Chapter 3

Ethan and I met at a college networking event.

Back then, I was a senior doing an internship, while he had already started his own media agency.

The first time we met, I was pitch-writing for a project. He fell for me at first sight and pursued me relentlessly.

On the countless nights I stayed late writing scripts, he would wait downstairs with takeout, never complaining.

Eventually, his persistence wore me down, and I let him in.

Later, we got together.

After that, I joined his agency as a scriptwriter. As the agency grew, so did his ego, until he became the high-and-mighty CEO Ethan Sterling.

On our wedding day, Ethan cried like a baby. He knelt on one knee and slid the ring onto my finger.

He said, "Hazel, I will love you forever."

The dream lasted until last year, when a young influencer named Chloe joined the company.

After that, Valentine's Day, anniversaries, and even my birthday were ignored. Ethan rejected my invitations without hesitation, only to turn around and plan grand surprises for Chloe.

He even took her on luxury vacations whenever he had "business trips."

We fought about it constantly. At first, he would placate me, saying it was just for business. But over time, he grew impatient.

He would say, "When your mind is in the gutter, everything looks dirty."

From then on, Chloe became a permanent fixture in my life.

Or rather, in the wreckage of my marriage.

Shaking off the memories, I wiped the tears from my eyes.

My heart ached. Once upon a time, he had looked into my eyes with absolute sincerity and made those vows.

I returned to my tiny apartment.

Once I calmed my nerves, I went to work the next day.

Ever since our fight, Ethan had banished me to a minor subsidiary branch of the company.

No one here knew my real identity, which actually suited me. It allowed me to focus solely on writing scripts.

But the moment I sat down at my desk, the branch manager walked in, escorting a glamorously dressed woman.

She was smiling brightly, greeting everyone in the office.

When her eyes landed on me, her grin widened. "Oh, Hazel! What a small world."

Looking at Chloe's smug face, my composure wavered slightly.

I didn't know why she was at this branch. But being personally introduced by the manager sent a clear message to everyone: she was special.

I ignored her. She didn't seem to mind and walked away.

At the end of the day, as I walked out of the office lobby, Chloe caught up with me.

She smiled sweetly. "Ethan is picking me up for dinner. Want to join us?"

My face remained blank. "No."

Chloe gasped dramatically, blinking her big eyes. "Hazel, are you still mad about that Instagram post?"

"We're all adults here. Don't be so old-fashioned."

I let out a cold laugh. "If you want to be 'open-minded' and sleep around, that's your business. Don't speak for all adults."

As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt a burning gaze on my back.

Ethan strode over, his face darkened with anger.

"Hazel, are you ever going to stop? You're both women. How can you spread such disgusting rumors about her?"

I didn't even look at him. "If the dog doesn't bark at me, I don't kick it. So, Ethan, keep your dog on a leash."

I turned to leave, but he grabbed my arm roughly.

His face was furious, his eyes burning with rage.

"Hazel, I suggest you apologize right now!"

"Apologize for what?"

I had done absolutely nothing wrong. Why did everyone expect me to bow down?

Seeing the sheer disgust in my eyes, Ethan hesitated for a fraction of a second, his expression turning venomous.

"Fine! I hope you keep this attitude up."

He let go of my arm and walked away with Chloe.

After a couple of steps, Chloe wrapped her arm tightly around his, turning back to throw me a triumphant smirk.

My heart remained dead silent.