Chapter 2 

The birthday party ended in a quiet lull, with guests trickling out in small groups toward the hotel entrance. 

Howard held me close, while Celia stood silently on the other side. 

Suddenly, a van hurtled toward us. 

“Move! Is that driver insane?” 

I instinctively turned and saw the van speeding straight at us. Reaching out, I tried to pull Howard away. 

In a swift motion, he pulled Celia into his arms, turning and throwing them both to the ground. 

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A friend grabbed my outstretched hand and yanked me back several steps. 

Fortunately, we were safe. 

“Sally, are you alright?” my friend asked, worried they might’ve pulled too hard. 

I moved my arm and assured them I was fine. 

At that moment, Howard seemed to snap out of it, quickly getting up to check on me. 

“Howie, thank you so much,” Celia said, standing up and expressing her gratitude. 

But I caught a glint of challenge in her eyes, as if mocking me- 

See? When it truly mattered, Howard stood only by my side. You mean nothing to him. 

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I pushed Howard away and walked forward on my own. 

I barely took a step before realizing I had twisted my ankle. 

Noticing, Howard scooped me up and strode toward the car. 

“Put me down!” I struggled to break free. 

“Stop it. We’ll talk at home.” 

The car door shut, and Celia followed us, looking like she wanted to say something. 

But Howard didn’t give her the chance. He instructed the driver to leave immediately. 

Back home, Howard checked my ankle repeatedly until he was sure it was just a 

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sprain. 

He knelt beside me, gently rubbing medicinal oil on my foot. 

I sat on the sofa, eyes closed in silent anger, my mood unmistakable. 

“Sally, I can explain. It was a reflex–l would’ve done the same for anyone.” 

“We were all standing together. You let go of me to save her. You still have feelings for her, don’t you?” 

“I saw you that night, clutching those broken pieces and crying.” 

“You threw them away in front of me, only to retrieve them later like a keepsake. Now that she’s back, I’ll step aside.” 

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The more I spoke, the angrier I became. I stood up, ready to start packing my things. 

In that moment, Howard pulled me into his 

arms. 

“I kept those broken pieces only to remind myself of how foolish I once was.” 

He sat beside me, holding my hand gently. 

“I saved her because it was a life at risk, nothing more.” 

“Trust me, will you?” 

His lips met mine in a soft kiss, and silent tears slipped down my cheeks. Three years of love couldn’t be easily cast aside. 

Howard’s firmness and tenderness soothed my doubts, if only a little. 

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Just then, the front door clicked open. 

Howard and I looked over–Celia was standing there! 

How did she know the passcode to our home? 

Chapter 3