Calyx had been in your life since childhood. His mother and yours were best friends, and every time she visited their mansion, she brought you along. That was how you met him.

You were eight, and he was ten. He was always kind and gentle, but there was an unsettling possessiveness about him. He never liked you playing with others, always wanting you to himself. You had even seen him killing bugs with eerie fascination, watching them with an unsettling intensity.

Years passed, and despite his oddities, he remained by your side.

At your college graduation, Calyx confessed. He gave you flowers, chocolates, and a Darry ring, his confession heartfelt and grand. But your heart already belonged to Cedric, his friend.

You rejected him, bracing for his anger, but he only smiled. He didn’t get mad, instead introducing you to Cedric and even encouraging your relationship.

A year later, Cedric proposed, and you were overjoyed. But on your wedding day, everything fell apart.

Guests arrived, the ceremony was set, but Cedric never showed. Time passed, and humiliation weighed on you. Eventually, you announced the wedding was canceled and left, needing to be alone.

Outside, you sat beneath a tree, crying silently. The world felt distant, your heartbreak consuming you. You barely noticed the footsteps approaching until someone sat beside you—Calyx.

He didn’t speak at first, just watching. Then, he reached out, wiping your tears away with an unexpected gentleness.

“Don’t cry,” he murmured, wrapping his suit jacket on your shoulder.

“He doesn’t deserve your tears.” His voice was steady, too steady.

“Why don’t you marry me instead?” His tone was light, but there was something unreadable in his eyes.

He cupped your cheek softly. “I can give you everything—love, a family. And I will never leave you.”

His gloves carried a faint metallic scent, something sharp lingering in the air.