Chapter 3

My family began preparing to emigrate for my medical treatment.

While sorting through my personal assets, I returned to the penthouse Ethan and I were supposed to share after our wedding.

As I was packing, I heard the sound of the digital lock clicking open.

Ethan walked in. In one hand, he held a bag of prescription drugs from the hospital. With the other, he was gently, naturally supporting Chloe.

Chloe was wearing a oversized hospital cardigan, leaning softly against his shoulder.

Ethan sneered when he saw me. "I knew you’d come crawling back here. Hmph, you really are obsessed with me."

"The wedding is off, yet you still come to our marital home. Well, at least it saves me the trouble of looking for you."

The apartment already had clear signs of Chloe living here.

"Sign this."

Ethan threw a piece of paper onto the kitchen island. It was a bizarre spiritual contract with occult runic symbols drawn on it.

"A spiritual healer told me that since you stole Chloe's life force to cure your heart, she will only get better if you sign this contract and return her destiny to her!"

"You owe her this."

"I told you, I never used her as a shield! Why would I sign this garbage?"

"And what about you two? Who gave you the right to redecorate my penthouse and move in without my permission?!"

Ethan’s brows knitted in deep annoyance.

"Your penthouse? Summer, we agreed this would be our home after we got married."

"Chloe is sick. I only let her stay here to recover. Once she’s cured, she’ll move out."

"Is that what you’re throwing a tantrum about? I haven't even called off the wedding yet! What more do you want?!"

"Your family owes her this! I am only helping you pay off your moral debt!"

Ethan spoke with such righteous conviction, genuinely believing I would submit to him like I always did.

Chloe let out a soft whimper. "Ethan, don't argue with her. If Summer doesn't want to sign, don't force her. I just... I didn't expect her to be so greedy that she’d kick me out of your house too."

"My name is the only one on the deed of this property, Ethan. What right do you have to let anyone live here?"

"And let's not forget, you were the one who ruined our wedding. Did you lose your memory?"

"I’m giving you both two minutes. Pack your things and get out of my sight!"

It had been a long time since I had yelled like this. My heart was beginning to throb painfully, and my legs felt weak and unsteady.

Ethan was visibly angered by my attitude. He took a threatening step forward, his eyes full of disappointment.

"Summer Vance, I never realized you were this petty and selfish! It’s just an empty apartment. Are you, the great heiress of the Vance family, really that desperate for one piece of real estate?"

"And have you forgotten why Chloe is sick in the first place? Your family—you—owe her! Now we’re just using this place so she can rest in peace, and you show this ugly face? Where is your decency? Where is your upbringing?"

"You don't love me anymore, Ethan. If you did, you would have believed me..."

As if his ego had been bruised, he cut me off coldly.

"I told you, I'm taking care of Chloe to redeem *you*. There is nothing going on between us."

Chloe pulled gently at his sleeve, her voice barely a whisper.

"Ethan, please stop... It's my fault. I shouldn't have moved in. I'll pack my bags tomorrow..."

"You don't have to leave! And she *is* signing this paper today! She is taking her bad luck back!"

Ethan's voice was firm, his cold eyes locking onto me.

Ignoring my struggles, he grabbed my wrist and dragged my hand down onto the kitchen island.

"Sign it, Summer!"