Chapter 2

The other end of the line went dead silent for a second. He probably didn't expect me to say that.

"What do you mean by that?"

Ethan’s voice carried a hint of confusion, mixed with a trace of impatience.

"I’m just handling a temporary emergency. Why are you throwing such a tantrum?"

I stared at the cheesy baked lobster on the table. My mom had specifically ordered it because she knew it was his favorite.

"I’m not throwing a tantrum."

"I made myself very clear. We don't need to see each other ever again."

"Chloe, can you please be reasonable? Lily is a young girl, and she’s going through a crisis alone in this city. How could I just ignore her? If it were you, would you want everyone to just stand by and do nothing?"

I almost laughed out loud.

"Ethan, out of that $15,000, ten grand was what I saved from my side hustles over the past two years. I don’t care who you lent it to. Give me my ten grand back within three days."

"Are you insane? The money is already gone! Where am I supposed to get ten thousand dollars in three days?"

"That’s your problem."

I stood up and grabbed my coat from the back of the chair.

"Three days. If I don't see the money, I’m getting my lawyer involved."

"Chloe! Don’t be so dramatic!"

"I’m being dramatic?"

"Today was the first time my parents were supposed to meet you. I started booking the restaurant and researching the menu two weeks ago."

"I stayed awake until 3 a.m. last night, worrying you’d get stuck in traffic, worrying you’d be nervous, worrying my dad’s questions would be too hard on you.

And what did you do? You took my hard-earned money to play the hero."

With that, I hung up and shut down my phone.

My mom sat across from me. Her eyes were red, but she held back her tears.

My dad took a sip of his coffee, then set it down.

"Dad, Mom," I forced a smile. "I’m sorry. I embarrassed you guys."

"Don't say silly things like that,"

My mom’s voice was a bit cracked.

"Why should you be embarrassed? You’re not the one who did something shameful."

My dad remained silent.

"The food is getting cold. I’ll ask the waiter to reheat it," I said, pressing the service bell.

"Chloe,"

My dad finally spoke.

"What do you plan to do about this guy?"

"We are over."

My mom blinked. "Are you sure you don’t want to sleep on it?"

"Mom, he stood me and you guys up on a day like today just to take care of some college junior."

"What’s going to happen when we get married? When I’m giving birth in the hospital, is he going to run off to take care of her too?"

My dad nodded. It was a very subtle gesture, but I saw it.

"Break it off then,"

My dad said. "It’s better to see his true colors now than later."

The waiter came in and took the dishes away.

My mom took the opportunity to squeeze my hand.

"Sweetie, I just feel so bad for you," she whispered. "You prepared so long for today..."

"I’m fine," I squeezed her hand back. "Just think of it as a nice family dinner."

When the food was served again, my mom insisted on putting a piece of steak on my plate.

"Eat up, don't let it go to waste. The steak here is actually really good."

After dinner, I walked my parents to the subway station.

Right before the turnstile, my mom suddenly turned around and gave me a tight hug.

"If he doesn't give you that money back, tell me. I have some savings."

"No need, Mom," I patted her back. "I can handle this myself."