The Last Kiss Before I Knew the Truth

I have an ability that I can't tell anyone about—whenever I'm intimate with my girlfriend, I can see what she was doing exactly one hour earlier. In the past, what I see is her secretly buying sexy lingerie to surprise me; or her carefully following a recipe to cook my favorite dishes; or her nervously standing in front of a mirror, checking her makeup and dress over and over as she nervously prepares to propose to me. For seven years, everything she does in that one hour is always about me. Until three days before our wedding. The moment she kisses me, a vision suddenly flashes before my eyes. In a dimly lit lounge, she has my best friend, Tyler Reed, pinned against the door. He turns his head away, his voice strained as he speaks. "We can't keep doing this! Logan is my best friend. I can't betray him…" But Avery Goodwin unbuckles his belt, her voice hoarse with desire. "I'm marrying him in three days. Let's just have fun one last time." The scene vanishes in a flash. Back in reality, Avery is still nestled in my arms, gently kissing my cheek. "Logan, we're going to be married soon. Are you happy?" I stare into her loving eyes, and suddenly let out a soft laugh. So, it turns out there is a third person in her one hour after all. Chapter 1 After speaking, Avery Goodwin leaned in to kiss me again. Her lips brushed against my face with the same gentleness she'd shown me countless times before. There was even a hint of tenderness from knowing our wedding was only days away. But my body had turned completely rigid. And the next second, another vision flashed before my eyes. Tyler Reed's shirt hung open at the collar, and there was a faint smear of lipstick at the corner of his mouth. He leaned against Avery, laughing softly. "Logan is too skinny. I went with him to his tux fitting yesterday. He could barely fill out the shoulders or chest." Avery let out a quiet laugh. "He is too skinny. Every time I hug him, it's like hugging a bag of bones." Tyler immediately frowned, as if standing up for me. "How can you say that about him? Logan is my best friend." But after saying that, he turned toward her and asked in a teasing tone, "What about me? How's my body? Does it feel good when you hold me?" Avery didn't answer. She merely moved her hand down his body and tightened her grip. That silence was more jarring than any answer could've been. Tyler smiled. "Forget it. I'm not going to compete with Logan. He waited seven years for you. I kind of feel sorry for him." The vision ended abruptly. Back in reality, Avery was still holding me. A chill spread through my stomach. Unable to take it any longer, I pushed her away. Caught off guard, she stumbled back half a step. She frowned. "Logan, what's wrong?" I pressed a hand against my chest and shook my head. My face had already turned deathly pale. Suddenly, the electronic lock at the door beeped. A second later, the door swung open, and Tyler walked in wearing nothing but a pair of shorts. A faint woody scent wafted from his skin. It was the exact same scent coming from Avery's body. Smiling, he said, "Logan, my water heater broke. Your place is so close, so I figured I'd come borrow your shower." I looked at him. For the first time, my expression was cold. "Tyler, do you think it's appropriate to show up at my house dressed like that?" Chapter 2 Tyler froze for a second before quickly lowering his head with a smile. "Sorry. I've been living overseas for too long. I don't think about things like that." Avery stepped in front of him almost immediately and said, "Logan, Tyler's been abroad for so many years. He's just used to living this way. You're reading too much into it." Watching her shield Tyler so protectively, I suddenly found the whole thing absurd. Of course, I knew Tyler had been living abroad. I was the one who sent him there, after all. Back then, when he couldn't scrape together enough money for his first year of tuition fees, I'd transferred him every cent I'd saved over two years. The day we said goodbye at the airport, he pulled me into a tight hug and said, "Logan, you're the best friend I've ever had. When I come back, I'll definitely be your best man when you get married." Later, Avery started making frequent business trips overseas. I'd even sincerely ask her for a favor. "Tyler is all alone in a foreign land and doesn't know anybody there. If you have time, could you look out for him a little?" She'd ruffled my hair and laughed at how soft-hearted I was. And I'd laughed too. I had thought the only reason they knew each other was because of me. But after that, every time Avery flew to that city, she would stop by to see Tyler. At first, she'd even send me photos and updates. "The grocery store near Tyler's campus closes early, so I brought him a few things." "Tyler's stressed out about his thesis lately, so I took him out for dinner." Eventually, Avery began frequently appearing in Tyler's social media posts. She helped him carry his luggage. She accompanied him to the hospital. Even on his graduation day, the person standing beside Tyler in photos was Avery. It wasn't that I'd never felt uncomfortable. But every time, I'd remind myself that Tyler was my best friend, and Avery was taking care of him because of me. Only now, I finally understood. Some boundaries weren't crossed all at once. Tyler was still standing by the entryway, his expression indifferent. "Logan, if this bothers you, I'll leave right now." He said he'd leave. Yet, his legs didn't move an inch. Avery frowned. "It's late, and your water heater is broken. Where are you supposed to shower? Just go use our shower." I didn't say anything more. Then, my gaze suddenly fell on the watch on Tyler's wrist. A few days ago, I saw the receipt for that watch in Avery's study. It cost ten times more than what she had spent on my wedding band. At the time, I