That night, after all the chaos had subsided, David approached Kael who was preparing to leave the security team's headquarters.
"Kael, wait a moment," David called out.
Kael turned around, his face still looking weary. "What is it, David?"
David took a deep breath. "Thank you. For everything you did today for Elara."
Kael nodded. "I didn't do it for you."
"I know," David said. "But let me say something. My gratitude doesn't mean I approve of your feelings for my wife. I want you to know something you might not be aware of."
David gazed into the distance, as if recalling old memories. "I loved her, Kael. Even when you were still with her back then. I still remember the first time I saw her at the minimarket near campus."
Kael remained silent, listening intently.
"She was standing in front of the ice cream freezer," David continued softly. "She was holding a specific brand of chocolate ice cream, then checking her wallet. I could see from her face that she didn't have enough money."
"Why didn't you help her at that time?" Kael asked.
"Because she looked so proud," David answered. "She returned the ice cream to the freezer with a small smile, as if she accepted that reality with an open heart. That was when I fell in love with her."
David looked directly into Kael's eyes. "I didn't approach her immediately. I observed her for weeks. I knew her class schedule, knew the places she usually visited, even knew that she often sacrificed her meal money to buy books."
"So you were stalking her?" Kael asked with a slightly annoyed tone.
"Not stalking," David refuted. "I... was studying the woman I wanted to make my wife. And when I finally approached her, I was ready to become the man she needed."
Kael sighed. "I understand now."
"No, you don't understand," David said. "The day after the incident at the minimarket, I bought all the stock of that specific brand of chocolate ice cream and stored it in my home freezer. I promised myself that one day I would give her all the ice cream she wanted."
Kael smiled bitterly. "And now you can indeed give her everything."
"It's not about that," David objected. "It's about my determination to make her happy from the very beginning. I loved her not because she was beautiful or smart, but because of the strength I saw in her when she accepted the reality that she couldn't buy that ice cream so gracefully."
They stood in silence for a moment, then Kael said, "I understand now, David. Perhaps... perhaps you really are the one who should be with her."
David nodded. "I appreciate your admission. But more importantly, I appreciate your sacrifice today. You could have let Grant hurt me, but you chose to save Elara."
"Because I love her too," Kael said. "And loving someone means prioritizing their happiness above our own desires."
David extended his hand. "Truce?"
Kael shook David's hand. "Truce. But take good care of her. Because if you hurt her again, I'll be the first to come for her."
"Promise me one thing," David said seriously. "If one day Elara chooses to return to you, you will protect her better than I did."
Kael was surprised by the request. "Are you serious?"
"Completely," David answered. "Because true love isn't about possession, but about letting the people we love find their happiness, wherever that may be."
The conversation ended with the two men finally understanding each other. They might never become close friends, but they had found new respect for one another - as two men who loved the same woman, each in their own way.