Chapter 3

With everything set in motion, I went out for one last dinner with my friends.

To my surprise, Ethan showed up. He looked taken aback to see me, and when he spoke, his voice was still stiff from our fight.

“What are you doing here?”

Carter, Ethan’s business partner, cleared a seat for him and handed him a beer, laughing.

“Are you kidding, man? This is a farewell dinner. Didn't you know?”

Carter and Ethan had started their company together.

I had invested in their startup early on. But since I had decided to move back to my hometown and raise my baby alone, I had met with Carter earlier to pull my shares out.

That was the reason for tonight’s gathering.

I had assumed Carter had invited Ethan, but clearly, he hadn't.

Ethan’s expression turned dead serious. He stared at me.

“Farewell dinner? Where are you going?”

Carter looked back and forth between us, sensing the tension but not wanting to interfere.

I kept my eyes down and said nothing.

Ethan thought my breakup threat was just a cry for attention. He didn't realize I was entirely serious.

Since we were over, my future was none of his business.

Seeing my silence, Ethan took a deep breath and stepped closer to me.

“Luna, stop this drama. Don't you think you've taken this too far? If I hadn't showed up tonight, were you planning to air our dirty laundry in front of everyone?”

I didn't want to argue. I grabbed my bag to leave, but suddenly, Lily ran out of nowhere and slammed right into my stomach.

I stumbled backward. If Carter hadn't caught me in time, I would have crashed onto the hard floor.

Lily, on the other hand, sat on the ground holding her forehead and crying. Chloe came running from a parked car nearby.

“Baby, what’s wrong? Who hurt you?”

Lily immediately pointed at me. “It was her! That mean woman pushed me!”

My eyes widened. I looked at Ethan.

Everyone there had seen it—the child had run straight into me. But when my eyes met Ethan’s, he chose to remain silent.

In that single moment, five years of love crumbled into ash.

I let out a cold laugh, but before I could speak, Chloe chimed in.

“Luna, I know you hate me, but my daughter is innocent. If you have a problem, take it out on me.”

“I know I’m weak and useless, but I’m just trying to survive.”

She looked like she was on the verge of tears, putting on a perfect show.

Ethan walked over to comfort her. “Don't say that. As long as I’m here, no one will look down on you.”

I suddenly remembered how Ethan and I had met.

I was working late shifts at a coffee shop back then. One night, a drunk guy started harassing me, and Ethan had stepped in to save me.

He had stayed with me at the police station and taken me to the clinic to bandage my scrapes.

He had told me, “A girl shouldn't work late nights. Money isn't worth your safety.”

When he confessed his feelings to me, he had promised with absolute sincerity that he would never let anyone hurt me again.

Only later did I realize I was just a substitute. He had only noticed me because I reminded him of Chloe.

When we met, Chloe had just gotten married to someone else overseas.

To the Ethan of five years ago, the only woman he ever wanted to marry was gone. It didn't matter who he ended up with.

Only I had been kept in the dark, foolishly believing he was my prince charming.