Chapter 2

I returned to the restaurant.There was barely anything left on the table.

Ava gave me an embarrassed smile.

"You were gone for so long.Ethan kept insisting on giving me food.Should we order more?"

Ethan's tone was blunt."She couldn't eat it anyway."

I shook my head,picked up my bag,and walked out.

Outside,a light rain had started.

Ava spoke as if she had every right to decide for him."Ethan,make sure Molly gets home safe."

Ethan's voice came from behind me.

"I'll take you first."

Ava's voice was coy."My apartment is close by."

He frowned."You just told me yesterday you hate rainy days."

I could not be bothered to listen anymore.I walked into the rain alone.

"Then I'll call a car myself."

Ethan paused.

In the past,I would already have been asking him why with red eyes.

But now I only stood by the curb and opened a ride-share app.

He looked at me helplessly."Stop making a scene.Stay there.I'll take her home and come back for you."

The two of them soon disappeared into the rain.

I got into the car I had called,and my phone vibrated.

It was a message from a coworker.

[Molly,weren't you the one going to New York headquarters for training?Why is Ava's name on the list?]

I froze.

I had spent an entire year preparing for that spot.

Before I left for London,the department had clearly said it was basically mine,and they would start the paperwork when I came back.

My hands shook as I typed.

[When did this happen?]

[Three months ago.I thought you knew.After all,Mr.Reed wrote the recommendation letter himself.He said your plans had changed and that you had voluntarily given it up.]

I immediately scrolled back to the only message Ethan had taken the initiative to send me three months ago.

He had written:[Study hard in London.Don't overthink things.]

Back then,I thought it was concern.It turned out to be nothing more than appeasement.

When I got home,Ethan was already sitting on the living room sofa.

"Why didn't you wait for me?"

He went into the bathroom,got a towel,and handed it to me.

I took a small box from my bag and placed it on the coffee table.

"For you."

Ethan opened it,then closed it again.

"I'm not used to wearing rings."

I suddenly remembered those eleven nights.

I had slowly taught myself how to design and polish a ring,cutting my hands three times and burning two blisters onto my fingertips,but the E engraved inside still came out crooked.

Back then,I had foolishly hoped he might not notice.

Of course he would never notice.He thought so little of it that he would never wear it at all.

At that moment,all my patience reached its end.

"So you can get used to an earring?"

I grabbed the box and threw it straight into the trash.

"You've been sulking all day because of this?"Impatience entered Ethan's voice."Ava gave me that.She's your best friend.I couldn't throw it away in front of her."

"Can you stop getting angry over little things like this?You said I was rigid.Now I've changed,and you're still unhappy."

My eyes went red.

"So you could also casually give her my headquarters spot?"

Ethan's gaze grew even colder.

"You get carried away by your emotions too easily.So I thought Ava was a better fit."

He sighed and stood.

"Calm down.Every position depends on suitability.I'll recommend you for next year's spot."

I wiped my face.My voice sounded hoarse and unfamiliar.

"Let's break up."

Ethan's breath stopped for a second.But very quickly,his expression darkened.

"Is that the only thing you know how to say?"

My nails dug into my palm.

In the past,to test whether he loved me,I had said we should break up many times.

I had hoped he would coax me,even once.Even with one sentence.

But every time,he only said carelessly,"Suit yourself,"then lowered his head and went back to whatever he was doing.

I would have to hurry after him and say I had only been upset.

After lowering my head first countless times,I taught him to believe I could not leave him.

But this time,I was truly tired.