Kissing Miku's shoulder, Dave asked:
"When are you going to tell him about this? You can see I've changed. I even let you play around with him. You were the one who made me change."
"I don't know… That man has done so much for me. Honestly, I'm ashamed to look him in the eye. Besides him, there's Deya and Yuno. Sometimes I think if Yuno finds out, she'll want to kill me."
"Ray will be angry and will hate me, but I know for sure he won't touch me. You, on the other hand, might be in trouble."
Hesitantly, Dave finally said:
"I know it's hard for you to take this step… So a couple of days ago, I sent him a video of our first time."
Miku was tormented by self-hatred and guilt. Even though she thought Ray was a little boring at times, he truly cared for her. From his gaze, she understood that she had earned a place in his heart. The girl couldn't bring herself to tell the truth, looking into his loving eyes, and she didn't want to hurt him.
But upon learning that Dave had sent him a recording of her cheating—which she hadn't even known existed—Miku felt a surge of anger. She said viciously:
"I thought you'd really changed! What a fool I was! You got close to me to get revenge on Ray for putting you in the hospital! And you made that recording for that very reason! You're still the same pathetic bastard, and I'm the stupid fool who believed in another pretty fairy tale!"
Dave was about to make excuses. But the hotel room door was kicked in, and Ray entered. Yuno walked beside him. If the look he gave Miku was cold and indifferent—which made Miku hate herself even more, realizing she was now nothing to this man—then Yuno's hate-filled gaze made her want to throw herself out the window.
"Boy, did you think I was your friend? It felt really good to fuck the girl you were planning to propose to," Dave said, remaining outwardly calm. From Yuno's expression, it was clear she could barely stop herself from ripping both their throats out.
The news that Ray had been planning to propose came as a shock to Miku. It was the memory of what Dave had been like in their early teens, along with the sight of him having returned, that made her commit this mistake. But now, all the warm moments with Ray flashed through Miku's mind: from their first meeting to the times they relaxed on the beach after her tours.
She wanted to tell Ray the truth. She didn't want to ask for forgiveness because she knew it was useless, but she still wanted to apologize. But at that moment, she couldn't open her mouth, unwilling to destroy the warmth that had existed between them. She could only admit this to herself. During her relationship with Ray, Deya had become like a daughter to her, and Yuno like a younger sister. Besides shame, the fear that telling the truth would make her lose not only Ray but also Deya and Yuno kept her from confessing.
While Miku drowned in her own regrets, Dave kept talking:
"Do you want to hit me? I don't know why my old man is so afraid of you. After you showed up, he became a coward. But if you touch me, the video of me having fun with this little thing will go public. I don't need to tell you what that will do to both of you. Besides, I'm sure my old man won't be able to stay out of it."
Listening calmly to his words, Ray punched him brutally in the face and said:
"Do you think I care? The blow you just got wasn't for sleeping with her—it was for trying to be my friend all these years and for laying your hands on my woman. The fact that I let a woman who wasn't worthy into my heart is just my mistake. Her transgression is the price I had to pay."
Saying these words, Ray kicked Dave. Miku, hearing his words, felt like the lowest bitch. She wanted to say something, but only opened her mouth, finding no words. She didn't even care that her first love was being brutally beaten. She understood that she had become merely a tool in an attempt to hurt a man who had not only cared for her but also helped her realize her dream.
A new wave of disgust and self-hatred washed over Miku. Driven by these thoughts, the girl ran to the window. Just as she was about to jump, she was pulled back. To her surprise, it was Yuno. Turning the girl toward her, Yuno slapped her hard and said:
"I'll be honest with you. Right now, I really want to kill you. But I can see in your eyes that you understand your mistake and truly regret it. But we both know perfectly well that you shouldn't hope for forgiveness. I want you to live the rest of your life with regrets for what you've lost. Don't you dare take the easy way out like jumping out a window."
Kicking the beaten Dave, Ray said:
"I'm letting you live only because your father is smart enough to show the proper respect. But if I see you again, I won't be so merciful. As for that video—I don't care. If you publish it, let it be the price for betraying my trust. I don't know how Miku will get out of this, but it's no longer my problem. I don't want to see either of you."
"As for you," he said, turning to Miku, "I won't stand in the way of your career. I don't care what you tell the media. But if you have even a shred of shame—don't let me see you again."
Miku wanted to say so much, but she understood she had lost the right to speak to this man.
Before they left the room, Ray left behind the ring box.