Chapter 2

2

Now, I felt nothing but a sharp, agonizing ache in my chest.

That rare, discontinued pocket watch was like a dagger twisting in my heart.

It was supposed to be the token of our love.

We had watched a Broadway play together where a similar watch was featured. The narrator said, "This timepiece represents eternal devotion. Giving it to the love of your life means your love will last forever."

I had spent months searching for that exact limited-edition piece.

Not long ago, I saw the watch sitting in an exquisite gift box at home. Paired with Tara's sudden offer to meet my parents, I naturally assumed it was a gift for me.

Now that very watch was resting against Lucas's chest. It turned out I had just been flattering myself.

After that ruined lunch, my parents told me Tara wasn't right for me.

"Dustin, being from different worlds matters. We know you love her, and she's probably great, but... you two aren't a good match."

Tara had completely disrespected my parents. They weren't angry; they just felt she didn't care about me at all.

My parents urged me to break up with her, and deep down, I wanted to as well.

If my rival was Lucas Holt, I never stood a chance anyway. Who could beat the sacred first love?

When Tara came home that night, I told her I wanted to end things. But she accused me of making a scene out of nothing.

"Do you have any idea how exhausted I was today?"

"You work at the company too. Even if you don't see me every second, don't you know how busy I am?"

"Too busy to meet my parents, but not too busy to grab coffee with Lucas?"

I mercilessly exposed her lie.

She could have just been honest and admitted her feelings for Lucas had rekindled. That would have been better than sneaking around and pretending.

"How do you know about that?"

I was too tired to explain.

I was simply drained.

"Let's break up. Since Lucas is more important than my family, I won't stand in your way."

I thought I was being accommodating. The moment she reunited with her ex, I gracefully stepped aside.

What a considerate boyfriend I was! Yet Tara blew up in rage, smashing things across the living room.

"Do you have to be so dramatic over nothing?" she screamed.

"Fine! Whatever!"

Tara stormed out.

We didn't end up breaking up that night because she showed up the next day in tears. "Dustin, I was wrong. I shouldn't have given that watch to Lucas. I genuinely forgot what it meant, and I got it back from him."

"I really don't love Lucas anymore. It's been years, and neither of us are kids anymore."

Tara had sworn it to me back then.

I loved her so much that I chose to believe her and forgive her.

It wasn't until today that I realized she never got the watch back.

The one hanging from Lucas's neck was the exact same original piece.

I looked down at the replica watch sitting in my pocket and smiled bitterly. Was mine just a cheap fake?

As expected, fakes never held any real value.

I let out a cold laugh. I had been a total fool.

Hadn't I been humiliated enough times already?

I raised my phone, took a picture of Tara holding Lucas's hand, and sent it to her. Then I texted: "Let's break up."