Chapter 4

I eventually got into the back seat.

I watched them talk the entire ride.

They talked about the sports games Natalie had watched with him, the video games they played together.

It was a conversation I had no part in.

When we arrived at the house and got out of the car, Natalie pouted and said she was thirsty.

Ethan gave her a fond, hopeless smile.

"Fine, fine. I get it, Princess. I'll go buy you a drink, okay?"

"Mango smoothie, right?"

"You've had it a million times, aren't you sick of it yet?"

Though his words sounded like complaining, he knew her preferences by heart.

When he came back, Ethan handed me a cup.

"Here, bought this for you."

I didn't take it.

I looked up at him.

"I'm allergic to mangoes."

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck, looking slightly embarrassed.

"Oh, sorry, Riley. I forgot."

"Just have some water then. I'll drink this."

Without waiting for my reply, he fell into step right next to Natalie, and they walked upstairs together.

I stared at his back for a long moment before slowly following them.

When we reached the apartment, the door was already unlocked.

As I pushed the door open, I was greeted by a floor covered in rose petals, glowing candles, and a group of Ethan's friends.

Before I could react, someone rushed over, pulled me into the center of a giant heart made of rose petals, and placed a white bridal veil on my head.

I finally snapped out of my daze.

Ethan was proposing.

But before the joy could even register, Ethan stepped forward and abruptly pulled the veil off my head.

He laughed, turning to the friend who had put it on me.

"Hey, you got the wrong girl."

"She's not the main character today."

The friend blinked, confused.

"Wait, isn't Riley your girlfriend?"

"Yeah, she is," Ethan said, still smiling.

"Riley is my girlfriend, but the one I'm proposing to today is Natalie."

With that, he gently placed the veil onto Natalie's head.

Then, he turned to look at me.

"Riley, don't blame me for this. You're the one who had bad luck and couldn't unbox the engagement ring."

"Since Natalie got the ring, she has to be the one I propose to today."

I stood frozen, my mind going entirely blank.

Right in front of me, Ethan dropped to one knee before Natalie. He held up the Tiffany ring, his eyes filled with intense devotion.

"Natalie, will you marry me?"

Tears welled up in Natalie's eyes as she choked out, "Yes, I will."

To anyone else, they looked like a perfect, beautiful couple.

I bit my lip so hard I could taste copper.

I watched as Ethan wrapped his arms around Natalie, pressing a tender, almost sacred kiss to her forehead.

The crowd erupted in cheers and confetti.

I stood there in the middle of the celebration, watching my boyfriend propose to my sister.

Whispers from the crowd began to drift into my ears.

"Man, Ethan is bold. Proposing to another woman right in front of his girlfriend, and she doesn't even dare to make a scene."

"Girlfriend? I bet Riley is going to get dumped soon anyway. Did you see the way Ethan looks at Natalie? It's totally different."

"Sucks to be Riley. She wasted ten years with him, and she doesn't even get a proposal..."

I couldn't stand it for another second.

I turned to leave, but Ethan grabbed my wrist.

He looked at me, a playful, uncaring smirk on his face.

"Oh, come on, Riley. It's just a joke. You're not actually mad, are you?"

I didn't say a word. I just stared at him.

Seeing this, Natalie hurriedly took off the ring and tried to hand it to me again.

"Riley, don't be mad. I'm giving the ring back to you. Just pretend Ethan was using me to practice his proposal..."

Her eyes turned red as she looked down at the ring, her face full of reluctance.

Ethan frowned.

"Riley, since Natalie likes the ring so much, let her keep it. I'll buy you another one later."

"There are so many people here today. Don't make things difficult for her."

I looked at him and said softly, "Okay."

Ethan blinked, seemingly surprised that I was being so cooperative this time.

He smiled and reached out to ruffle my hair.

"Good girl. You're being so sweet today."

"Tell you what, as a reward, I'll stay in town and spend a few extra days with you before I head back."

"Haven't you always hated long-distance? Didn't you want to spend more time together?"

"I'll grant your wish this time."

I shook my head.

"No need."

"I don't need you to stay, Ethan."

I looked down at the ring on Natalie's finger and said in a flat voice, "Since you've already proposed to Natalie, let's break up."

"From now on, I don't need your company anymore."

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