I was confused at first, but Joel kept urging me, so I ended up going with him. He brought me to a foreign-style restaurant where he'd already reserved a table. As we sat down across from each other, I raised an eyebrow. "You seem pretty confident that I'd accept your invitation." This place required booking at least three hours in advance. Joel smiled. "I figured you wouldn't be that cold to me." I took a sip of water and casually asked, "Will you come back someday?" He blinked and rested his chin in his hands, eyes full of hope. "What? Are you going to miss me?" I didn't respond and just looked at him. Joel seemed to realize he was pushing it and gave an awkward laugh. "I have no idea what the future holds," he said. We chatted idly, but my thoughts kept going back to Caden's message. It didn't seem like something he'd usually say. While I was distracted, my phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Caden. Joel also saw the screen. His expression shifted for a second, but he still nodded, letting me answer. "Where are you?" Caden's voice came through, calm and low. I told him the name of the restaurant. Joel leaned closer, unable to stop himself, and said with a playful smile, "Caden, Rosaline's right here with me." I shot him a sharp look, but he just made a goofy face. "I'll be there to get you soon," Caden said steadily. I said okay, and he ended the call. "You're so mean—can't you at least finish one dinner with me?" Joel said dramatically, clutching his chest like he was hurt. "You knew how things were. You shouldn't have invited me in the first place," I replied coolly. "I've been looking forward to this for a long time," he said, sounding disappointed."Then let's eat quickly and enjoy what time we have left," I replied with a soft smile. Joel pouted. Instead of eating, he rested his chin in his hand and stared at me. "If I had met you first, do you think things would've turned out differently?" I wiped my mouth with a napkin and chuckled. "No." Joel looked crushed, his face falling. "You didn't even pause to think." I smiled faintly. If I'd met Joel first? Life didn't work that way. He tilted his chin and said, "Your Caden's here." I turned and saw Caden walking toward us. Smiling, I got up to meet him. Joel stayed where he was, staring at me. He spoke slowly, "Rosaline, seriously? Not even a little hope?" I looked back at him with a soft smile. "Joel, the one I love—it's not because of who came first. It's just that he's Caden." Joel looked like he wanted to say something else, but he stopped. Then, he gave me a gentle look. "I wish you happiness." I smiled. "Take care." Right after I said it, a familiar arm pulled me into a hug. "Looks like you enjoyed your dinner," Caden said, his voice low and touched with the smell of alcohol. "I told you where I was, and all you said was 'okay'. Since when are you so easygoing?" I teased. But as soon as I finished, his face tightened. "What reply?" I blinked in confusion and showed him my phone. "See? You said 'okay'." When I looked up, Caden's expression changed dramatically. His sudden reaction caught me off guard. "Is something wrong?" I asked. His eyes flickered for a moment, but he just shook his head. "No, I must've remembered wrong."I believed him and nodded, and we left the place together.