Chapter 2 The Keychain
Iliana suppressed her emotions and said softly, “Alright, I’ll go.”
With all of Bryson’s friends coaxing her like that, Iliana couldn’t find a reason to refuse.
Besides, she was leaving soon.
The time left was the final stretch between her and Bryson.
She might as well treat it as a quiet farewell before parting ways.
Iliana changed her clothes and got ready to head out with Bryson.
After getting in the car,
ed at Bryson’s keychain.
This book had been added on your bookshelf.
It was a pink–and–white bunny keychain.
“B.V.”
In an inconspicuous spot, the letters “B. V.” were engraved.
Clearly, it had been a gift from Bryanna Vaughn.
Bryson had used it for a long time, yet it was still in pristine condition.
When she hadn’t known its origin, Iliana had once jokingly said she wanted that keychain.
Bryson had just smiled and coaxed her, “Lia, this is very important to me. What are you going to trade for it?”
Back then, she hadn’t understood why Bryson would be so stingy with a little keychain.
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Now she realized this keychain was something precious to him.
“Staring at that keychain again?” Bryson teased with a grin. “If you like it that much, I can have someone make a new one for you.”
His eyes sparkled with affection.
Iliana used to love those eyes.
Now, she realized it was probably those very eyes that had given her the illusion that he loved her.
After a long silence, Iliana just shook her head. “No need, Brys. I’m past the age of liking that kind of thing.”
She no longer wanted the keychain.
She no longer wanted Bryson’s love either.
This book had been added on your bookshelf.
Bryson only ruffled her hair with a smile, then drove to the club.
By the time they arrived, the place was already buzzing.
The moment the others saw Iliana, the teasing began.
“Only Bryson’s girlfriend could’ve dragged him here, otherwise we’d have been stood up tonight!”
Bryson wrapped an arm around her and guided her to a seat.
In the dimly lit room, Bryson stood out from the crowd.
He was refined, aloof, and effortlessly superior.
He knew Iliana was shy and reserved, so when the jokes around her got too much, Bryson calmly stepped in.
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“You’ve all been drinking. Stay back a little. Don’t get your reeking alcohol breath all over Lia.”
“Exactly.”
Someone chimed in, chuckling. “Iliana doesn’t drink, right? Juice or milk? I’ll get it sent over.”
Bryson rarely let her drink. He gently touched her head and asked in a low voice, “Milk, then?”
His voice was soft, and his eyes were full of affection. It was this gentleness that had drawn her in since her youth.
But at this moment, it felt dull.
She wasn’t a child anymore.
Gentleness wasn’t the same as love.
“Anything’s fine,” she replied quietly.
Milk soon arrived.
Everyone was polite and considerate. Even the smokers made sure to avoid Iliana.
And no one made any lewd jokes.
Still, Iliana felt nothing but emptiness.
Bryson noticed and asked gently, “Lia, are you feeling unwell?”
Everyone turned to look, concern in their eyes.
“Iliana, are you okay? We can make a lot of noise sometimes. Did we annoy you?”
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Iliana glanced at them and suddenly remembered the intimate way Bryson’s friends had talked about Bryanna the other day.
It became very difficult for her to keep up the act.
“I’m fine. It’s just a little stuffy in here. I’m going out for some air.”
“OK,” Bryson smiled, draping his coat over her shoulders. “It’s cold outside. Wear this.”
Iliana quietly left the room.
The night wind was chilly, and Iliana stared at the starry sky. Memories of her and Bryson played like a slideshow in her mind, but the ache in her chest wouldn’t fade.
Bryanna was Bryson’s first love.
And Bryson was Iliana’s first love.
But Bryson didn’t love her back.
Just as Iliana was in a trance, a familiar figure appeared not far off.
It was a woman in a white dress, with elegant features that faintly mirrored Iliana’s.
It was Bryanna.
Iliana froze for a moment.
She had thought Bryson wouldn’t let her and Bryanna cross paths, but he’d invite Bryanna as well.
Suddenly, she recalled what Bryson had said earlier, “Unless my sweetheart agrees to come with me, I’m not going anywhere.”
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Was he referring to her or Bryanna?
Iliana clenched her hands, her chest tight. She involuntarily followed.
The door to the private room wasn’t fully closed.
Bryanna pushed the door open and walked in, clearly familiar and at ease with Bryson’s friends.
As soon as they saw her, everyone beamed and called out cheerfully, “Finally! Brys‘ been waiting for you!”
“No kidding. Brys wasn’t in the mood for anything before you showed up!”
“Stop talking nonsense.”
Bryson cut in flatly, but he didn’t stop Bryanna from sitting down right
next to him.
Iliana watched it all with a strange calmness, numb and hollow.
Sure enough.
Everyone around Bryson knew about Bryanna.
In their eyes, his true love had always been Bryanna.
Just then, her phone buzzed with a text.
Iliana checked the message, and it was from Bryson.
“Don’t worry, I will behave myself. I won’t touch any other women. Just drinking with the guys.”
Attached was a photo of him holding a drink.
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Updating each other on their whereabouts was their usual routine.
Iliana was no different from any ordinary girl when in a relationship.
Clingy, possessive, and deeply insecure.
So to ease her mind, Bryson always checked in whenever she wasn’t around.
But in the very next second.
Iliana’s gaze fell on the hand Bryson had casually draped around Bryanna’s shoulder.
They looked intimate, like lovers.
Just moments ago, he promised her he’d behave, but now he was holding the one woman she hated most.
As Iliana stared at them, something inside her died for good.
Maybe it was time to end all this.
She used her phone to book a flight to Baycastle 29 days from now.
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