Chapter 3

I followed Ethan all the way back to our small town.

Those same creeps were still hanging out near the old gas station.

I pointed at them and yelled to Ethan:

"They hit me! Ethan, they hit me!"

Sure enough, when those guys saw Ethan, they looked terrified and tried to scatter.

But Ethan blocked their path.

Instead of pulling out his fists, he reached into his bag and pulled out several family-sized bags of expensive chocolates.

"Lola's wedding was rushed, and I couldn't make it back in time to help," Ethan said, a polite smile on his face.

"I heard you all helped out at my brother-in-law's place on the wedding day. Thank you for your hard work."

"Take these. Consider it a thank-you gift from me."

He began handing out the chocolates to them one by one.

My eyes turned red with anger. I tried to knock the chocolates out of his hands, but my fingers just passed through the air.

Serena also smiled and helped hand them out. When only a few chocolates were left, Ethan gently stopped her.

He whispered to Serena, "Lola loves these. Let's save the rest to satisfy her sweet tooth."

But I didn't want any chocolates.

I pointed at those ugly faces, crying out my pain:

"Luke slapped me and tied me up with ropes!"

"Zach and Wes stuffed rags in my mouth so I couldn't scream! They beat me every time I cried!"

"They said if I didn't want to marry Luke, they would beat me until I did..."

"Ethan, why aren't you protecting me anymore?"

I sobbed, staring at him, but he still wouldn't look at me.

I was so frustrated that I scratched my arms, leaving deep red marks.

In the past, if Ethan saw me scratch myself, he would cry from heartbreak. But now, he didn't even turn his head.

Behind us, the creeps burst into mocking laughter.

Wes, the leader, smirked and called out:

"Ethan, you've got some real patience. We respect that."

Ethan frowned, not quite catching the sarcasm in his tone.

Before he could ask, Serena pushed him toward our old house.

Wes popped a chocolate into his mouth and stared at Ethan's back, muttering:

"Does Ethan really not know the crazy girl is dead?"

One of his lackeys sneered.

"Didn't Chloe send him a letter?"

"He's probably just a coward. He sees there are more of us and doesn't dare to start a fight."

"Or maybe he wanted that useless sister dead anyway. She was just a burden."

"Look at that gorgeous girl Serena next to him. They aren't even blood-related. If you were him, wouldn't you prefer her?"

Hearing their words, I forgot how to cry.

So... Ethan was tired of me.

I followed him home quietly, keeping my distance.

When we pushed the door open, the house was a complete mess. The chicken coop was empty, with only a few feathers scattered on the ground.

Ethan sighed.

"Lola really didn't listen to a word I said."

But I did listen...

I took care of the five chickens Ethan left behind, feeding them three times a day.

They grew into big, fat hens and laid so many eggs.

But Luke said that since he married me, everything in the house belonged to him.

He said if I didn't let him take them, he would burn our house down.

Before Mom died, she told me this house had to be kept for Ethan's future wedding.

I didn't dare let him burn it. So I just huddled in the corner, watching Luke strip the house bare, not even daring to make a sound.

"Ethan... you guys are back?"

Chloe stood at the gate, her face deadly pale.

Ethan hid his disappointment and forced a smile. "Chloe, is Lola at her husband's place?"

"Could you call her back for me? Tell her I'm not mad at her anymore. She doesn't need to hide."

Chloe gripped the doorframe so hard her knuckles turned white. Her voice trembled violently.

"Ethan... did Ned not give you the mason jar?"

"Lola... she died weeks ago."