Chapter 2

Clara and Dylan had been neighbors for over ten years.

She was five years older than him.

Perhaps, as Clara claimed, she really did only see Dylan as a younger brother.

It was possible she'd never once considered a relationship with him that went beyond sibling affection.

But she was completely oblivious. He, on the other hand, was deeply, irrevocably in love with her.

The way Dylan looked at her always held a hidden tenderness and longing. It had only grown deeper and more fervent with time.

A year ago, Clara and I met at a friend's wedding.

It was love at first sight for me.

Once I confirmed she was single, I began to pursue her relentlessly.

I brought her breakfast every day, waited for her after work, and accompanied her to do all the things she loved.

I made a genuine effort to understand her preferences and cared deeply about her life.

Six months later, we finally started dating.

And then, later, came the wedding.

All told, it had only been a little over a year since we first met.

Our wedding was lavish, with all our friends and family there to wish us well.

On our wedding day, Dylan specifically took time off to fly back and attend.

He walked up to me in a sharp suit, his eyes filled with a wistful melancholy.

"You have to take good care of her. If you ever make her shed a single tear, I swear I won't let you get away with it."

I laughed then, responding, "Don't worry, I'll never let her suffer a moment of injustice."

I initially thought he was just acting like a protective older brother, giving me a stern warning.

Now, looking back, that was probably the first skirmish between Dylan and me.

From that moment on, he had already seen me as a rival.

And I had been completely oblivious.

0