Chapter 3

At the time, I didn't even blame them.

Adrian had told me:

"You keep thinking Vanessa has something against you, but the truth is, you've never treated them like real friends."

So when Vanessa asked if I wanted to join them on a trip to Paris, I was happy for days.

"Lily, haven't you always said you wanted to travel with us?"

"This time, all five of us can go. Then Adrian won't have to feel caught in the middle."

I truly believed they had finally accepted me.

It wasn't until we landed that I realized a trip planned for four people had no room for a fifth.

They had booked a car from Paris International Airport that only fit four passengers.

Vanessa looked embarrassed.

"Lily, you go with Adrian. I'll take a cab."

Adrian frowned immediately.

"You get lost everywhere. Stop pretending you'll be fine."

Then he picked up my suitcase and set it back on the curb.

"I sent you the address. Get there on your own."

It was my first time in France.

I stood outside the unfamiliar airport and watched the car pull away with the four of them inside.

The rest of the trip was the same.

Every restaurant catered to their tastes.

Every photo placed them in their usual positions.

Even the hotel had only two rooms booked in advance.

Adrian said we could simply ask for another room when we arrived.

But the front desk told me there were no vacancies during peak season.

In the end, I dragged my suitcase to a small hotel on the next street.

That night, Vanessa posted a photo in the group chat.

The four of them were wearing matching hotel robes and clinking glasses on the balcony.

Ethan captioned it:

【Nothing beats the four of us.】

I stared at those words for a long time.

I typed a response, deleted it, and tried again.

In the end, I only sent a smiley face.

On the day we were supposed to fly home, I couldn't find my passport.

I tore through my suitcase as cold sweat broke out across my skin.

Then I remembered something and looked at Vanessa.

"Yesterday, at the tax-refund desk, I think you were holding my passport."

Everyone turned to look at her.

She searched through her handbag, her face growing paler by the second.

"But I'm sure I gave it back to you."

My voice was shaking.

"Please check again."

Vanessa stopped searching.

Her eyes immediately turned red.

"Lily, what are you implying?"

"You think I lost your passport?"

Adrian's expression had already darkened.

"Lily, right now we need to solve the problem."

"Don't take your frustration out on Vanessa every time something goes wrong."

Ethan checked the time.

"We only have ninety minutes until boarding."

Noah began urging us to move.

"If we keep standing here, none of us will make the flight."