Elementary school, middle school, high school—we were never apart.

Until a year ago, when Phil showed up out of nowhere.

"Irene, let's be together."

Back then, I thought all those years of devotion had finally won him over. I threw myself into being his girlfriend, heart wide open.

Now I knew the truth: Phil Cox was with me for one reason. He needed a child.

To spare Claire the pain of carrying one, I became the perfect baby machine.

How absurd.

I sat on the living room sofa in silence, torturing myself with every sound that came from the bedroom.

I don't know how long it went on before the two of them finally walked out.

The instant Phil saw me, a flicker of panic crossed his face.

"Ir—Irene? When did you—how long have you been back? Why didn't you say something? I would've come and picked you up!"

I didn't answer. My gaze stayed fixed on Claire's face.

Phil rushed to explain.

"I drank too much last night, and you weren't home."

"She was just worried about me, okay? Didn't even come over till this morning—don't get the wrong idea."

After that, he watched me carefully, trying to read something in my expression.

When he found nothing unusual, he let out a breath.

"I was just about to come get you."

"The wedding's the day after tomorrow. Let's not fight anymore, okay?"

I nodded and said nothing more.

Phil was right about one thing. The wedding was the day after tomorrow.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, I had no intention of telling him the groom had been changed.

I couldn't be bothered to waste another second on either of them. I walked straight into the bedroom and started packing my things.

"I'm going to stay at my parents' place for the next couple of days. My mom says the bride and groom shouldn't see each other before the wedding."

Phil and Claire exchanged a glance, and the same spark of delight flashed through both their eyes.

I lowered my gaze, pretending not to notice how pleased they both looked.

I packed and mocked myself at the same time.

Either their acting was flawless or I was stupider than I'd ever imagined—I had never once seen what was right in front of me.

That night, back at home, I began sorting through the memories Phil and I had shared over the years.

I was deleting photos from my computer when I noticed it: Phil's WhatsApp account was still logged in on my machine.

Almost without thinking, I clicked in.