Chapter 4

I had always been good at waiting.

When I was a kid, I waited for someone to adopt me.

Later, I waited for the last bus after my part-time shift ended.

And even later.

I waited for a husband who would never proactively come home to me.

Out of habit, it felt like I was preparing to wait again.

Wait for Ethan to rekindle his old flame with his first love.

And then passively accept a divorce.

My waiting in the past had always been numb and dull.

But this time, I was terrified.

A person has to be brave at least once.

So, for the first time, I went to Ethan's office building.

On the way, I rehearsed the words in my head a thousand times.

"Do you still love Serena?"

"Do you plan to divorce me?"

But I was stopped right at the lobby.

The receptionist wore a polite smile.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. Visitors must book an appointment a week in advance."

I wasn't sure if Ethan wanted everyone to know about our marriage.

So, I didn't reveal my identity.

I called Ethan. Just as the phone started ringing,

I heard his familiar ringtone echoing from the elevator bank.

Ethan was walking at the very front of a group.

He looked at his phone, a puzzled expression on his face, seemingly debating whether to answer.

I instinctively hung up.

He didn't seem to care much either.

He deliberately slowed his pace, occasionally turning back to speak to someone.

It wasn't until he passed within four yards of me

that I saw Serena, who had been blocked from my view behind him.

Time had left no marks on her face.

She still had that pure, innocent first-love face.

She looked exactly like she did in the photos on Ethan's old private Instagram account from eight years ago.

She caught up and walked side-by-side with him.

Her voice carried a hint of joy.

"Oh? You haven't changed your ringtone after all these years? It's still my favorite instrumental piece."

Seventeen-year-old Ethan had been incredibly rebellious.

He only listened to hip-hop, reggae, rock, and electronic music.

But Serena was different. She loved instrumentals.

Ethan's taste in music had changed solely because of her.

I suppose that was the mark love had left on him.

Even today, the habit remained.

Only after they walked away did the receptionist call out to me.

"Ma'am, as you can see, Mr. Vance is already in a meeting. If you need to see him, you can make an appointment with the executive office."

I forced a smile.

"Thank you. No need."

I felt so exhausted, and my eyes stung with unshed tears.

I figured I just needed to go home and sleep it off.

But the alumni Snapchat group kept buzzing.

[Guess who I just bumped into at a restaurant? Ethan and Serena!]

[Oh my god, are they really back together? The high school drama I've been shipping is finally getting a happy ending!]

[@Serena, come verify this right now!]

Serena posted a photo.

A window seat, fine dining, and a man.

His face wasn't in the frame, but from the veins on his toned forearm, it was easy to recognize him.

She replied:

"This restaurant is amazing. Highly recommend."

She didn't give a direct answer, but anyone with eyes could see it.

I zoomed in on the photo, over and over again.

Ethan had very beautiful hands, with distinct knuckles.

I had held them countless times.

I had also slipped his wedding ring onto his finger.

My eyes kept drifting back to his left hand.

His ring finger was completely bare.

He had taken off the wedding ring he always wore.