Chapter 3

"Yvette, what's going on? I just returned from abroad, and you're already causing trouble?" The man quickly walked over to the young woman, gently patting her head and shaking his head in mock disapproval. She immediately hugged him and giggled, saying, "I've got no one else to go to. Mom and Dad are getting old. They should be asleep by now. I couldn't exactly drag them out here this late, could I? "And besides, I know you were on a date with Isabelle nearby," she said, sticking her tongue out playfully at Isabelle. Isabelle's face turned pale, and when she looked at me, there was both awkwardness and displeasure. "Bryce, how did you end up getting accused of molesting her?" I didn't respond, just stared at the man standing next to her. Earlier, she'd called me a stand-in, and for a moment, I thought she might've been drunk and talking nonsense. However, the truth was crystal clear. There really was a man who looked just like me. She hadn't rushed off because of some emergency. Instead, she was going on a date with him. So, this was her first love Sean Hutton that she had called for. I could tell he had grown up abroad. His body was well-built. Clad in a black T-shirt and jeans, he gave off a sporty, trendy vibe. "I'm telling you, this guy's disgusting! He suddenly jumped at me near the bathroom, groping me all over. And now he's pretending like nothing happened, trying to play the gentleman. Ugh, it's revolting!" Yvette ranted. Sean didn't seem angry at all. Instead, he smiled indulgently at his sister, then turned to give me a once-over. "You must you're Isabelle's boyfriend, Bryce, huh? When I was abroad, people told me she had a boyfriend who looked a lot like me. I didn't believe them. But now that I've seen you, I have to admit, they weren't lying. It's crazy how much we look alike." Then, with a soft smile, he turned to look at Isabelle with an almost tender expression. "Isabelle, do you just have a thing for this type of face?" Isabelle looked uneasy, glancing at me nervously, wanting to say something but hesitating. Sean then shot a stern look at his sister. "Yvette, don't be so mischievous. Do you even realize who he is? He's Isabelle's boyfriend. You can't just say things like that. It could ruin their relationship." Yvette huffed. "Who's being mischievous? He did harass me. Aren't you still in love with my brother, Isabelle? Why are you even in a relationship with someone else? Just break up with him and get back with my brother!" Isabelle could break up with me if she wanted, but no one was going to say something like that to my face. I stepped forward, approaching Yvette. Sean's face darkened, and he quickly pulled his sister behind him. "Bryce! What are you doing?" Worried I might actually hit someone, Isabelle hurriedly pulled me out of the office. Once we reached a quiet spot, she stopped and glared at me angrily. "What were you thinking? Were you really going to hit her?" I replied coldly, "She was saying that you were on a date with Sean. Don't you think I should have taught her a lesson?" "She's young and doesn't know any better. I can't believe you took her word for it! Bryce, I know what's going on in your head. You overheard me talking to Emma and now you're upset because I said you were a stand-in. So, you're trying to get back at me, right? Bryce, you're being so petty and immature!" I was being petty and immature? I was stunned. "So, you actually believe that girl? You think I molested her?" "That's not what I mean." "Then what do you mean?" After three years together, even if she didn't love me, she should at least know the kind of person I am. Even if a woman threw herself at me or took off her clothes to seduce me, I would still keep my distance from them. Why would I molest a young woman when everyone was watching? Isabelle hesitated. "I'm just saying, you shouldn't have—" "Isabelle!" Suddenly, Sean appeared with Yvette trailing behind. "Isabelle," Yvette said smugly. A wave of anger surged inside me. Did she think Isabelle was her brother's girlfriend? I decided to show her my relationship with her brother's girlfriend. Hence, I stepped forward and wrapped my arm around Isabelle's waist. It was the most basic gesture between couples, but to my shock, Isabelle immediately pushed my hand away. I stared at her in disbelief, but she wouldn't even look at me. "Have you broken up with this creep yet?" Yvette asked. "Yvette, stop it!" Sean smiled apologetically at me. "Sorry about my sister. She's got no filter. I hope you won't take it personally." I clenched my fists, letting out a cold laugh. "And what if I do?" The atmosphere suddenly grew tense. Isabelle quickly tried to diffuse the situation. "Alright, we all know each other. Let's just forget about this. Yvette, enough is enough." "Fine, but you have to come hang out at my place tonight! Sean just got back from overseas, so we need to celebrate properly. Let's drink until we drop, okay?" I stood quietly, waiting to see what Isabelle would do. Going to Yvette's place meant going to Sean's house. It was our third anniversary. There was no way she would go to another man's house and spend the night, especially her first love's house. Isabelle bit her lip, then gently pulled me aside. "Bryce, I haven't hung out with Yvette in ages. I'll go with her tonight, okay? You head home first. I promise I won't drink too much, so nothing will happen. I'll text you goodnight before I go to bed." Was she really going? I stared at her, feeling like I didn't know this woman at all. What did she take me for? "Isabelle, be honest with me—am I just a stand-in for Sean?" "Of course not!" She denied it so quickly, as if the idea was laughable. "Bryce, don't take what I said when I was drunk so seriously. If I really thought of you as a stand-in, why would I stay with you for three years?" Her expression was so sincere that I actually started to doubt myself. Maybe I really was overthinking things. "Then, if he confessed to you, would you get back with him?" She shook her head just as quickly again. "No, absolutely not. Bryce, stop overthinking it. We're already talking about getting married. That's never going to happen." Was she really sure? I had been ready to ask for the engagement ring back, but her words made me hesitate. Three years together wasn't something to throw away lightly. It's hard to find true love in this world, and it seemed irresponsible to dump her just because of a few careless words. Taking a deep breath, I nodded. "Alright, I believe you. Go hang out with them, but don't drink too much." As soon as the words left my mouth, she threw her arms around me. She held me so tight, like she really loved me, like she couldn't bear to let me go. The moment she let go, she ran off toward Sean without looking back. I watched her until they were out of sight before turning away. On the way home, I got a message from Isabelle's mom. "Bryce, I heard you're getting engaged to Isabelle?"