel plan I had stayed up all night creating.

Though disappointed, I still agreed. I understood her ambition and her determination to prove herself after growing up with so little.

That was why I came to her city on my own, only to be blindsided by the reality before me.

Hearing that, Rene's expression immediately turned cold.

"Ian Quinton, what do you mean by that?" she snapped.

I suppressed the bitterness in my chest and replied evenly, "You and Joshua are alone together in the same room, yet you expect me to stay at a hotel. Rene, don't you think that's going too far?"

In the past, I had suggested transferring my job here so we wouldn't have to live apart. Rene had firmly refused. At the time, she had been especially resolute.

She said, "Ian, we're at the stage of our lives when our careers must come first. Besides, my schedule is so busy that even if you moved here, we still wouldn't see each other often."

Rene had always been adamantly against living together before marriage. No matter how late our dates ran, she would insist that I take her all the way home. Even when dawn was breaking by the time I returned to my own place, she never once allowed me to stay the night.

She would patiently lecture me, "We're only dating. We're not married yet. You need to understand boundaries."

I respected her stance. Everyone had their own principles, and I never forced her. However, I had never imagined that the principles she constantly upheld would be so easily abandoned in Joshua's presence.

My accusation completely infuriated her. She glared at me and said coldly, "Ian, are you questioning me? Joshua and I have nothing to hide, so keep those disgusting thoughts to yourself. Yes, you bought this place, but I never asked you to.

"As my boyfriend, don't you think providing a home for me is only natural? If you insist on speaking this way, I'll leave."

As she spoke, Rene made a show of packing her belongings.

Joshua quickly stepped forward to stop her and soothed her gently. "Rene, calm down. Don't be angry."

He turned to me with a smug look. "Ian, aren't you overreacting? Rene and I have known each other for years. We're practically family. Suggesting anything improper about us being alone together is insulting. Besides, if there were anything between us, do you really think you would have a place here?"

He let out a cold snort and continued comforting Rene.

She appeared more composed after looking at Joshua. "Ian, come outside," she said.

Rene pulled me a considerable distance away before stopping beneath a streetlight. Her attitude softened. She blinked rapidly, forcing a few tears from her eyes.

I had never expected her demeanor to change so completely in just a few minutes.

"Ian, do you have some kind of misunderstanding about me? Even if that's the case, you can't say something so hurtful. I'm your girlfriend!" Rene sobbed.

I was taken aback. "You still remember I'm your boyfriend? If anyone's being hurtful here, isn't it your actions that are more damaging?"

She sobbed, stumbling over her words as she tried to defend herself. "I haven't done anything wrong, so how can you say that about me? You don't understand—I had a reason for letting Joshua stay here.

"He failed at his startup recently and was hit hard. His mental state was terrible, and he couldn't even pay rent. You know I grew up with Joshua. My family was poor, and if it weren't for him supporting and encouraging me all these years, I wouldn't have made it.

"I couldn't just stand by while he faced that kind of hardship. I was afraid he might do something desperate. I had no other choice but to let him stay. Ian, you understand me, right?"

Tears streaked her cheeks as she looked up at me pleadingly.

When I remained silent, she raised a hand and swore, "I know it was wrong not to tell you beforehand. Don't worry, I'll make Joshua move out tonight."

I was skeptical. "Really?"

Rene nodded firmly. "I promise."

But in that moment, I wasn't sure I could trust her again.

She softened her voice and playfully coaxed me into a hotel. "Ian, rest here tonight. Tomorrow I'll take you out for something delicious, and we can go explore together."

Before I could respond, she smiled, kissed me, and left. That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

The next morning, I knocked on the apartment door again. Joshua, who should have moved out last night, appeared in front of me wearing only oversized boxers.

He rubbed his sleepy eyes, and a bandage was awkwardly plastered at the corner of his mouth. The moment Joshua saw me, he frowned, and impatience showed on his face. "Ian, don't you think it's a bit inconsiderate to come this early and disturb someone's sleep?"

He tried to pull the door closed. I could no longer hold back my anger, shoved him aside, and stepped inside.

The bedroom door was wide open. Rene hurriedly slipped on a nightdress. "Ian, what are you doing here again? Didn't I say I'd come to find you today?"

Her eyes flickered nervously, and she was secretly tucking something under the pillow. I grabbed her arm and pulled her off the bed.

When I lifted the pillow, the object I saw made my breath catch. I froze on the spot, stunned.