Chapter 2

Back then, Mia claimed she couldn't find a job after graduation. So, Ethan brought his childhood friend into his company as his personal assistant.

Later, she complained that her apartment was too small to raise cats. Ignoring my severe cat allergy, Ethan moved her and all her cats into our home.

We had countless screaming matches over this. But every time Mia's eyes welled with tears, it always became my fault for being "too sensitive."

The next afternoon, after finally getting my resignation approved, I let out a sigh of relief.

Walking out of the office building, I saw Ethan’s car parked at the curb.

I pretended not to see it and turned to walk away.

But he called out, stopping me, and insisted on taking me out to lunch.

Noticing the box of personal belongings in my arms, his eyes narrowed.

"You resigned?"

I nodded. He looked incredibly surprised. After all, I loved this job and had worked hard at it for five years.

Without asking why, he immediately said, "You can just come work at my company."

I rejected him instantly.

"No, thanks."

Clearly not expecting a rejection, Ethan’s face darkened. I quickly offered a fake smile, explaining that I just wanted to take some time off to rest.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly handed me a small gift box.

I opened it. It was a pair of earrings.

It was from a brand I used to love. Back then, Ethan had openly sneered at my taste, calling it tacky and loud.

He raised an eyebrow, looking smug.

"Do you like them?"

I gave a half-hearted shrug, muttered a quick thanks, and tossed them onto the passenger seat.

Without the squeal of excitement he expected, his brow furrowed deeper.

When we arrived at the restaurant, I realized Ethan had booked the entire place.

Mia was sitting there like a little princess. It turned out today was her birthday.

She naturally wrapped her arm around Ethan’s as he sat down next to her, pouting.

"Chloe, you really need to lecture Ethan. It’s just a birthday, but he made such a huge deal out of it."

Ethan gently ran his fingers through her hair, teasing, "Oh? Who was the silly girl who told me she couldn't wait for her birthday?"

They flirted as if I didn't exist. I excused myself to the restroom.

When I walked back, Mia had her hair pinned up, and Ethan was carefully clasping a necklace around her neck.

Seeing me return, she immediately started flaunting it.

"Chloe, look at the necklace Ethan got me! It's gorgeous, but do you think it looks too flashy on me?"

Despite her complaining words, her eyes were swimming with smug triumph as she threw a mocking glance my way.

The necklace was from the exact same brand as my earrings. Looking at the luxury packaging of her necklace, it finally clicked. The earrings were just a "free gift with purchase" that came with her expensive necklace.

Ethan said with absolute confidence, "How could it be? You're vibrant and bright. You're the only one who can pull off something this stunning."

They stared into each other's eyes, practically dripping with affection.

I ignored them completely, focusing on my food and scrolling through Snapchat.

Suddenly, a violent wave of nausea hit my stomach. I couldn't stop myself from dry-heaving.

Both of them froze.

Mia looked utterly offended. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Ethan’s face darkened. He slammed his fork onto the table with a loud clatter and hissed, "Can you watch your manners? Taking you out is nothing but an embarrassment."

I wiped my mouth with a napkin and said casually, "I didn't do it on purpose. I've just been feeling nauseous lately."

The moment the words escaped my mouth, I regretted them.

"Nauseous? Are you trying to pretend you're pregnant?"

Mia let out a mocking laugh, clearly thinking I was just making up excuses to steal the spotlight.

But Ethan suddenly went stiff. He stared at me, his eyes filled with a sudden, intense hope. Sensing the shift, Mia stammered nervously.

"There's no way it's that coincidental..."

Seeing my silence, she panicked, her voice rising. "Y-You can't keep it! Chloe, you two aren't even married. Getting pregnant like this is so shameless. People will judge you!"

But Ethan, who had always wanted a child, could no longer hear a word she was saying.

He looked at me with breathless anticipation, asking if I felt sick anywhere else.

I denied it flatly. A look of profound disappointment flashed through his eyes.

Mia let out a quiet sigh of relief. Seeing that the attention was still on me, she puffed her cheeks.

"Hmph, is anyone actually going to pay attention to the birthday girl today?"

Ethan snapped out of his daze and rushed to comfort her again.

Maybe Mia was trying to test me, because for the rest of the night, she kept pushing seafood onto my plate, knowing it usually made me feel sick.

That night, before going to sleep.

Perhaps out of some lingering, foolish hope, I quietly asked Ethan, "If I were really pregnant, would you get rid of the cats?"

The man kept his back turned to me. The room fell dead silent. Just when I thought he had fallen asleep, his sarcastic voice pierced the darkness.

"Chloe, I absolutely despise manipulative women. Are you planning to blackmail me with a pregnancy now? Stop playing these pathetic games."

With that, he got up, stormed out of the room, and slammed the door.

I slowly closed my eyes. When I opened them again, the last trace of hesitation was gone.

I looked at the countdown on my phone for the clinic appointment.