Chapter 2

I never expected to run into Chloe at the Grand Plaza Mall.

She was clinging to Derek’s arm as he did a routine inspection of the luxury boutiques.

The sales associates were practically tripping over themselves to serve her.

“Mrs. Vance, this is our latest arrival. It’s a limited edition. If you like it, I can offer you a twenty percent discount.”

“Just make sure you reserve the best spot for our brand next season,” Chloe said, playing the part of the powerful manager's wife.

“Of course! And the diamond necklace you asked about last time? I saved it just for you.”

Derek glanced at the jewelry case and nodded. “Take it. It’ll look perfect on you at our engagement party next week.”

“Engagement party? I see you and Mr. Vance together all the time. I thought you guys were already married!” one of the salesgirls asked innocently.

Chloe’s smile froze.

Realizing her blunder, the salesgirl quickly backpedaled. “Oh, I just meant you look so perfect together, like a happily married couple!”

Hearing them kiss her feet, I couldn't help but let out a soft, mocking chuckle.

In our past life, Chloe had gone completely insane when she saw Derek marrying someone else. She had crashed his wedding, slaughtered him, and killed herself to join him in death.

I never understood it. If she loved him that much, why did they ever split up in our first life?

But after we were reborn, she didn't hesitate to dump me instantly to chase her happily-ever-after.

Yet, here we were, six years later, and they still weren't married. They were only just getting engaged now.

“Derek has been so focused on his career these past few years,” Chloe said, gazing up at him with dripping adoration. “He asked me to marry him so many times, but his career is on the rise. I didn't want my own happiness to get in the way of his future.”

Wow. She sure knew how to play the supportive partner for him.

Back when she was with me, she did nothing but look down on me, constantly complaining that I was a broke loser.

It turned out she wasn't incapable of empathy. She just didn't love me.

I lowered my eyes, completely ignoring her, and turned toward the baby store to buy some supplies.

“Ethan? What are you doing here?” Chloe's sharp voice cut through the air behind me.

I stopped and turned. Chloe was standing right there, glaring at me.

The salesgirl looked at us, confused. “Is this gentleman a friend of yours, Chloe? If he’s shopping here, we can give him a discount too.”

Chloe smirked, her eyes dripping with disdain. “A friend? Please. He’s just a dirt-broke ex of mine. Back then, he couldn't even afford a hundred-dollar necklace. There’s no way he can buy anything in this mall.”

“An ex?”

The salesgirl glanced nervously at Derek. Derek didn't seem to care; instead, he pulled Chloe tightly against his waist, looking down his nose at me like a conquering king.

“Did you even check the price tags before walking in here? Don't make a fool of yourself when you realize you can't afford a single thing,” Derek sneered.

“Whether I can afford it or not has absolutely nothing to do with you,” I said coldly. Chloe's face instantly twisted in anger.

“If you’re that desperate, maybe I can throw a little charity your way. Or wait... did you hear about my engagement and stalk me here on purpose?” Chloe mocked.

Hearing this, Derek stepped forward, standing right beside Chloe and sizing me up with a condescending glare.

“Ethan, Chloe told me all about how you used to harass her. I thought she was just being nice, but you really are a creep.”

“You didn't appreciate her when she was yours. Now that she’s marrying me, you’re drowning in regret?” Derek’s face flushed with anger, glaring at me like he wanted to pick a fight.

Only because Chloe held his hand did he restrain himself from throwing a punch.

“Ethan, I made it crystal clear when we broke up. There is absolutely no chance for us. Why can't you just let me go?”

“I know you’re broke, and seeing me doing so well makes you bitter, but this is just sad.”

Derek scoffed. “A man with no real skills trying to leech off his ex-girlfriend. Absolutely pathetic.”

“Just look at what you’re wearing. Not a single designer label.”

I looked down at my custom suit. It was a bespoke Italian piece, hand-tailored and literally one of a kind. A low-level mall manager like Derek obviously didn't have the class to recognize true luxury.

Seeing my silence, he smugly pulled out his wallet, grabbed a few bills, and slapped them against my chest, letting them flutter to the floor.

“This should cover your groceries for a month. Now get lost and stop bothering us.”

The hundred-dollar bills scattered on the floor. Chloe smirked. “What? Still not enough?”

She glanced down at her own empty designer clutch. “Well, people don't really carry cash these days. How about I transfer it to you? How does ten grand sound?”

“That’s probably more than you can save in two years of hard labor.”

I remained silent. Chloe pulled out her phone, opened Snapchat, and tried to send the cash transfer.

But the second she hit send, a bright red exclamation mark popped up on her screen.

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