He Said Caring For Girl Best Friend Was Duty, So I left Chapter 06

He Said Caring For Girl Best Friend Was Duty, So I left Chapter 06

Owen and I walked away, leaving Derek and Bellamy alone outside the chapel.

Bellamy was in an excellent mood.

She talked the entire way down the mountain.

“I told you Wren came on purpose. She saw us here and followed us.”

“And now she’s dragging Owen into it just to make you jealous.”

She laughed. “Honestly, Owen deserves better. No one should spend years waiting to be someone’s second choice.”

“Shut up!” Derek cut her off.

Bellamy stopped. She stared at Derek in shock.

He’d never snapped at her like that before.

But Derek was already walking away.

From beginning to end, he never looked at her again.

Back at the villa, the first thing he did was pull out his phone.

He called me. I declined it.

He called again. This time, my phone was off.

His expression darkened further.

No matter how badly we’d fought over the years, I’d never disappeared on him before.

Downstairs, Bellamy’s laughter echoed through the house.

She was on a video call with friends, proudly showing off the God’s blessing she’d got earlier.

The sound grated on Derek’s nerves.

He went upstairs and pushed open my bedroom door.

Everything looked the same—my clothes were still there, the bedding untouched.

Then his gaze stopped.

The photograph on the nightstand was gone.

It had been taken years ago—Mr. Collins in the middle, Derek and I on either side, our hands secretly intertwined just below the frame.

The photo wasn’t worth anything. But I’d always kept it beside my bed.

Then his gaze landed on the corner of the desk—where a journal sat.

The color drained from his face.

It finally hit him—why I’d stopped fighting, why I’d suddenly gone quiet.

The door suddenly opened.

Bellamy walked in carrying a plate of fruit.

“Derek, how about we try taking a bath together tonight—”

Her words cut off.

Something in his expression made the rest of the words die in her throat.

His voice was ice cold.

“You took it from my study. You made sure she saw it, didn’t you?”

Bellamy’s face went ashen.

“I didn’t mean to.”

“Besides, she was going to find out eventually. At least now we can stop pretending.”

Derek hurled the journal across the room.

It slammed into the wall.

“Get out!”

Bellamy’s eyes welled up.

“You’re yelling at me? Derek, you’re yelling at me because of her?”

“My brother died for you!”

A bitter laugh escaped him. Then he cut her off.

“Bellamy. I’ve lied to Wren for years. Don’t tell me you actually believe it too.”

“You know damn well whether Colt saved me or not.”

Bellamy’s breath caught. “What are you saying?”

Derek didn’t answer. He only looked at her coldly.

“Bellamy. I’ve spoiled you for years. That doesn’t mean everyone else is an idiot.”

For the first time, Bellamy felt afraid.

Because the way Derek looked at her wasn’t the same anymore.

She took a step back on instinct.

“I just love you. What did I do wrong?”

Derek let out a short laugh. It held no amusement.

“Be gone before midnight. I don’t want you here when I get back.”

Bellamy opened her mouth.

But the door slammed shut in her face.

Derek stood still for a moment.

Then he took a deep breath and called his assistant.

“Look into something for me.”

“I want Wren’s complete schedule for the past few weeks.”

“And Owen’s too.”

An hour later, the files arrived.

The first page was an overseas transfer application.

Applicant: Wren Cross.

Destination: United Kingdom Branch.

Duration: Indefinite.

Derek stared at the document. A strange pressure settled in his chest.

For the first time, he couldn’t catch his breath.

---

That evening, I was having dinner at Owen’s house.

His parents had just gotten back from overseas.

They were exactly as I remembered—kind, warm.

Especially Mrs. Shepherd.

The moment she saw me, her eyes turned red.

“Wren’s all grown up now.”

“You used to follow Owen around everywhere.”

I felt a little embarrassed.

Owen cut in. “Mom, you’ve got that backwards. I was the one following her.”

They all burst into laughter. I couldn’t help laughing too.

It had been a very long time since I’d felt this relaxed.

After dinner, Mrs. Shepherd walked over with a photo album.

“Wren, come look at this.”

“It’s full of Owen’s pictures from all these years.”

Owen’s expression changed instantly.

“Mom!”

But he was too late.

The first page was his high school graduation photo.

Written on the back were a few words.

Waiting for Wren to grow up.

The second page.

Waiting for Wren to graduate.

The third page.

Waiting for Wren to love me.

The tips of Owen’s ears turned bright red. He reached over to grab the album.

Mrs. Shepherd dodged him easily.

“Oh, now you’re embarrassed?”

“You weren’t this shy when you were writing it.”

I looked down at the pages. A tangle of emotions rose in my chest.

At that moment, the doorbell rang.

Owen got up to answer it.

The second the door opened, his face turned cold.

Derek stood outside.

The two men met each other’s gaze across the doorway. Neither looked away.

Derek’s gaze moved past Owen, landing directly on me in the living room.

His voice was rough.

“Wren. I’m here to take you home.”

Owen smiled. Then he slowly stepped sideways, blocking Derek’s view.

“Derek. Did you forget something?”

His smile never reached his eyes.

“The last person she wants to see right now—is you.”