Chapter 3

The shattering glass shards cut into Ethan's arm.

He acted as if he hadn't noticed, instead anxiously asking Freya, "Are you hurt?"

In that moment, countless images flashed through my mind.

In the pouring rain, his umbrella always tilted toward Freya.

Walking down the street, he always kept Freya on the inside.

Even during a sudden fire, the person he instinctively protected was only Freya.

Afterward, it was always just a casual, "She's Freya, and she's your good friend for many years."

Every word, every sentence showed that what he did hadn't crossed any lines.

He was just taking care of his widowed sister-in-law on behalf of his dead brother Nathan.

Though I had my complaints, I refused to believe my husband could be involved with my best friend.

Besides, Freya was the one who'd set me and Ethan up in the first place.

Freya and I grew up together.

We'd promised each other since childhood that even when we married, we'd marry into the same place and never be apart.

So when she got together with Nathan Hayes, she introduced me to Nathan's twin brother, Ethan.

At first, I thought she was joking and kept my distance from Ethan.

Until one time when I had a high fever.

I called Freya, but Ethan showed up instead.

He took care of me all night long.

When I woke up, the usually dignified man had dark circles under his eyes.

His hair was messy, almost comical.

But my heart betrayed me anyway.

After Freya got married, Ethan very suddenly proposed to me...

A shadow fell across me, pulling me from my memories.

Ethan held out a divorce agreement.

"Sign it. You can have the house and car. I'll give you half the assets too."

His hand was still bleeding, but he didn't care at all.

His eyes rested on Freya, who sat in a hospital chair, silently crying.

His gaze was tender, gentle to the extreme.

My heart clenched violently.

It hurt so much I forgot to breathe.

Just the night before surgery, he'd held me with that same gaze, that same tenderness, softly reassuring me.

He'd said we'd have another baby in the future.

But the next day, he tricked me onto the operating table and personally killed our child!

I touched my flat stomach, trembling all over.

Four years.

Because I couldn't have children, I endured Mrs. Hayes's contempt and mockery from our social circle.

I sought medical treatment everywhere.

I drank countless bitter medicines, endured countless needles, all to have just one child.

And everything I suffered was a gift from the man I loved most!

The metallic sweetness surged in my throat again.

I suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, and everything went black.

When I opened my eyes again, I saw Freya bustling around my hospital bed.

Seeing me wake up, she rushed forward excitedly.

"Eva, you're awake?"

She immediately ladled me a bowl of beef stew.

"It's good for your health. Drink up."

My fingers clutched the bedsheet tightly.

My eyes grew hot and my vision instantly blurred.

I couldn't understand why, after sleeping with my husband just moments ago, she could act like nothing had happened.

Chattering away as she brought the soup to my lips.

"I let it cool. Drink up."

I lifted my head, unable to bear it any longer.

I knocked the bowl away.

"Get out!"

The next second, a slap landed on my face.