Chapter 3

It wasn't until dusk that I gathered enough courage to go back to our apartment.

The moment I stepped inside, my wrist was grabbed.

The next second, Ethan pulled me tightly into his embrace.

The strong scent of women's perfume instantly filled my nose.

My stomach churned with nausea.

Ethan didn't seem to notice how stiff my body was.

"Baby, don't overthink this."

"Getting married to her is just a formality. I'm just helping her fulfill a long-held family wish."

"You're the only one I truly love."

If I had heard this in the past, I would have forgiven him without hesitation.

But now, I just felt sick.

I pushed him away with all my strength.

"Ethan, let's break up."

I turned around, walked into the bedroom, and started packing my bags.

Ethan's brow furrowed, his voice dripping with impatience.

"Do you really have to make a scene out of this? Can you stop being so unreasonable?"

"It’s just a minor issue, and you want to break up? Can you even survive without me?"

"I haven't done anything to wrong you."

My hands froze as I was folding a shirt.

I bit my lip, and after a long silence, I forced the words out.

"You haven't done anything wrong."

"So, I won't stand in the way of your wedding."

Suddenly, Ethan's phone buzzed.

As he looked at the screen, his expression instantly softened into pure tenderness.

He typed a quick reply, then quickly put on his usual indifferent face.

Seeing this, my heart went completely cold.

I hastily threw my things into my suitcase and zipped it up.

Ethan, who had been silent, suddenly kicked my suitcase into the living room.

With a thud, he dropped to his knees, grabbing my hands.

I looked at him as if he were a stranger.

I pulled my hands back. He was squeezing so hard that my wrists were turning red.

"Ethan, do you still love me?"

As soon as the question left my mouth, his phone started buzzing nonstop again.

He immediately stood up to answer the text.

His voice was so gentle, so patient.

"I’ve already picked out the reception dress. I'll take you to try it on tomorrow, don't worry."

"I've got everything covered."

I hadn't seen that kind of patience from him in years.

I clenched my fists, hiding my trembling hands.

I said nothing.

He turned around, explaining impatiently:

"She's just asking about the wedding schedule. Don't be so paranoid."

"She's young, she needs more guidance."

I didn't want to argue anymore. I bent down to continue packing.

A woven grass ring fell out of my bag.

It was from the first time he told me he wanted to marry me, promising to build a home together.

Ethan glanced at the ring and let out a mocking laugh.

"You actually kept that trash?"

"Don't tell me you took that college joke seriously?"

I saw the mockery in his eyes.

"A joke?"

My voice shook.

"So, marrying me was a joke. But marrying her is a commitment."

Ethan sneered.

"It's just a fake marriage! Once the ceremony is over, I'll cut ties with her."

"I haven't physically cheated on you!"

But I had clearly seen them kissing passionately in Chloe's TikTok videos.

Seeing that I wasn't backing down, he sighed and tried to push me toward the dining room.