Chapter 3

3

I expected JoJo to stay away for five years like she did before.

I was shocked when she showed up at my door only five days later.

I was coming home from my last day at work when I saw my front door was ajar.

As I reached for the handle, I heard voices from inside.

"JoJo, since we're back for a few days, you should just have the wedding with Nate."

It was Nick's voice.

"Nick, you know I don't want to marry him. The person I want to be with is―"

"JoJo!" Nick cut her off sharply.

"I love you, but he's my brother. I don't want to break his heart. Plus, he saved your life."

"Please, just marry him. Do it for me, okay?"

I heard JoJo start to sob.

"Nick, why didn't I meet you first? Why weren't you the one who saved me?"

My knuckles turned white as I gripped the doorknob.

Even with a second chance at life, hearing the woman I loved talk like that still felt like a knife to the chest.

I stood there for a long time, but I didn't open the door.

I turned around and walked the streets until my legs ached.

In my past life, JoJo always screamed that I used my "heroism" to trap her.

But I had never once brought it up.

I would have saved any stranger in that situation.

I had even asked her, dozens of times, if she truly wanted to be with me.

She always said yes.

I never understood why she said yes while resenting me for "blocking her happiness."

Now I finally understood.

She was only doing it because Nick told her to.

It was pathetic, really.

My phone rang. It was JoJo.

"Nate, I'm back in town. Are you still working this late?"

"Yeah," I replied, keeping my voice flat.

She didn't notice my coldness.

"I'll be here for a week. Let's just get the wedding ceremony over with while I'm here."

I had begged her for a wedding in my past life.

She had called me obsessed with empty rituals back then.

Now, Nick says the word, and she's ready to walk down the aisle.

"If you're busy, we don't have to rush," I said quietly.

She sounded stunned by my lack of enthusiasm.

"Nate, what is that supposed to mean? Do you not want to marry me anymore?"

I was about to answer when Nick's voice came through the background.

"Nate, are you mad because JoJo went away with me?"

The next second, JoJo was snapping at me again.

"Nate, I already told you, I―"

I cut her off. "I'm not mad. I just don't want to waste your time with formalities."

"But if you're both set on it, let's do it. Let's have the wedding."

I hung up before she could say another word.