Chapter 4

“I’m pretty traditional. I don’t really like girls who go to bars or have tattoos,” Ethan had once told me during one of our heart-to-heart talks.

But now, the bar was one of Ethan and Victoria’s favorite places to hang out.

“Chloe, come over here! You’re being way too reserved. Get up and dance!” Mia pulled me into the center of the dance floor.

I watched the men and women lose themselves in the music, and soon I began dancing too.

For a moment, it felt as if all my troubles had vanished.

“Hey, beautiful. Want to exchange contact information?”

Not long after I started dancing, a man with dyed blond hair came over and grabbed my hand, insisting that I add him.

“Sorry, but I’m not interested.” I pushed him away forcefully.

Even though our movements were large and our voices were loud, no one nearby paid any attention.

The man refused to give up and kept coming closer.

I was just about to curse him out when he threw up all over me.

What incredible luck.

“I’m so sorry. My friend drank too much. He just got dumped today.”

“Here’s my contact information. Call me if you need anything.”

With that, he handed me a pack of wet wipes, a suit jacket, and a business card.

I glanced at it: 【Peak Fitness · Owner, Ryan Grant】

Before I could refuse the jacket, he hoisted his drunk friend over his shoulder and left.

His eyes had a natural amber tint, and the proportions of his brows, eyes, and nose were perfect. His features were deep and refined, and he was handsome in a completely different way.

After being caught in such an absurd situation, I had lost all interest in staying.

I cleaned myself up in the restroom and left first with the jacket draped over my shoulders.

“Mia, I’m not feeling well, so I’m going home. You should head back and get some rest too.”

The suit jacket carried a faint woody scent. It seemed that this exceptionally handsome man was also very refined.

Two days later, I took the dry-cleaned jacket to Ryan’s workplace.

“I’d like to apologize again on behalf of my friend. How much did your jacket cost? I’ll pay you for it.”

Ryan insisted on adding me as a contact so he could transfer the money to me.

There were too many people in the gym, and many of them turned around or glanced sideways at me.

I didn’t want to attract too much attention, so I agreed. It never hurt to make another friend, especially when he owned a gym. We might even be able to work together someday.

I held up my phone for Ryan to scan, and then an unwelcome guest appeared.

“Chloe? Is that really you?”

I had intended to pretend I hadn’t seen her, but Victoria secretly took a picture of us and spoke first.

We had met before, so she knew I had once been Ethan’s girlfriend and naturally recognized my face.

“Was that your new boyfriend?”

“You’d better delete that picture, or I’ll sue you for violating my right to privacy.”

I gave her a stiff, polite smile and prepared to leave.

But Victoria grabbed my arm.

A moment later, Ethan appeared too.

It seemed the engaged couple had arranged to work out together.

Victoria raised her voice.

“Ethan, you came at the perfect time. Look who we ran into! It’s Chloe. It looks like she has a new boyfriend.”

What a performance.

She was dripping with fake sweetness.

“None of your business. Let go of me.” The smile vanished from my face, and I glared at her coldly.

Ethan’s expression shifted.

He walked over and asked flatly, “Really? A new boyfriend?”

I deliberately ignored his question and rolled my eyes at him.

“Why are you afraid to admit it? You probably found a replacement long ago,” Victoria provoked.

“Who are you? Why would I have to explain my private life to you?” I lifted my chin and met Ethan’s gaze.

How ridiculous.

The moment we met, they had started turning the blame on me.

Did rich people all enjoy playing these games?

“So this is why you suddenly insisted on breaking up. You already found some other sucker to take my place.”

Ethan spoke sarcastically.

Victoria looked uncomfortable when he said that.

“So what if I did? And so what if I didn’t? You’re the one who was two-timing me. What right do you have to judge me?”

I stared viciously at him with all the strength I had left.

Ethan clenched his fists. His mouth opened, but he stammered and swallowed whatever he had been about to say.

“Get this straight. We’re already broken up.”

At those words, Ethan’s eyes reddened, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

I pushed him aside and turned to leave.

Behind me came a familiar sound of muffled sobbing.