Chapter 3

After Ethan got together with me, he launched his own tech startup. Those early days were brutal; he drank himself to stomach ulcers just entertaining clients.

During his worst grind, he flew through six cities in twenty-four hours and ended up collapsing from exhaustion on a freezing street corner.

By the time I got the hospital's call and rushed over, it was already the next morning.

In that sterile hospital room, Ethan had broken down, weeping in my arms.

In the end, I stepped in, using my own extensive network and industry connections to pave the way for his business.

I was three years older, had entered the corporate world three years earlier, and my career had been soaring.

At first, I hadn't planned to intervene. But I couldn't bear to watch him fight a war against his parents on one front while desperately struggling to prove himself to me on the other.

Back then, he had drive. He had ambition. I was drawn to that raw hunger, so I gladly smoothed out his obstacles.

Ethan grew reliant on me, coming to me for advice whenever he hit a wall.

Eventually, his business took off, scaling up until he achieved real financial freedom.

It wasn't an exaggeration to say I made him. But because he had chosen me so fiercely back then, I thought sharing my resources was only natural.

Well, not anymore.

Armed with the proof, I drove to that restaurant with the divorce papers in my bag.

The girl was named Chloe. When she saw me walk in, panic flashed across her eyes, but she quickly pulled herself together and walked over.

"Hi, welcome. What can I get for you, ma'am?"

I ordered two dishes with a calm gaze, then sent Ethan a text with my location, telling him to join me for lunch.

The moment the pin was sent, my phone rang.

"Babe, why are you at that place again? Didn't we agree the service there was terrible? Let's go somewhere else!"

"No need. Let's just eat here. I have a surprise for you after."

When Ethan rushed in, beads of sweat covered his forehead. He looked genuinely rattled.

"Sit down. You're sweating like crazy."

I handed him a napkin. Ethan wiped his brow and glanced nervously around the room, though he quickly masked his anxiety.

"What made you want to eat here out of the blue?"

"I was just passing by. Saw their lunch special and decided to check it out."

Right on cue, Chloe walked over holding a tray. When she saw Ethan, she bit her lower lip, looking like a kicked puppy.

Anyone watching would have assumed I was bullying her.

Ethan's face darkened the moment he saw her. Jumping the gun, he grabbed the plates right out of her hands.

"Don't touch anything. I've got it. Wouldn't want your clumsy hands spilling hot soup all over my wife again."

Chloe muttered under her breath, "It wasn't on purpose. Who told her to wear such an expensive dress anyway?"

"Watch your mouth! Clumsy amateur. Get your manager over here, swap her out!"

Ethan blew up so abruptly that the floor manager rushed over, profusely apologizing, sending Chloe to the back and assigning us another server.

Watching the performance, I let out a soft chuckle. "Why do you get so worked up every time you see her? Does a random waitress really matter that much to you?"

Ethan stiffened. "What are you talking about? I was just standing up for you."

"It's been six months. If you hadn't brought it up, I would have forgotten all about it. Funny how vividly you still remember a server from half a year ago."

Hearing the mockery in my tone, Ethan set his fork down with a snap.

"Natalie, if you have something to say, spit it out. Stop dancing around it."

"Fine." I pulled out the divorce papers and slid them across the table, right under his nose.

Ethan froze. "What is this supposed to mean?"

"Exactly what it looks like. You cheated, Ethan. I want a divorce."