Chapter 3

I collected Dad's ashes from the crematorium, planning to scatter them at sea today.

When I returned to the house to pack a few keepsakes, Ethan and Chloe were already inside.

Chloe was lounging carelessly on the sofa, twirling Dad's vintage collector's fountain pen in her fingers and flipping through his antique manuscripts.

Rage flared inside me.

"Don't touch his things! And give me back my keys!"

Chloe instantly dropped the pen, acting like a frightened little bunny.

"I'm sorry, Natalie... I thought it was Ethan's."

Ethan immediately stepped in front of her, shielding her as if I were about to tear her apart.

"Don't be scared, Chloe. It's just a pen. Hah, compared to what Professor George did, what does this even count for?"

Then he barked orders at me.

"Where is your dad? I have a few words for him."

How ironic. Yesterday he was "Dad," and today he was "your dad."

The fury inside me boiled over, but I forced myself to hold it together. I didn't want to make a scene today.

"You pieces of trash don't deserve to mention his name. Get the hell out."

Ethan scoffed, shoved past me, and began kicking open every bedroom door searching for him.

Once he confirmed Dad wasn't home, he stormed back and glared down at me.

"Do you have any idea what your precious father did? Yesterday at the university, he openly spread rumors that Chloe is a homewrecking mistress, and he even formally petitioned the board to expel her!"

"Why is your whole family so fond of bullying people? He's a tenured professor, and he won't even let a helpless girl off the hook!"

I was so shocked I nearly passed out.

"What kind of garbage are you spewing?! You've known my dad since you were seventeen! You've been around him for ten years! Don't you know who he is? You dare insult him like this—aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning?!"

Ethan seemed to regain a sliver of composure, but he refused to back down.

"It's a fact! I only found out when I saw Chloe's withdrawal application. Why would she lie with her own future on the line?"

Hearing us talk about her, Chloe, who had been hiding in the corner, suddenly burst out emotionally.

"I'm not lying! My roommates and professors can vouch for me!"

"But I don't blame Professor George. It's my fault for being a bad driver and getting him into the crash. It's normal for him to hate me. But... I really can't handle everyone whispering and pointing fingers at me..."

Before she could finish, she started sobbing pitifully.

Ethan gently pulled her into his arms.

"Don't blame yourself, Chloe. The crash was an accident."

Then he glared at me with pure disgust.

"Besides, I bet the professor isn't even mad about the crash. He's just backing up his jealous, vindictive daughter."

Chloe wept, then meekly stepped in front of me.

"How could you think that? Ethan and I have nothing between us. Natalie, please don't misunderstand, and please ask Professor George to stop targeting me."

I raised my hand and slapped her hard across the face.

"Save the act for your idiot dog. Playing the victim in front of me makes me sick to my stomach."

Chloe froze, clutching her cheek, her face flashing between pale and red.

The very next second, a brutal slap struck my own face, knocking me hard onto the sofa.

Ethan’s roar practically pierced my eardrums.

"Your mother died early so no one taught you manners, Natalie! But the world doesn't revolve around you!"

Holding my burning cheek, I glared at him and demanded, "Say it again. Do you really believe my dad did that?"

He didn't even look at me.

"I believe Chloe."

I let out a cold laugh, the very last shred of hope in my heart dying out completely.

"Fine. I'll call the Dean's office right now and ask."

Chloe’s head snapped up, her eyes wide with terror.