A gasp slipped through her lips as her eyes widened. “What? What are you talking about, Em? I never did such a thing!”

“Look, I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t ask you these questions. It happened years ago, and I should just keep it there. But I—”

“It doesn’t matter if it happened years ago or not! I’ve always loved Caleb. I know we were never sure of anything, and also dated other people after our first break up. But I’d never cheated on him. Especially with Ace. He was my best friend, for God’s sake!” Disbelief filled her eyes.

“So, there was nothing going on between you two?”

“Of course not! Why’d you think that?” A frown set between her brows. Soon, realization hit her as she went quiet, guilt flashing over her features.

“I saw you kissing, Tess. If there was nothing between you two, then what was that?” I queried, a sudden desperation rolled my insides. “Caleb told me you guys started dating a month before your nineteenth birthday. Means you were with Caleb when you… What do I think of that?”

I had no right to ask her these personal questions. It was all in the past. But I needed to know.

Both of them knew of my feelings. That other night on the terrace, she told me she’d never hurt me on purpose. Ace’s words and actions proved he remembered every word he said to me and somehow meant it.That’s what I saw in his eyes every time he called me his. I wasn’t sure if he harbored any real feelings for me back then, but he didn’t think I was a fool in love with him. He cared forme and respected my feelings.

That’s what I understood from all his crazy actions and other things. But if there wasn’t anything between them, why would they do that? Why did I find them wrapped around in each other’s arms like that?

What was the reason he became so distant with me and didn’t even call or ask about me for once after that night? Not even when I moved to New York. Yes, after his father’s death, he did get distant with everyone, but not with me. Even at least for once in a while, he used to visit me. Until one day, it stopped. And then came that ominous night. The night my heart broke.

All these things have been nagging me after Ace, out of nowhere, appeared in my life and declared his claim on me.

“Tell me, Tess. Why did you kiss the boy your sister lost her heart to?” My throat tightened, my eyes burned. “Even after loving someone else, even after Ace was just your best friend, even after you didn’t want to hurt your little sister, as you claimed that night. Why?”