thought it was a wedding gift Avery had gotten for me. I secretly looked forward to it, even imagining how happy I'd be if she fastened it onto my wrist on our wedding day. But now, that watch was sitting on Tyler's wrist. I lowered my gaze to the wedding band on my own hand. It was simple, plain, and very cheap. When Avery had slipped it onto my finger, she'd said, "The price of a wedding band isn't important. It's the thought that counts." At the time, I had been genuinely touched. I hadn't thought she wasn't the romantic type, but that she simply cared more about meanings than appearances. Now, I knew that even sincerity had favorites. Tyler walked into the living room with his head hung low. As he passed me, the scent of his cologne became stronger, and my fingers curled into fists. But he acted as though nothing had happened, moving toward the bathroom with effortless familiarity. Avery opened a cabinet and handed him a brand new bath towel. It was a light gray one that was part of a matching couple set I'd bought for our new life after marriage. I had planned to use them together for the first time after our wedding. Tyler accepted the towel naturally. "You're so thoughtful. Logan has trained you well." Avery's voice lowered as she gently reminded him, "Watch your step. The floor might be slippery." The bathroom door closed, and the sound of running water soon filled the house. Standing in the living room, I suddenly felt like a guest in my own home. This was supposed to be Avery and my new house. Yet, Tyler knew the passcode and walked in half-naked. He used the new towel I'd bought, and wore the watch I'd thought was my wedding gift. And Avery didn't see anything wrong with it. She even came over to me, as if she finally had time to comfort me. "Logan, don't overthink it. You and Tyler are so close. I'm only looking after him because of you." I didn't look up. After a long silence, I simply hummed in response. Avery seemed to relax, probably thinking she had successfully calmed me down again. As the shower continued to run, I returned to the bedroom and shut the door. My phone buzzed with a message from our wedding planner. "Mr. Clark, we need final confirmation on the wedding poster tonight." I lowered my head and typed, "Make one adjustment—change the name." A reply came almost instantly. "Mr. Clark, do you mean the groom's name on the poster?" A bitter smile tugged on my lips as I replied, "Yes. Change the groom's name to Tyler Reed." Chapter 3 The next morning, when I walked out of the bedroom, breakfast was already waiting on the table. Avery stood in the kitchen doorway with her sleeves rolled up, acting as though nothing had happened. "You're awake. Did you sleep well last night?" My gaze landed on the glass of warmed milk. For a moment, I got lost in thought. I used to have a sensitive stomach. Avery used to take the milk out of the fridge half an hour early so it would be the perfect temperature by the time I drank it. She'd said that milk that was too hot or too cold would upset my stomach. Back then, I'd always thought that if someone could remember something as small as that, how could they not love you? Yet, now, she still remembered all those little details. But I could no longer tell the difference. Was it love, or simply a habit formed over seven years? Avery slid a watch box across the table toward me. "Last night, I noticed you kept eyeing Tyler's watch. My Logan deserves a nice watch too," she said in a gentle voice, her eyes filled with affection. I looked down at the watch. It wasn't the same brand as Tyler's. The design was very similar, but the price was much lower. Avery walked behind me and adjusted my shirt collar. The moment she tilted her head up and softly kissed the back of my neck, another vision flashed into my view. The watch store was brightly lit. Tyler sat at the counter, examining a watch—the very same one Avery was giving me now. He picked it up and fastened it around his wrist. After staring at his reflection for a few seconds, he frowned. "It's too plain. The face is too small, and it's a little uncomfortable. I don't want it." He casually removed it and set it back on the counter. Avery didn't tell the sales clerk to put it away. Instead, she stared at the watch for a few seconds before saying calmly, "Wrap it up." Tyler blinked in surprise, then laughed. "For Logan?" Avery nodded. "He wasn't very happy last night. I'll buy him this watch to cheer him up." Tyler immediately frowned, looking as if he genuinely felt sorry for me as he spoke. "You can't just brush off his concerns like that. Logan is my best friend." Avery smiled. "He won't hold a grudge. As long as the gift is from me, he'll love it." Tyler picked up the watch and twirled it between his fingers. "That's true. Logan has never been picky. I used to post him my old suits, and he'd happily wear them to work." Avery didn't argue. She simply handed over her card and paid. My breath caught in my throat. Because during Tyler's first few years overseas, he was always short on money. I was worried he'd suffer alone in a foreign country, so I lived frugally to save money and sent it to him. Back then, I wouldn't even allow myself to buy new clothes. So, every now and then, Tyler would post me some of his old designer jackets. I never complained. At the time, I thought that was what friends did. Only now did I understand that I had spent years getting used to accepting the things Tyler didn't want. By the time the vision shattered, the cold watch was already fastened around my wrist. Avery leaned close to my ear, her breath warm. "Do you like it?" I removed the watch and placed it back in the box. My voice was quiet. "It's a little uncomfortable." Avery froze, probably confused why I'd said the exact same words Tyler had said. But she quickly dismissed the strange coincidence as me still being