Chapter 4

On the other side of town, Ethan was pacing around his apartment, utterly restless.

He kept checking his phone.

But the screen remained black.

In the past, Chloe would always come crawling back within three days.

But it had been a week, and there was nothing.

Was she actually furious this time?

All he did was stay over at Hailey's for one night. Was that really worth this massive reaction?

Then, a sudden thought hit him.

He had called off the wedding last year and the year before that. Both times were because of Hailey.

No wonder...

A pang of guilt hit his chest. Maybe he had crossed the line.

He pulled out his phone and typed a message:

*Chloe, didn't you say you wanted to go to the beach? Once I'm done with this busy week, I'll take you.*

But when he hit send, a red exclamation mark appeared.

Chloe had blocked him on Snapchat.

His chest tightened. He tried calling her number, but a cold, automated voice told him the call couldn't be completed.

She had blocked his number, too.

The apartment felt instantly freezing.

Just as he was about to call Marcus to find out where Chloe was staying, a text notification popped up from an unknown number. It was Chloe's final text.

*Ethan, we're done. I left the ring on the coffee table.*

Ethan froze.

He ran to the living room, and there it was—the diamond ring, sitting silently on the glass table.

He picked it up, panic rising in his chest.

He snatched his friend’s phone and dialed the number he knew by heart.

It rang for a long time before a calm voice answered.

"Hello?"

Ethan's breath hitched, his heart aching at the sound of her voice.

He wanted to apologize. He wanted to tell her to come home.

But his damn pride got in the way, and the moment he opened his mouth, his voice came out sharp and defensive.

"Chloe, blocking me and sending breakup texts? Do you really think this petty drama is going to scare me?"

"I was already planning on cutting Hailey off, but your behavior is ridiculous. If you don't come home right now, the wedding is off for good!"

Silence met his words.

Ethan gripped the phone, his heart practically in his throat.

*Just give in a little, Chloe. If you just say sorry, I promise I'll never see Hailey again,* he thought desperately.

But Chloe’s response shattered his hope.

"Suit yourself."

"Ethan, we are done. Don't call me again."

The line went dead.

When he tried to call back, he was blocked on that number, too.