Chapter 5

I don’t even know what I was feeling as I walked down the stairs.

When I got outside, I saw Ethan wearing a ridiculous giant teddy bear costume, acting goofy. He was holding a bouquet of roses and two cute little plushies. Just like every other time we fought, he jogged toward me playfully.

He spoke in a funny, high-pitched voice: "Ethan was bad. Ethan made Chloe mad. Let’s kick Ethan’s butt!"

He threw one of the plushies on the ground and started stomping on it to make me laugh.

Looking at him, my tears finally broke through.

I didn’t even know what I was crying for. Maybe for the dead relationship we once had, or maybe for my own pathetic stupidity.

In the past, whenever Ethan acted cute and apologized, my heart would instantly melt, and I’d forgive him.

But not this time.

His heart belonged to someone else now. He didn't deserve my forgiveness.

Suddenly, Ashley appeared out of nowhere. She pulled me up and gently wiped my tears.

"Chloe, Ethan really went through a lot to get this Miami trip for you."

"The promotional poster required a kiss, but we put a piece of plastic wrap between our lips! It was just a camera angle."

"Even though we stayed in the same room for three days, every time Ethan felt tempted, he took a freezing cold shower to calm down. We absolutely did nothing to betray you."

Listening to Ashley’s pathetic excuses, which only served to confirm their emotional affair, my anger flared. I violently pushed her hand away.

"Ethan! I sent you that post because I wanted to go with you! Who the hell told you to take another woman?!"

Ethan rushed forward, catching Ashley as she stumbled back from my push.

"Why?! I did it to surprise you!" Ethan yelled back, holding Ashley protectively.

Seeing Ashley crying in Ethan’s arms made my blood boil.

"For me? Cut the crap, Ethan. You did it for your own selfish desires. Don't use me as an excuse."

"And what was that about taking cold showers because you were tempted? Did Ashley make you lose your mind that much?"

"She literally just told me everything. Except for the actual sex, you two did everything!"

Ethan’s face flashed with panic. He turned to ask Ashley, but before he could speak, Ashley’s eyes rolled back, and she fainted right into his arms.

Ethan had no choice. He scooped her up and ran toward the campus health center in a panic.

I watched their retreating figures, wiped my tears, and turned away without looking back.