upset. She likely assumed I was still throwing a tantrum. Reaching out, she patted my shoulder. "The wedding is only two days away. Don't let yourself stay unhappy." I lowered my head and smiled. She thought I was upset because I was jealous. But what she didn't know was that I no longer even had the energy to be jealous. Just then, my phone lit up. A message from the wedding planner popped up. "Mr. Clark, we need final confirmation on tonight's wedding rehearsal schedule. Is there anything you'd like to add to the ceremony?" I stared at the message for a long time. Then, I lowered my head and typed my reply. "Yes. I'd like to add a vow-reading segment before the ceremony begins." Chapter 4 On the day of the wedding, I arrived at the hotel as planned. As the stylist adjusted my tuxedo, she smiled and said, "Mr. Clark, you look so handsome today." I looked at myself in the mirror. I really did look like a groom eagerly waiting to marry the love of his life. But only I knew the truth. Today's wedding wasn't about me marrying Avery. It was about giving her and Tyler a gift they would never forget. As the stylist picked up my tie, her movements suddenly paused. "Mr. Clark, this tie…" I glanced over. A corner of the tie was wrinkled, and there was a faint lipstick stain on it. My fingers clenched instantly. This tie had been painstakingly sewn by my mother before she died. Back then, her illness had already left her deathly thin. Her hands trembled so badly that she could barely hold a needle. Yet, she had spent an entire month propped up in her hospital bed, stitching intricate patterns and delicate silver threads into the inside lining. She had told me, "I probably won't be able to see you get married, Logan. So, let this tie walk you down the aisle in my place. When you wear it, pretend I'm holding your hand." After Mom passed away, I kept this tie carefully stored in a box, rarely ever touching it. Before the wedding, I'd delivered it to the hotel myself and repeatedly reminded the staff to keep it separate from everything else. Yet, now, it was wrinkled and stained with someone's lipstick. The stylist looked uncomfortable. She asked, "Would you like me to clean it up for you?" I stared at the vividly red stain. After a long time passed, I gently shook my head. "No. Just leave it." Avery pushed the door open and walked in. Wearing a white wedding dress, she looked beautiful and elegant, her expression soft and gentle. If I hadn't already seen the truth, my heart probably would've skipped a beat. She stopped behind me and looked at my reflection in the mirror. "Logan, you look so handsome today." She reached out and adjusted my tie. Then, she cupped my face and kissed me. The moment our breaths intertwined, my vision went black. I saw a lounge. Tyler was leaning against a dressing table. His shirt was crumpled, and there was a trace of lipstick on the corner of his mouth. My tie hung loosely around his neck. Avery stood in front of him, head lowered, adjusting his collar. "Avery, have you lost your mind?" Tyler's voice was low. "In an hour, you'll be marrying Logan." Avery looked at him. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "That's why this is the last time." Tyler fell silent for a moment before saying, "You say that every time. But every time you see me, you can't help yourself." Avery didn't argue. Instead, she hurriedly undid his belt. As they moved closer together, she yanked the tie from his neck and casually tossed it onto the couch. It snagged on one of Tyler's shirt buttons, and a strand of silver thread came loose. I froze in place. In that instant, it felt like my whole world came crashing down. They both knew clearly that my mother had sewn that tie for me before she died. The day she passed away, both Avery and Tyler had stood beside her hospital bed. Mom had been so weak and frail. Yet, she still took Avery's hand and pleaded repeatedly, "I won't be there to see Logan get married. You have to love him for me." Avery had nodded solemnly. "Don't worry, Mrs. Clark. I'll never let Logan be hurt." Tyler had stood beside her, his voice hoarse. "Mrs. Clark, don't worry. I'll always be there for Logan. On his wedding day, I'll watch over him for you." And now, one was my bride, and the other was my best friend. Right before the wedding began, they had used the tie Mom had given me, wrinkled it, stained it, and done something so revolting. The vision ended there. Back in reality, Avery was still straightening my tie when a knock came from outside the room. The master of ceremonies came in and said, "Ms. Goodwin, Mr. Clark, the ceremony is about to begin." Avery held out her hand. "Let's go." I looked at her outstretched hand—long fingers, clean and elegant. That same hand had once changed cold compresses on my forehead all night when I had a fever. But now, that hand had also smoothed the wrinkles from Tyler's shirt. She had taken every ounce of sincerity I ever gave her and crushed it into a joke. I placed my hand in hers, and she led me outside. The doors of the ballroom slowly opened. On the stage, the MC smiled and announced, "Before the official ceremony begins, the groom has requested an additional vow-reading segment. Let's hear what he would like to say to the bride." Avery turned toward me, surprise flashing in her eyes. "When did you add that?" I replied with a smile, "Last night." Then, I pulled a sheet of paper from the inside pocket of my jacket. In the front row of the audience seats, Tyler sat, watching me calmly. He probably believed the wedding would proceed exactly the way they had planned. But neither of them knew that the vows I had prepared contained far more than words of love. They contained everything I needed to destroy them. Under the gaze of Avery's family and friends, I slowly began to speak. "I'd like to thank Avery Goodwin and my best friend, Tyler Reed."