Chapter 3

Ethan's face was terrifyingly dark.

"Who the fuck do you think Serena is?"

"She’s a classical music student! Not some cheap bar singer!"

Everyone in our circle knew that Serena was Ethan's ultimate muse.

Her reputation was more important to him than his own life.

If anyone dared to say a single bad word about Serena, they’d pay for it dearly the very next day.

The guy who made the joke quickly scrambled to his knees, begging for mercy.

"I'm sorry, Ethan! I was being an idiot! Please, don't take it seriously!"

Watching that scene yesterday, I felt like my heart was being shredded by a thousand knives.

I hadn’t even realized my collar was soaked with my own tears.

Ethan had completely forgotten.

He forgot the promises he once made to me.

"Hey, little girl. Follow me from now on. I’ll protect you, and no one will ever hurt you again."

"Chloe, if neither of us is married in ten years, let’s just settle down together."

Those two promises were engraved in my heart.

Too bad the one who said them forgot, while the one who heard them was trapped by them.

Today marked exactly ten years. And yes, I was indeed getting married.

But my groom wasn’t Ethan.

Pulling myself back to reality, I forced a tight smile.

"Anyway, I have to go sign my marriage license now. Enjoy your drinks."

But the moment I took a step toward the door, Ethan grabbed my wrist in a vice grip.

"Chloe, what kind of act is this?"

"Do you seriously think you can drag me to City Hall by pulling a stunt like this? Have some self-respect!"

Looking at his exhausted, annoyed face, a wave of profound weariness washed over me.

The Ethan who once fought off a gang of thugs just to keep me safe was long gone.

The man in front of me only wished I would vanish from his sight.

Before I could speak, a sweet, high-pitched voice echoed from the doorway.

"Ethan!"

I turned my head. Serena was running toward him, her eyes wide and innocent.

Ethan instantly let go of my wrist. He even wiped his hand on his pants several times before reaching out to clasp Serena’s hand.

His gaze softened into pure tenderness.

"Why are you here, babe? This place is too loud for you."

Serena crossed her arms and pouted.

"You’re one to talk!"

"I heard your friends were celebrating a proposal today! How could you not invite me to such an important event?"

Panic flashed through Ethan's eyes.

Thinking quickly, he pulled one of his friends, Brad, forward with a nervous laugh.

"Oh, you know how busy your music rehearsals are. I didn't want to bother you."

"Actually, today is the day Brad is proposing to Chloe! You came just in time to witness their special moment!"

With that, he nudged Brad hard.

Brad quickly wrapped a sweaty arm around my shoulders, playing along.

"Yeah, absolutely! We’re heading to the courthouse to get married right after this!"

I looked up and was met with Brad's greasy, acne-scarred face.

Out of all of Ethan's friends, Brad was the one I loathed the most.

He was a creep who constantly made inappropriate, highly sexual jokes about me in public.

He had ruined my reputation in our social circle.

Brad leaned down, whispering in my ear so only I could hear.

"Ethan’s never going to touch you, sweetie."

"Why not just roll with me? I promise I can show you a real good time in bed."

An overwhelming wave of disgust surged inside me. I violently shoved him away and bolted for the door.

But Brad lunged forward, trying to grab me into a tight embrace.

In sheer panic, I screamed at the top of my lungs.

"I already have a husband! He’s waiting for me outside!"