he boutique was unusually quiet that afternoon.
Sunlight streamed through the glass walls of Suria KLCC, casting soft shadows across the rows of silk and lace. Emily was reorganizing a shelf of bridal veils when May, her co-worker, popped her head around the divider.
"There's a guy asking for you," May whispered, her eyebrows waggling. "Kind of cute. Designer-ish. Definitely not your average customer."
Emily froze, veil still in her hands. "What does he look like?"
May smirked. "Tall. Gray T-shirt. Sunglasses indoors. That kind of swagger."
Her heart skipped a beat.
Kai.
She stepped around the corner, and there he was—lean frame, sun-warmed skin, his usual canvas messenger bag slung across his body like nothing had changed. But everything had.
"Emily," he said with an easy smile. "Long time."
"What are you doing here?" she asked, managing a calm she didn't feel.
Kai shrugged. "Had a meeting nearby. Thought I'd stop by. You're not an easy woman to find, you know."
Emily caught May's not-so-subtle glance from the side and shifted her stance. "It's a workday. I'm busy."
Kai raised both hands, playfully defensive. "Relax. I'm not here to cause a scene. Just wanted to see how you're doing—and maybe ask how Ryan's doing too."
Emily's spine stiffened. "You should talk to him."
"He's been... distant," Kai said, lowering his voice. "Thought maybe you'd know why."
Before she could answer, the chime over the door rang again.
Lucas stepped in, a shadow cutting through sunlight.
He looked effortlessly sharp—business shirt rolled to his elbows, dark pants pressed to perfection, and his presence carrying the quiet authority of someone who knew exactly what room he was walking into.
His eyes scanned the space. Then paused on Kai. Then on her.
"Emily," he said simply.
Kai turned, adjusting his sunglasses.
"You found her," he said with a short laugh.
Lucas offered a hand, expression unreadable. "Lucas Lee. Ryan's brother."
"Kai," he replied, matching the handshake. "Old friend."
Emily couldn't breathe for a second. She glanced between the two men. The handshake ended, but the tension stayed, like static in the air.
Lucas turned to her. "You're off soon, right?"
She nodded quickly. "Fifteen minutes."
"I'll wait outside."
He glanced at Kai once more. "Pleasure."
Kai offered a lopsided grin. "Likewise."
The moment the door closed behind Lucas, Kai exhaled sharply. "So... that's the brother."
"What do you want, Kai?" Emily asked, keeping her tone even.
Kai shrugged. "I don't know. Closure? Curiosity? Ryan's different. You're part of that."
"You had your chance," she said, her voice cool. "You chose something else."
He leaned in slightly, voice low. "I made mistakes, but I didn't stop caring."
She didn't blink. "Then let him go."
That made him pause.
"I guess I needed to hear that," he murmured.
He turned and walked out, slipping into the crowd beyond the glass.
Emily let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"Whoa," May whispered, reappearing at her side. "Your fake fiancé's brother and your real ex in the same ten minutes? That's some drama."
"Don't even start," Emily said, brushing past her toward the break room.
Outside, Lucas leaned against a sleek black sedan, arms crossed.
"Friend?" he asked as she approached.
"Ex," she said without hesitation.
Lucas nodded slowly. "He said he was Ryan's friend."
"They were more than that. But it's... complicated."
He tilted his head slightly. "Everything about this arrangement seems to be."
Emily glanced at him, uncertain if it was judgment or observation. "We're doing our best."
Lucas said nothing, just moved to open the car door for her.
The drive was short, but the silence stretched between them like a second passenger.
"I don't like unclear motives," he said at a red light.
"I don't either," she replied. "But not everyone lies."
Lucas didn't respond.
When they reached her apartment building, he stepped out first, glancing around the street. It was quiet, the sun beginning to dip behind the high-rises of Kuala Lumpur's city center.
"I'll walk you up," he said.
"I'm okay," Emily replied, forcing a smile.
Lucas looked at her for a beat. "I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing it for Ryan."
That made her pause. "I know."
The elevator ride was short. Neither spoke.
At her door, she turned the key but didn't open it right away.
"You still think I'm hiding something," she said quietly.
Lucas met her eyes. "I think... I haven't figured you out yet."
"That makes two of us."
He gave her a curt nod. "Goodnight, Emily."
"Goodnight."
Alone in her apartment, Emily dropped her keys into the bowl by the door and leaned against it, eyes closed.
Two visits in one day.
One from the past.
One from the one who might rewrite the future.
And both of them watched her like she was the key to something she didn't ask to open.