Chapter 3

I didn't say another word.

So, in their eyes, this was still my fault.

I was the one being immature, petty, and spoiled.

"Mom, I'm tired. I'm hanging up."

Ethan didn't come home that night.

I didn't sleep a wink.

The next morning, I was woken up by noises coming from the kitchen.

I walked out and saw Ethan frying eggs.

The morning sun streamed through the window, hitting his back. Wearing an apron, he actually looked like a decent, domestic husband.

Hearing my footsteps, he turned around.

"You're awake? I made breakfast."

He set the eggs and glasses of milk on the table.

"I was wrong yesterday. I shouldn't have lost my temper. Don't be mad anymore, okay?"

My phone buzzed.

It was a bank notification.

He had transferred five thousand dollars to my account.

"Go buy some lipsticks, a new bag, whatever you want. Just don't be mad at me, okay?"

He pulled out a chair for me.

"Chloe is actually going through a really rough time," he said gently.

I looked at him, remaining silent.

"Her husband is abusive. He takes all the money she makes to gamble. She's just trying to work hard, make some extra cash, and get a divorce as soon as possible."

He sighed.

"I felt sorry for her, so I decided to help her out a bit. There's really nothing going on between us."

I took a sip of the milk.

Then, I looked him dead in the eye.

"Then you should marry her. Since you care about her so much, marry her. That way, you can help her every single day, completely legally."

His face stiffened.

"Clara, do you have to be so sarcastic?"

"I’m just helping you weigh your options."

He stood up abruptly.

"I wasn't planning on telling you this so soon. But since you're pushing me, I'll just lay it out."

He stared at me.

"Chloe is moving in with us."

I thought I had misheard him.

"What did you say?"

"I said, Chloe is moving into our place. She officially confronted her husband, and he kicked her out. She has nowhere else to go."

"We have a guest bedroom that's always empty anyway. It's perfect."

He said it so casually, as if it were the most logical thing in the world.

"Ethan, have you completely lost your mind?"

"I'm perfectly sane. I'm just letting you know."

His tone went ice-cold.

"My family paid the down payment for this apartment, and I’m the one paying the mortgage. I have every right to decide who gets to live here."

"You don't have a choice."

"And what if I say no?"

He smirked.

It was a cruel, mocking smile.

"If you don't like it, you can move out."