Chapter 4

The next morning, I was sketching on the balcony when Ethan walked out of the bedroom.

He looked at the empty dining table and frowned. "No breakfast?"

"I already ate."

"What about mine?"

I looked up at him. "Is that my problem?"

"You..." He took a deep breath, walking over to me. "Why aren't you wearing the earrings I got you?"

"They're not my style."

Sensing my cold tone, he tried to soften his voice. "Do you want me to put them on for you?"

"No need. They don't suit me."

Losing his patience, he snapped, "Chloe, don't you think you're overreacting?"

"I told you a hundred times, that was just a game!"

"There were so many business clients at that party. I couldn't just embarrass Lily!"

"Intertwining our arms for a drink was just to keep the mood light."

"She’s a young girl trying to build her music career here. Without my support, she’s going to have a hard time!"

Ah, he was talking about that.

The day after Lily returned to the country, Ethan had vanished.

He didn't pick up my calls.

Worried, I called his personal assistant and finally tracked him down to a high-end private lounge.

The moment I pushed the door open, I saw him and Lily standing in the center of a cheering crowd, their arms locked together as they took an intimate "lover's toast" drink.

I had walked up and slapped him across the face.

Ethan, looking at my tear-streaked face, had only muttered, "I had too much to drink."

Lily had looked at me with puppy-dog eyes, hiding behind Ethan. "I’m so sorry, Chloe. It's my fault. Please don't be mad at Ethan."

I wanted to laugh.

You were the one drinking intimately with my husband! What right did you have to look victimized?

The people around them tried to defend him. "Mrs. Sterling, don't misunderstand! It was just a party game because they lost. Don't take it seriously!"

When I remained silent, Ethan snapped irritably, "There's nothing to explain!"

I had cried all the way home.

When Ethan finally came back, he saw my swollen eyes and sighed.

He pulled me into his arms. "Lily and I are strictly platonic. She's just a friend."

But when I remained cold, he lost his temper and smashed a glass on the floor. "Chloe, drop it!"

"Lily is better than you in every single way. If I wanted to be with her, you wouldn't even be sitting in the seat of Mrs. Sterling right now!"

"Stop making a mountain out of a molehill!"

That fight had triggered a cold war between us.

Until I saw that necklace receipt, which I had foolishly hoped was for me. It was the straw that broke the camel's back.

I looked at Ethan now and said calmly, "I'm not mad. You're overthinking."

Then, I picked up my stylus and went back to my design.

He froze, standing behind me for a long time.

"Are you really not mad?" he asked suspiciously.

"Why would I be?"

"Unless... you have something else you're hiding from me?" I asked, turning to look at him.

A flash of guilt crossed Ethan's face.

He stiffened. "I have nothing to feel guilty about! Stop being paranoid!"

He glared at me. "I won't be coming home tonight."

"Okay," I replied.

"That's it?"

"Otherwise? Is there anything else?" I looked at him, completely unbothered.

His face turned incredibly dark. "Fine, Chloe. You're unbelievable!" He slammed the front door shut as he left.

I stared at the closed door, bewildered.

I wasn't even mad at him anymore. Why was he the one throwing a tantrum?