Chapter 5

It was rare for Isabelle to talk to me in such a gentle, pleading way, so I gave in and got in the car. However, as soon as I sat down, something felt off. Sean was riding shotgun, and yet here I was, her actual boyfriend, sitting in the back. The seating arrangement alone made me feel like an outsider. "Isabelle, I can't believe you're driving now, and you're doing such a great job! Remember when I went with you to get your driver's license? You had to take the written test three times before you passed." Isabelle laughed sheepishly. "Of course, I remember! I'm terrible at memorizing things, and you kept distracting me while I was studying. You've got some nerve bringing that up." "You were never going to pass on the first try. I was just giving you an excuse." "So, I should thank you, then?" Sean smiled. "Of course, you should! And if I hadn't helped you practice driving, you wouldn't have passed the road test either." "You sure know how to take all the credit." They shared a knowing smile, a connection that didn't need words. Meanwhile, I sat there like an awkward third wheel who didn't know when to leave. Then, Isabelle turned to me suddenly and said, "Bryce, my mom called earlier. She told me you went over last night and brought up the stuff from the basement. Thank you." I replied flatly, "It's no problem." I looked out the window. "Sean and I went to high school together, Bryce. He left for abroad after graduation and hasn't been back in five years. Last night, we just had a few drinks and caught up a bit. I went to bed before 11:00 pm." Was she trying to explain things to me? I turned back to look at her, catching her gaze through the rearview mirror. She looked a little nervous. Explaining herself in front of Sean like this felt like she was making a stand. If she really had intentions toward him, she wouldn't be saying all this right in front of him. Some of my unease eased a little. Once we got out of the car, Isabelle immediately came over and linked arms with me. I felt my irritation start to fade. At least she cared about me. She hadn't just ditched me for Sean at the first chance. If this was just about reconnecting with an old flame after so many years, I could tolerate it. The restaurant she chose was one we frequented—a place we went to on our first date. Her picking this spot made me feel a bit better too. The tension I'd been carrying in my chest began to melt away. Maybe I was overthinking things. The stuff about me being a "replacement" was probably just drunken nonsense. She hadn't crossed any real lines. If I dumped her over something minor, wouldn't that make me the bad guy? With that thought in mind, I looked at her with a softer expression. "Wow, it's been five years, and the menu is still exactly the same!" Sean exclaimed suddenly, sounding surprised. "Isabelle, do you remember what you said the first time we came here?" Isabelle froze for a second, glancing at me awkwardly. I continued reading the menu silently. Finally, she answered, "I don't really remember." "You've always had such a bad memory! You said you were going to try every dish on the menu, and once you had, you wouldn't come back here again." He laughed brightly, showing off his perfectly white teeth. They looked a little too perfect—probably veneers. "And then we really did try everything, and you really didn't come back. What made you change your mind?" Isabelle's expression turned uneasy. "I... I just thought it'd be nice to come back once in a while." Sean laughed again. "I thought you came back to reminisce about our old times together!" I put my menu down harder than I meant to, making a sound. Both of them turned to look at me, and I calmly asked, "Shall we order?" Sean chuckled. "Of course. I still remember all of Isabelle's favorite dishes. Let me take care of it." He effortlessly ordered for all three of us, picking out all of Isabelle's favorite foods, and even throwing in a dish I liked. I forced a "thanks," but my mood was sinking fast. Apparently, this restaurant wasn't just special to us. It was special to them, too. Yet, here I was, thinking she'd chosen this place for me. In front of Sean, I felt like a fool. When the food arrived, Sean naturally started pouring a glass of water for Isabelle and even used his own utensils to serve her. She didn't seem to mind. Whatever he gave her, she ate. Everything about their interactions was so effortless and normal. As they chatted about how the food hadn't changed, it was as if I wasn't even there. So, I just ate quietly. At one point, I looked up and caught Sean staring at me, a mocking look in his eyes. His gaze was full of contempt, with a smirk playing on his lips. I frowned, unsure if I was reading too much into it. Suddenly, Sean asked, "Isabelle, do you and Bryce come here often?" Isabelle glanced at me before answering, "We've been here a few times." A few? We'd come at least a dozen times. Sean looked at her with an affectionate expression. "I heard from Emma that after I left, you would come here alone all the time. It broke my heart knowing you were eating here by yourself. I wanted so badly to come back to keep you company, but you knew I couldn't. At least Bryce was there to be with you." I took a deep breath and glared at Sean. He was definitely saying this on purpose, trying to make me feel like Isabelle only brought me here because of him. I didn't know if Isabelle still had feelings for him, but one thing was clear—Sean definitely wasn't over her. He was well aware she was my girlfriend, and yet here he was, deliberately stirring up trouble in our relationship. Even if Isabelle had done wrong, he shouldn't have said anything at all. I couldn't hold it in any longer. "It's okay. I'll make sure Isabelle never has to eat alone again. I'll always be by her side." Sean's face darkened, and he glared at me. I calmly met his gaze. Then, he grinned and said, "Can I join you guys, then? I don't have many friends since I just got back, and I hate eating alone." I replied casually, "I'm afraid not. I don't usually bring third wheels to dinner with my girlfriend." "Oh, so I'm the third wheel now." He gave a bitter laugh and suddenly put his water glass down. "Since you mind so much, you should've said something earlier. I'll just leave now and find somewhere else to eat." He stood up as if to go. Isabelle quickly got up and grabbed his arm. "Sean, he didn't mean it like that. Don't read too much into it. Sit back down and join us. You can't just leave halfway through a meal. What are you, a child?" "Yes, I am a child. I wish I could always be a carefree child." He gave Isabelle a meaningful look, his eyes filled with a strange mix of pain and vulnerability.