Chapter 3

3.

News of my move to London spread through our old college group chat like wildfire.

Everyone was blowing up my phone with congratulations and jokes about not forgetting the 'little people' when I got famous.

I played along, keeping things light and friendly.

The class president suggested we have one last big blowout dinner tonight before I left.

I agreed and set the time and place.

After work, I headed straight to the restaurant.

But my old used car broke down on the highway. By the time I made it to the private dining room, everyone was already there.

And there were two uninvited guests.

One of our old classmates explained, "I ran into Selena and her friend in the lobby. Since you were hosting, I told them to join us."

I just nodded and took a breath.

Selena and Jasper were sitting side by side, whispering and laughing. When she saw me walk in, she rolled her eyes.

"Finally, the man of the hour!" someone joked. "You're late, Wyatt. That's three shots as a penalty!"

I forced a smile. "Sorry, guys. Car trouble. I'll take the shots."

Selena's voice cut through the room like ice.

"You're still driving that piece of junk? It's embarrassing, Wyatt. Do you really have to brag about your car breaking down? You're making us look bad."

I knew she hated that car.

But she never stopped to think why I drove it. I made a six-figure salary.

The only reason I drove a beater was because every spare cent I had went to her designer bags and her lifestyle.

The room went dead silent. Everyone looked at me awkwardly.

The class president jumped in to break the tension. "Sit down, Wyatt. We're starving. Let's order."

As the food arrived, the conversation started to flow again.

Everyone knew Selena was my fiancé.

But no one knew who Jasper was.

After a few rounds of drinks, the class president leaned in, his voice loud with liquid courage.

"Wyatt, I gotta ask. Isn't that your girl? Why is she practically sitting in that other guy's lap? Did I miss a breakup announcement?"

I kept a calm smile on my face and glanced at the two of them.

"They're childhood friends," I said simply. "They've always been close."

I didn't want to air my dirty laundry in front of everyone.

I was just glad I hadn't sent out the formal wedding invitations yet. I had been waiting for the 'perfect' custom paper to arrive.

If I had, the embarrassment would have been unbearable.

"Jasper, try the shrimp," Selena said, peeling one and holding it to his lips.

Jasper leaned in, taking it from her fingers while making sure to lick them provocatively.

"You remembered it's my favorite," Jasper whispered, loud enough for me to hear.

Selena looked at him with a gaze so tender it made my stomach turn. "I remember everything about you. I always will."

The class president's eyes went wide. I just raised my glass and downed the rest of my drink.

Selena had a pile of shrimp shells on her plate.

She spent the next ten minutes peeling the entire platter and lining them up perfectly on Jasper's plate.

I tried to look away, but it was like watching a car crash.

I realized then that Jasper was the one who loved shrimp.

Selena remembered his favorite food, but she always forgot that I was deathly allergic to shellfish.

She was willing to peel shrimp for him, but she wouldn't even pour me a glass of water when I was sick with the flu.

The evidence of her lack of love was everywhere. I had just been too stupid to see it.

When the main courses were finished, the waiter brought out two complimentary fruit platters.

Selena reached for a piece of watermelon for Jasper, but then she saw the strawberries touching it.

She slammed her fork down, shattering the plate.

"Wyatt, did you do this on purpose? You know Jasper is deathly allergic to strawberries!"

The room went into a total freeze. No one breathed.

I sat there, perfectly still. I looked at her, and for the first time, I didn't feel any love. Just exhaustion.

It was funny, really.

Since I walked in, she had only spoken to me once, and it was to insult me.

This was her second time speaking to me all night―and it was to scream at me for her obsession's sake.

I stood up and looked Jasper dead in the eye.

"My apologies, Mr. Sterling. I didn't realize I needed psychic powers to manage your allergies."