Chapter 3

“Ethan, do you know Chloe, too? She seems to be staring at you.”

Rachel pointed at me, her voice sugary sweet.

I hurriedly wiped away my tears and looked at the man who had been kissing me so passionately moments earlier. Despite everything, I found myself hoping for his answer.

Ethan glanced at me, took Rachel’s suitcase, and slipped an arm around her. “A neighbor’s daughter. We’re not close. I happened to run into her while I was waiting for you, so we talked for a minute.”

Rachel gave me a smug smile, then deliberately snuggled deeper into his arms.

“Make sure you stay away from her, okay? We’re roommates. I know she goes out with men every weekend. Who knows what she might have caught?”

She tilted her face up, looking perfectly innocent.

Ethan’s smile vanished briefly before returning. He pinched her cheek, his voice indulgent. “You’re all I need, baby. I promise I’ll save myself for you.”

He knew perfectly well that I spent those weekends with him. Yet he let Rachel smear my name.

Grief crashed over me. The pain in my chest was so sharp that tears nearly spilled again.

Under Ethan’s cold stare, I walked toward them. But before I could say what I’d prepared, a scream tore out of me.

“Stop that thief! Thief!”

“Someone’s hurt! Call an ambulance!”

…

Chaotic voices erupted around me.

By the time I understood what was happening, warm liquid had already trickled down to my eyelashes.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ethan holding a frightened Rachel tightly against his chest.

For the first time, I saw fear in his eyes.

My temple throbbed. Blood blurred my vision.

Instinctively, I wanted to call his name. But all I could see was him patting Rachel’s trembling back and soothing her gently.

“This is so embarrassing. My stomach just growled.”

Rachel’s cheeks flushed as she buried herself in his arms.

Ethan stroked her hair. “Then let’s get you something to eat. Can’t have my baby going hungry.”

With her suitcase in one hand and her hand in the other, he walked straight out of the station.

He didn’t spare me a single glance.

I watched them leave. Behind his back, Rachel gave me the finger, and my eyes stung again.

How pathetic, Chloe.

Stop hoping for anything from him.

He has a girlfriend now. He won’t protect you, stand up for you, or whisper sweet things to you anymore.

It was time to end this one-woman show.