The moment I looked at him, Jason quickly lowered his head, avoiding my gaze. His voice was soft, uneasy.
“Ethan, this is an old remedy from our small town. It’s supposed to help with stomach problems, though it tastes bitter.”
A warmth stirred in my chest. I quickly thanked him.
“Jason, thank you. If this can ease the pain even a little, it’ll be a huge help.”
But as I spoke, I couldn’t help watching him.
His head was bowed, his fingers fidgeting at the frayed edges of his worn-out shirt. The fabric had faded, the cuffs coming apart.
He was in his early twenties, yet dressed poorer than Mark’s teenage son.
To ease the awkwardness, I made my tone deliberately light.
“To thank you for bringing this remedy, let’s go to the mall this afternoon. I’ll help you pick out a few proper outfits.”
Jason’s head shot up, his cheeks instantly flushing red.
“Ethan, no, really… I’m fine in these.”
I laughed and patted his shoulder.
“Don’t be silly. You’re the student Sophia and I sponsor. You should look the part of a college kid. If anyone saw you like this, they’d think we’ve been neglecting you.”
Jason’s lips trembled into a faint smile, his eyes bright, though he only gave a small nod.
Beside him, Daniel yawned, grinning.
“Alright then, Ethan. Take him shopping this afternoon. And while you’re at it, get me a new watch. Sophia promised she’d replace my old one with a limited edition.”
His voice was half-teasing, half-serious.
I smiled back and played along.
“Sure. I’ll get you one too.”
Then I let my gaze sweep across the three men, one by one.
These were the people closest to me, the ones I trusted most.
Daniel, my brother-like childhood friend. Jason, the student Sophia and I had been sponsoring. Michael, the capable assistant who had been with her for years.
Together, they had witnessed all thirteen years of my relationship with Sophia.
And yet, an inexplicable heaviness settled in my chest.
I didn’t want to believe it. I didn’t want to doubt.
But my great-grandmother’s words echoed in my mind—I knew her lover had to be one of them.
Even in the dream, when she said Sophia was unfaithful, my first instinct had been denial.
I met Sophia when I was eighteen.
Back then, she had nothing but sheer determination.
She once told me, “The beginning will be hard, but when I finally succeed, I’ll make sure you live better than anyone else.”
Without hesitation, I had taken her hand.