She finally said it.

I looked at her face, feeling no anger, no grievance, no sadness.

My heart was a tranquil sea.

Instead, I felt a strange sense of accomplishment, like I'd just solved a riddle.

"Sure. Let's go."

As the words left my mouth, I confirmed it again: I didn't feel hurt at all.

I went to the airport with her.

For all the years I'd been with Zoe, the existence of Jayce was a suffocating thought.

It was like a sharp claw gripping my heart, then tightening around my throat.

But now, watching Jayce walk towards us, pulling his suitcase, I felt not a single ripple of emotion.

Zoe, beside me, was a bundle of nerves, constantly adjusting her clothes.

Finally, she looked at me, needing reassurance.

"Does this outfit look okay today?"

"Relax, you look great."

In all our years together, I had never seen Zoe care so much about her appearance in front of me.

Before, I'd have to beg her to go out with my friends.

Every time, she'd just grab a random jacket from the closet and walk out the door.

At the gatherings, her face would be a mask of gloom.

When I spoke to her, her eyes would be filled with impatience and disdain.

When my friends asked about our relationship, she would only say we were friends.

She never once publicly acknowledged me…

Right, being a simp must be really pathetic, huh?

No wonder Zoe never gave me a second glance.

Jayce wheeled his suitcase towards us.

He first gave Zoe a hug, only then noticing my presence.

He looked me up and down, then asked Zoe, "Zoe, this handsome guy is…"

Zoe glanced at me, a hint of guilt in her eyes, before saying, "A friend of mine, Cole Weston…"

She said friend, not boyfriend…

For a split second, my heart ached so much I could barely breathe.

But the piercing pain quickly subsided.

I felt… like I was suddenly free.

Following her lead, I extended a hand to Jayce.

"Zoe's missed you a lot these past five years. Welcome back."

Hearing me say that, the guilt on Zoe's face turned to shock.

She stared at me, her expression shifting again and again.

I found it hilarious.

Was she shocked that I didn't expose her, that I didn't immediately declare myself as her boyfriend to Jayce?

Shouldn't she be happy that I played along?

This wasn't the first time Zoe had denied me as her boyfriend to others.

When her old college roommate came to Aeston for a visit, and I helped her host, she introduced me as just a friend then, too.

That night, I fought with her for the first time, demanding to know if she was ashamed to have me as her boyfriend.

Faced with my frantic, hysterical outburst, she just gave a cold smile, not even deigning to say a single word.

Her condescending gaze was like she was watching a clown throwing a tantrum.

Thinking back, I was so foolish then.

It was just a title. Whether she acknowledged it or not didn't really matter that much.

Jayce reached out and patted my shoulder. "Thanks for taking care of Zoe for me these past five years."

Before I could respond, Zoe cut in, "Alright, you two just met, don't get all sentimental on me."

I let out a self-deprecating laugh. Zoe really didn't know me at all.

She was still worried I'd talk too much to Jayce and let our relationship slip.

But she seemed to forget, my personality was never one to drag things out.

Jayce affectionately tapped her nose with his finger. "I've been on a plane all day, I'm starving. Take me to get something to eat!"

Jayce skillfully changed the subject. Zoe's eyes curved into a smile. "What do you want to eat?"

"Hot pot."

The three of us then walked to the parking garage.

This time, I didn't open the passenger door for Zoe, and she naturally sat in the back with Jayce.

She talked to Jayce the entire way, asking about his time abroad, laughing from time to time.

In my memory, Zoe had never been so lively.

Perhaps the person she was with Jayce was her true self.

Thinking about my past self, pouring my heart out for five years without getting an equal response from Zoe…

She wasn't even willing to show her true self to me.

What a failure.

I think it's time for me to wake up.

Jayce and Zoe chatted away, completely ignoring me as if I were thin air.

But that was fine. If I didn't join their conversation, I wouldn't feel awkward.

I glanced at my reflection in the rearview mirror, a faint smile on my face, looking like an irrelevant bystander.

Following Zoe's directions, I drove them to a small hot pot place in Aeston.

It was in a remote area, a maze of winding alleys filled with residential homes. The clothes hanging out to dry in the winter air were stiff, and the smell of barbecue and skewers made my stomach turn.

I had never seen Zoe eat in a place like this.

Now she walked side-by-side with Jayce, her eyes fixed on him.

The snow crunched under their feet. I slowed my pace, but Zoe didn't notice.

I watched their backs. Zoe was wearing a white down jacket today, a perfect match for Jayce.

She even reached out to steady Jayce when he slipped on the steps.

The hot pot restaurant was bustling, mostly with students from the nearby university. I followed them in.

"Ah! It's you two! Haven't seen you in years. You must be married by now, right?"

The owner greeted them cheerfully.

I pulled back the curtain and walked in, just in time to hear that.