Chapter 3

The first light of dawn crept through the curtains when the sound of the door swinging open startled me awake. Ethan stood in the doorway, his dark eyes unreadable, shadowed with something I couldn’t decipher.

"Why didn’t you go back to your room last night?" His voice carried a note of concern, though his expression remained guarded.

I let out a soft laugh, raising my arms to block the harsh morning light filtering in. "Before I quit, my boss asked me to finalize the project plan. I worked too late and just crashed here."

The truth was, I’d spent the night scouring job listings and sending out resumes. Days ago, Ethan had resigned, citing our upcoming marriage as the reason, urging me to join the Caldwell Family. But now that I was leaving, I needed a fresh start—one that didn’t involve him.

Ethan didn’t press further. He stepped inside, his fingers brushing over the files scattered across my desk as he leaned against it. My pulse spiked when his hand hovered over the folder—the one hiding the plane ticket.

"Ethan, you know that’s confidential. If you leak it, you could be in serious trouble!"

His gaze snapped to mine, sharp and intense. "What did you just call me?"

For six years, I’d always called him "Ethan," never his full name—not even in frustration. My throat tightened before I forced a softer tone. "Ethan."

He released the file, lips quirking into a teasing smirk. "Still not a fan of your company’s projects, huh? I was just trying to help. But if you’re not interested, fine."

Pushing off the desk, he straightened, his posture shifting to something playful yet commanding. "Get dressed. We’re going out."

As he turned to leave, he paused, glancing back with a slight frown. "Have your parents set a date to visit yet?"

We were supposed to get married. He was supposed to meet them. But he’d always been "too busy" with work, forcing my parents to extend the invitation instead. And still, he’d never confirmed a time.

Now, when he asked, I bit back a bitter smile. "It’s harvest season. They can’t come right now."

Ethan’s frown deepened, but he didn’t argue, striding out without another word.

Later, at the mall, fate decided to twist the knife deeper. Isabella stood outside a dessert shop, her face lighting up when she spotted us. "Ethan! What a surprise!"

Ethan ruffled her hair like they were old friends. "Yeah, what a coincidence."

I stayed silent.

Ever since Ethan’s relatives had brought Isabella into the company, these "coincidences" had become routine. I wasn’t even surprised anymore.

My gaze drifted to the lounge chairs, and I considered suggesting a break. But before I could speak, Isabella latched onto Ethan’s arm, her voice sugary sweet. "Ethan, the baby wants ice cream, but the line’s so long."

Ethan pinched her nose, his eyes softening in a way that made my chest ache. "Alright, greedy girl, just wait."

She bounced on her toes, her miniskirt riding up. In a flash, Ethan pulled her close, draping his coat around her waist. "Next time, don’t dress like this. And no jumping."

Isabella stuck out her tongue. "I know."

Then Ethan turned to me. "Do you have cash?"

I blinked. "No."

"Go get 20,000 now."

Frustration coiled inside me, but I left without a word.

When I returned, Ethan was slipping bills to people in line, murmuring apologies as he cut in. The proud man I knew was now bending over backward for a cone of ice cream.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Isabella’s eyes flicked to me. "Sophia, why are you laughing? Has Ethan ever done this for you?"

I shook my head, turning away before the ache in my chest could worsen. I sank onto a bench, only to wince as pain shot through my heel. Blood stained my shoe. Perfect.

Ethan returned with three cones, offering me one. I declined. "No, thanks."

His expression darkened. "Can you at least pretend to be grateful?"

Isabella snatched the cones, grinning. "Ethan, you idiot! Sophia just left the hospital—she can’t have cold food! But you remember my cycle perfectly, don’t you?"

She skipped ahead, taking playful bites from both cones. Ethan chased after her, flustered. "Izzy, slow down! You’ll get sick!"

Then—screams.

The crowd erupted into chaos. "Run! There’s a killer!"

Ethan shielded Isabella, pulling her close as they vanished into the panicked crowd. I followed, heart pounding, until I spotted them again.

Isabella flung herself into his arms, sobbing before pressing her lips to his.

I might as well have been air.

My phone buzzed. Mom’s voice was warm. "Sophia, happy birthday!"

I smiled despite everything. "Thanks, Mom. I’ll see you tonight."

Later, alone in a taxi, I packed my things at home. The couple-themed keychain dangled from the wall, a relic of a love that had never really been mine. I ripped it off, tossing it into the trash before hanging the keys back up.

"Goodbye, Ethan."

"Goodbye to the man I thought you were."