Chapter 3

The entire birthday party seemed to hit a pause button.

Inside the VIP lounge, Ethan’s friends were silent for a second before someone let out a loud whistle.

"Holy shit, Ethan is a beast."

It was Jax, Ethan’s childhood best friend.

"Am I seeing things, or is that the new Range Rover? The back seat is huge, but still, Ethan managed to rock a three-ton SUV like that?"

Another guy laughed and joined in.

"And damn, Hailey’s voice is wild."

They clinked their glasses, laughing as if they were watching an action movie.

Jax turned to look at me.

"Chloe, don't take it personally. Ethan was probably just starved for action. Just think of it as a joke between friends."

My heart felt like it had been violently ripped open, leaving a gaping void for the cold wind to howl through.

Watching the rocking car on the screen, my stomach turned, and acid rushed up my throat.

Hailey suddenly stood up from the sofa, her eyes red.

"Chloe, I didn't know someone was recording this... I didn't mean to... If you're really that mad, I'll never show my face near Ethan again."

She rushed past me, stumbling, and intentionally threw herself against me.

Instinctively, I pushed her off.

"Ahhh!!"

She shrieked, crashing hard against the sharp edge of the coffee table. She hit her knee and collapsed onto the floor.

"Ow... Chloe, my old leg injury... it hurts so bad..."

She clutched her shin, where a small scrape was bleeding, trying hard to squeeze out tears.

The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.

Jax, who was always closest to Hailey, rushed over to check her leg.

He glared up at me.

"Chloe, it was just a joke! Do you have to act like a psycho and assault her?"

The others chimed in, frowning.

"Chloe is out of line. She's so petty."

"Ethan was pushed to his limit, that's why he turned to Hailey. You need to be understanding."

"Exactly. We all know how Ethan stayed faithful to you for years. It was just a slip-up. Is it really worth making a scene?"

Ethan’s face went completely black.

His voice was pure ice.

"Chloe, have you lost your mind? Hailey hasn't even fully recovered from her previous injury, and you dare to hurt her?"

"I am so disappointed in you."

Disappointed?

He and his "girl best friend" betrayed our seven-year relationship.

And he was disappointed in me.

Hailey sat on the floor, holding her knee.

"It’s fine... Ethan, don't blame Chloe... It's all my fault..."

Before I could even speak, a violent, ripping pain tore through my lower abdomen.

It felt like something was tearing apart inside me. A warm, thick liquid began to rush down my inner thighs.

I looked down.

Blood was pouring down my legs, soaking my white dress, dripping onto the floor, pooling into a dark red puddle.

I opened my mouth to say something, but my body felt incredibly heavy.

I couldn't hold on anymore. Like a puppet with its strings cut, I collapsed.

As I fell, the last thing I saw was the anger on Ethan’s face turning into pure terror.

He screamed my name.

"Chloe!"

"Why are you bleeding—"