Chapter 3

After getting the SD card, I prepared my counterattack. Naturally, I grew cold toward Ethan. I used "wedding prep" as an excuse to leave early and return late.

When Ethan came home late, no one was waiting for him in the living room anymore. No hangover soup was warming on the stove. Even when we crossed paths, my smile lacked its usual warmth.

He noticed.

But he only thought it was another petty game to get his attention, so he didn't care.

Until one night, he tried to kiss me awake, and I turned my face away to avoid him. I closed my eyes and muttered sleepily:

"Ethan, I'm too tired today."

Ethan's expression shifted.

He frowned, letting out a sharp sneer. "What a buzzkill."

But I kept my eyes shut, giving no reaction.

Frustrated, he grabbed his coat, making a loud scene to get my attention. Before leaving, he said mockingly:

"I'm going to Chloe's."

"Don't make breakfast tomorrow. I'm staying over."

He slammed the door hard.

I opened my eyes slowly. Something felt off.

Ethan never used to tell me where he was going. He never felt the need to report his whereabouts to me.

While I was lost in thought, my phone buzzed with an encrypted message from Chloe on SnapChat:

[He just called saying he missed me and is coming over. I'll use being sick as an excuse to reject him.]

A moment later, another text popped up.

[Strange. He drank half a glass of whiskey, barely spoke, and left before I could even say no. Did you guys fight?]

I paused, confused, and replied:

[No. I just turned down his physical advances. He's probably mad because I've been cold lately.]

The "typing..." indicator on Chloe's end stayed on for a long time.

Finally, her message came through:

[No wonder. He's been distracted and moody around me lately. Rainey... I think Ethan might actually be in love with you.]

Love?

The word made me want to laugh out loud.

How could a monster like Ethan Vance understand love?

This was a man who stood by and watched his "first love" drown.

I turned off my screen, ignoring her text.

The next morning, as I was about to head out, the butler stopped me with a polite bow.

"Ma'am, here is the invitation to the charity auction tonight."

"Mr. Vance requested your presence."

I took it without objection. He usually brought me to these high-society events, so it wasn't surprising. But it was odd that he sent it through the butler without a call or text.

He was probably still sulking.

I didn't care.

That night, I went to the auction and headed straight for the front-row seat labeled "Mrs. Vance."

Just as I was about to sit down, a cold voice stopped me.

"Rainey, that's not your seat."

I turned around to see Ethan and Chloe arriving together. He pulled out the chair in front of me for Chloe with perfect gentlemanly grace.

"Sit, Chloe."

Once they sat down, Ethan ignored me completely. I was left standing next to them like an unwanted prop.

Whispers and jeers rose from the crowd around us.

"Wow, Ethan has a new girl? Looks like Rainey's five-year hustle didn't secure her spot."

"She brought this on herself! I heard she started acting cold the moment he agreed to marry her. Just a toy who forgot her place."

"If this keeps up, the bride might change at the wedding in two days. She's just a bedwarmer anyway."

I lowered my head, clenching my fists.

Actually, it was a good reminder.

The wedding was so close. I couldn't let Ethan lose interest now. My act of "devotion" couldn't slip.

I looked up, throwing a pleading, tearful gaze at Ethan.

Ethan stopped tapping his fingers on the armrest. He turned around, giving me a cool, calculating look.

"Learned your lesson?"