Chapter 1 01.Prologue: Memories

I remember as if it were yesterday that tumultuous time when Taylor entered our lives. From the moment I first saw him, I felt an inexplicable aversion. It was as if he were stealing the attention of my brother, Andrew, and sidelining me.

We were at a family dinner, and he was seated at the table, smiling and chatting animatedly with Andrew. I couldn't contain my irritation and decided to confront him.

"So, you're Taylor..." I said, crossing my arms and giving him a cold look.

He smiled gently, trying to ease the tension in the air. "Yes, that's me. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Kate."

I couldn't disguise my disdain for him. I always saw him as an intruder, someone who stole my brother's attention and left me aside. And now, there, face to face with him, I couldn't hide my feelings.

"Pleasure? Sorry, Taylor, but I can't share that sentiment. On the contrary, since you entered Andrew's life, I feel he's growing more distant from me," I said. He seemed surprised by my frankness but didn't back down.

"Kate, I understand how you feel, but I assure you it was never my intention to cause any separation between you. I'm just a friend, someone who stands by your brother when he needs support."

I let out a sarcastic laugh. "That's precisely the problem, Taylor. You're always there, occupying a space that should be mine. You've become so close to Andrew that it feels like there's no room for me. And I won't accept that." He looked into my eyes, with a calm and understanding expression.

"Kate, I understand your concern and insecurity, but you need to realize that your brother and I have been friends for a long time. He's important to me, just like you are. I don't want to cause problems between you; I just want to be a part of my friend's life."

My hands clenched in fists, controlling the anger that was about to explode. "Well, Taylor, you may want to be part of my brother's life, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. I suggest you understand your place and step back a bit. I won't allow you to take up more space than you already have."

He lowered his gaze for a moment, as if contemplating my words. When he looked up again, there was determination in his eyes.

"Kate, I won't step back just because you don't like me. I'll continue being Andrew's friend, and I hope that one day you can overcome this dislike and see me differently."

I stared at him for a few more moments, my aversion still present in every cell of my body. But I knew that, for the sake of my relationship with my brother, I needed to at least try to accept Taylor's presence in our lives.

"We'll see, Taylor. We'll see. But know that it won't be that easy."

I left the dinner determined not to accept any kind of approach from him. And so it remained until then.