Chapter 5
Raine finally arrived, looking somewhat disheveled in a wrinkled suit.
He’d always been fastidious about cleanliness, yet oddly his shoes were caked with mud–completely out of
character.
After scanning the room, his gaze locked onto Jade. He hadn’t noticed me at all.
Only when he approached within fifteen feet of us did he finally register my presence, his steps faltering.
“Raine! You made it!” Jade called cheerfully.
Raine was every bit the brilliant protégé Mr. Storm praised. A seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions expertly, he immediately recovered from his awkwardness and smiled as he greeted us.
Then, I noticed the gift box in his hand.
Avoiding my gaze, he handed it to Jade: “Finding this took longer than expected, which is why I’m late.”
Having spent years abroad, Jade immediately opened it, letting out a gasp: “Oh! It’s our childhood wish bottle!”
“I can’t believe I wrote that I wanted to be the happiest princess in the world. How childish!” she laughed.
Raine gazed at her with unmistakable affection, his eyes full of tenderness.
She had always been a princess, adored by everyone.
Including Raine, who not only arranged these spectacular flowers but personally dug up a wish bottle buried decades ago.
Yet he’d forgotten today was our two–year anniversary. More accurately, we hadn’t actually broken up yet.
Jade’s face dimpled with a radiant smile: “This is my favorite gift you’ve ever given me!”
Hearing this, Raine shot me a wary glance.
His glance stung me like ice water in my veins, but I deliberately asked: “Does Raine send you gifts often?”
“Oh yes! During these three years abroad, we never met in person, but I received something from him almost every month. Last month was a necklace, the month before a cello…”
So I wasn’t the only one receiving gifts. But Jade’s presents were personalized to her interests.
Meanwhile, mine… last month was a pair of earrings, but I don’t have pierced ears.
The month before was a piano, but I have zero musical talent.
Just random afterthoughts, not special considerations. Yet I was foolish enough to get my ears pierced and take
16.20
Secretly Dating My Brother’s BFT Until His Hotter Rival Stole the Spotlight
2.6%
Chapter 5
piano lessons.
Looking at the scene before me, I found unexpected courage and asked with slight mockery: “You’re so generous with your ‘little sister,‘ Raine. Does your girlfriend know?”
His expression tightened immediately.
Jade’s attention was drawn to a tall figure across the room: “Oh, Uncle Julian’s back! I’ll catch up with you guys
later.”
After she left, Raine pulled me into the deserted garden behind us.
It was winter, and I shivered in my thin cashmere sweater.
In the past, he would have immediately removed his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders, drawing me close. But now he didn’t.
He frowned, his thoughts clearly on my challenging words.
“Lyra, what the hell are you doing!”
The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back tears and asked softly: “Do you remember what day it
is?”
He froze, obviously clueless.
I continued: “It’s our two–year anniversary, Raine. You promised that on this day, we would finally tell everyone
about us.”
His expression became conflicted as he looked down at me, his lips faltering: “I’m sorry… I’ve been busy preparing Jade’s welcome party.”
A royal’s busy schedule means forgetting unimportant matters. But apparently, welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary. How laughable.
“So busy that you couldn’t spare time for a proper breakup conversation?”
Honestly, I’d calmed down considerably over the past few days. If he’d sincerely apologized and we’d parted amicably, I would have let it go.
If I told Maddox, he’d certainly confront Raine physically. But given their childhood friendship, I didn’t want things to turn ugly.
Perhaps finding my question too confrontational, his expression darkened, his brow furrowing: “You used to be so sweet and agreeable. When did you start talking like this? I haven’t even said we should break up?”
My chest tightened painfully.
Sweet and agreeable… was that why I became his consolation prize during lonely times?
tlight
2.8%
Chapter 5
My voice trembled in the wind: “Then let me, your ‘just for fun‘ invisible girlfriend, break up with you instead.”
3.0%
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.