Chapter 2

Matthew stood over me, looking down.

On his wrist sat a limited-edition mechanical watch.

Its deep-blue face caught the fireworks and threw back a cold shine.

Three years into our relationship, I had seen that exact watch once, in a display case at the mall.

Daniela asked if I liked it.

I nodded.

Then she saw the price, and her brows drew together at once.

"A watch that costs six figures, when a plain one tells the time just the same."

"Dylan, don't waste money on something this pointless."

After that, every anniversary, what she gave me was the plainest tie.

And I kept telling myself.

What mattered in a gift was the thought, that a price couldn't stand in for feeling.

It wasn't until today that I understood.

Daniela didn't think the watch itself was pointless.

She only thought giving it to me was pointless.

Matthew lifted his wrist and asked me with a smile,

"Nice, isn't it?"

"I mentioned it once, offhand, back when I was overseas. I never thought Daniela would actually remember."

Daniela's expression turned visibly awkward.

"Dylan, don't read too much into it."

"Matthew turned down his job overseas to come back and help you."

"Tonight's fireworks and the gift, that's just me thanking him on your behalf."

Matthew jumped in at once, smiling.

"Exactly. We grew up together, like brothers. How could I ever steal your fiancée?"

"Daniela was so worried you'd misunderstand, just now she wouldn't even share a spoon with me for the ice cream."

But I had seen it, clear as day.

In that alley, Daniela had scooped up a spoonful of ice cream herself and slowly held it out to his mouth.

How many times had they shared the same spoon.

How much closeness had there been that I never knew about.

Only the two of them could say for sure.

I opened my mouth, but before any sound came out.

The last round of fireworks shot up into the night sky all at once.

Countless golden sparks slowly formed a line of words.

【Matthew, welcome home.】

Daniela's so-called thanks on my behalf became a joke in an instant.

Matthew tipped his head back to watch the fireworks and walked over to Daniela's side.

"We'd only meant for the two of us to see this."

"I never expected Dylan to catch it too."

Daniela didn't explain.

She just tossed the blanket onto me.

"You're not well. Stop letting your mind run wild."

Wrapped in that cold blanket, watching the two of them standing side by side beneath the fireworks, I suddenly understood everything.

Three months ago, I had been trapped in that alley, and I had never walked out of the nightmare since.

Daniela, though, had long since started a new life with someone else.

And that someone, of all people, was the friend I'd grown up with.