I closed my eyes slowly and answered that question.
“I want to leave him…”
“If you’re certain, there’ll be no turning back. Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
When I regained consciousness, evening was already approaching.
The party had begun.
My phone buzzed with messages asking when I’d arrive—not a single one from Ryan.
When I finally got to the Karaoke Room, I heard Ryan’s voice from inside.
“My confession plan has to stay secret. I can’t let it fail.”
His tone carried both excitement and anticipation.
“Ryan, haven’t you ever thought about Claire? You two grew up together. I don’t think she’s any worse than Emily.”
Ryan went silent for a while.
“We’re just friends. I could never like her. To me, she’s nothing more than a friend—past, present, or future.”
In that moment, my heart clenched like it was being torn apart.
“Ryan, don’t get ahead of yourself. What if Emily ends up marrying someone else? What would you do then? Find another girl just like her?”
Ryan didn’t respond.
I guessed he took those words to heart—that’s why the me ten years later would exist.
“If you’re not interested in Claire, then I’ll go after her. A girl that good, and you don’t even notice? I’d be more than happy to.”
Ryan chuckled.