Love Triangle and Redemption

My sister, Leanna White, just got cheated on by her boyfriend Nolan Butcher.

She had been bombarding Nolan and me in our group chat with voice messages, tearfully venting about her ex's betrayal.

The worst part? She sent two stupid pictures.

One was of her ex kissing a young girl at a coffee shop.

The other was a selfie of herself at a restaurant, eating fried fish and drinking. In the photo, her well-toned figure was clad in a black, tight-fitting camisole, And her face flushed as she leaned against a large beer mug with a silly smile.

Then, she sent a location pin, the implication clear as day.

I glanced out the window at the rain still pouring down. Couldn't she have chosen a day with better weather to break up?

Actually, Leanna and I were only six months apart in age, and she was not my biological sister.

She was my stepmother's daughter. My dad and her mom formed a blended family. Maybe it was our similar ages, or perhaps it was because we both came from broken homes, but when we were seven, we got along exceptionally well.

Of course, we couldn't have done it without our moms, especially my stepmother.

She was a kind-hearted stepmom who never handed me a poisoned apple.

I was grateful to her because, with her and Leanna, I felt the warmth of family I had long missed.

Nolan lived right across from us, a year older than us.

His parents were very busy, often leaving young Nolan at our place.

Over time, the three of us grew closer, and as we got older, we even created a group chat when we had our phones.

I started having a crush on Nolan in high school. Although we didn't attend the same school, we would gather after classes to do homework together.

I loved the flicker of his eyelashes when he explained problems to me, his youthful stubble above his lips, and the way he looked in a loose basketball jersey, smiling with his eyes curved after a layup.

But I didn't dare tell him my feelings, not even Leanna.

Nolan was too outstanding, and Leanna wasn't far behind. He was decent and refined, with a slightly aloof personality that couldn't stop admirers from flocking to him.

Leanna, with her fair skin, beautiful face, and long legs, she was an absolute beauty. Apart from being a bit assertive, she had no other flaws.

It seemed like I was the only one who had no merit at all when with them.

If they were swans, I was the ugly duckling. If they were Rick Sanchez, I was Morty Smith.

In short, we were on different wavelengths.

Every time I went out with Nolan and Leanna, people always mistook them for a couple.

So I decided to wait...

Wait until my compatibility with him was over 80% before confessing.

And so, I carefully hid my feelings year after year.

Nolan would never guess that while he considered me a good friend. I wanted to be his girlfriend but it would never come up to him.

The taxi quickly arrived at the restaurant where Leanna had sent her location.

As soon as I walked in, I spotted Nolan and Leanna in a booth. They always stood out together.

Nolan's brow was slightly furrowed as he comforted Leanna, his mouth moving as he spoke.

From any angle, the gesture seemed intimate.

I stared at them, dazed, as the restaurant lights cast halos above their heads. In that moment, it truly felt like wherever they were, everyone else was just background.

I often thought that once Nolan and Leanna got together, I'd step back from this trio.

But even after graduating college, and after Leanna had gone through exes, current boyfriends, and ex-exes...

Nolan still hadn't opened his precious mouth. I really didn't know what he was waiting for!

Today seemed like a good opportunity; someone heartbroken would surely need more warmth.

I looked at the dripping umbrella in my hand, my body already giving the answer, and quietly turned to leave.

"Jayde, where are you going?"

A cool male voice came from behind. I pursed my lips, turning back from my half-turned position.

I waved at Nolan with a silly smile and quickly walked over to them.

"I didn't see you guys! Thought I was in the wrong place. So, here you are," I said, feigning calm.

Nolan raised an eyebrow, giving me a look that said, "I don't believe you."

Feeling weird, I quickly shifted my gaze to Leanna.

"Leanna, how much have you drunk?" Leanna looked at me and pulled me down to sit beside her.

Then she poured me a full glass of beer. "Jayde, if you support me, you'll drink this, okay?" I swallowed as I looked at the layers of white foam on the beer, reluctantly nodding.

I had hardly drunk alcohol since I was a kid, and my tolerance to alcohol was basically zero.

Plus, I really couldn't stand the taste of alcohol; it was just too bitter.

After a mental struggle, just as I was about to down it for my dear sister, Nolan stretched out his arm and snatched the glass away, saying nonchalantly, "Are you sure you can drink this much? I can't carry both of you home."

I paused, looking at Leanna. "Maybe I can..." Before I could finish, Nolan had already downed it in one go.

Take care of your princess yourself? Fine.

I smiled at him and then picked up a piece of fried fish, swallowing it as if swallowing my upset.

The meal ended with Leanna slumped over the table.

Drunk, her delicate face had an added allure.

Nolan, too, wasn't as calm as when he first arrived. His brow was furrowed as he gazed at Leanna, deep in thought.

Was he caring about her? After all, seeing the one you loved reminiscing about an ex right in front of you, that unrequited feeling, I could deeply empathize with.