Chapter 2

On my way from campus to the restaurant,

Moore sent me a message.

【Corinna! Donald said he's going to hang out with some friends alone for a bit】

【But he told me he'll definitely come see you alone this weekend and celebrate with you again. He said his birthday isn't complete without you】

【I'm really the security guard for your relationship. Don't worry, I'll be there the whole time. I guarantee no other girls will get within three feet of him】

She immediately sent a photo of Donald's back.

He was wearing the gray sweater I'd given him, standing by the private room window on the phone.

His fingers were long, clean, with distinct knuckles.

In a trance, I suddenly remembered.

When I was little, I fell from a tree.

Those hands had steadily carried me on his back to the nurse's office.

When I had episodes and smashed things in a frenzy.

Those hands had held me tight from the darkness.

"Corinna, don't be afraid. I'm here. I'll always be here..."

Those hands had also accepted the project introduction letter my dad gave him.

Received the specialist appointment slip my mom got for his mom.

And cupped my face in my most twisted and broken moments, saying I love you.

I scrolled through our past chat records, looking at all those considerate and responsible updates.

【What classes Donald had today】

【What Donald ate today】

【Whether Donald was at the library or playing basketball tonight】

Back then, I'd thought having a friend like this was incredible luck.

But thinking about it now.

If they weren't constantly stuck together, how could Moore know every little detail so thoroughly?

I stared at the photo for a few seconds.

"Where are you guys now?"

Moore replied almost instantly:

"The restaurant! The one across from campus. The atmosphere's pretty good, mainly because it's quiet."

Then she sent another message:

"The private room today has a minimum spend of $2,800. The cake was custom-made too, cost several hundred more."

"And Donald insisted on opening that bottle of red wine. So expensive!"

"But it's fine! It's worth it to celebrate my best friend's boyfriend's birthday!"

In the past, receiving this kind of message, I would've transferred money immediately.

Moore's family wasn't well-off. I'd always been afraid she'd be under financial pressure because of me.

Every time we ate out or went on trips, I'd voluntarily cover most of the expenses.

Or afterwards I'd send her red packets under various pretexts, or give her equivalent gifts.

She'd always decline a few times before accepting, then hug me emotionally.

"Corinna, you're so good."

My finger hovered over the transfer button.

This time, I didn't press it.

"Thanks for the hard work, Moore. Next time I'll take you skiing in Switzerland. You've always wanted to go, right?"

The moment I sent the message.

I happened to stop in front of the restaurant.

The door was ajar, leaving a narrow crack.

My phone stayed quiet for about half a minute before Moore replied with a cute emoji.

At the same time, a sharp, piercing female voice rang out from the private room.

"I've had enough!"

It was Moore, completely different from before.

"She's stuck in the hospital with her illness and can't get out, and now she's being impatient with me?!"

"Donald, how much longer do I have to put up with this?!"

"When she comes back, what does that make me? Huh? You tell me, what does that make me?!"

After an awkward silence.

A male voice spoke up.

"Donald, you can't keep hiding this forever. Corinna will find out sooner or later."

"Everyone in the department already thinks you and Moore are a couple, don't they?"

"At the basketball game last time when Moore brought water, everyone teased you, and you didn't deny it either."

Someone else continued:

"Exactly. Moore and you these past six months... we've all seen it."

"Corinna being sick isn't easy, but you can't keep dragging both of them along like this, right? It's not fair to Moore either."

My heartbeat seemed to stop in that instant.

So... they all knew.