Chapter 5

I developed a high fever. The cold rain and the infected burn on my hand made my body burn like fire.

Inside the walk-in closet, I didn't touch any of the expensive dresses or jewelry he had bought without even knowing my size.

At 8:00 PM, the electronic lock on the front door beeped.

I thought Ethan wouldn't come back, but he did—and he brought Sienna with him.

He looked up and saw the cardboard boxes stacked in the living room.

"Sienna's hotel is having an electrical maintenance outage, and she's afraid of the dark."

"The guest room has been empty anyway. I brought her here to stay for a couple of nights."

"Why are you packing boxes in the living room?"

Before I could answer, Ethan noticed my pale face. Ignoring my resistance, he pulled me into his arms from behind.

"Stop acting up."

"She's only staying for two nights. You've been with me for three years. You're the sensible one."

"Don't act like a petty little girl. Be mature."

He was so sure that I loved him to death, convinced that this was just my way of begging for his attention.

I didn't struggle. I let him hold me, my eyes looking past his shoulder, coldly staring at my own reflection in the window.

Sienna walked around the living room. Her eyes landed on a small ornament hanging by the sink.

It was a silver protection charm. Two years ago, I had walked up the steps of the cathedral, kneeling at every step, to pray for it.

Sienna picked it up and toyed with it.

"Ethan, this little thing is so unique."

Two years ago, Ethan had a high fever that wouldn't break for a week, despite all the meds.

Desperate, I had braved a massive blizzard alone to get this charm from the cathedral.

At that time, Ethan kept the charm pressed against his chest like a priceless treasure, refusing to take it off even when showering.

He had sworn that I had risked my life to get it for him, that it was more precious than his own life, and no one was allowed to touch it.

But now, Sienna was casually playing with it.

"I actually need a charm for my bag. Can I have this?"

Ethan let her play with the item he once valued more than his life, not seeing anything wrong with it.

"It's just a cheap trinket. Take it if you want."

"I'll have my secretary buy you a nice Chanel bag charm from the mall later."

In his eyes, I had already passed the age of needing to be carefully cherished.

He took it for granted that because I had stood by him through the hard times, I should be the mature, understanding, and obedient pushover.

I snatched the charm out of Sienna's hand.

Sienna gasped and took a step back.

"Why are you being so stingy?"

I didn't even look at her.

"You're right. A piece of cheap trash doesn't deserve to be a charm."

Ethan's face instantly darkened, but Sienna quickly grabbed his arm.

"It's fine, Ethan. Don't be mad."

"You have to accompany me to the medical equipment expo tomorrow morning. It's a busy schedule."

She was intentionally marking her territory for tomorrow. Ethan gave me a cold look.

"Calm yourself down tonight. We'll talk later."

With that, he led Sienna up to the second-floor guest room.

Just then, my phone buzzed continuously. It was an urgent text from the moving company.

"Miss Miller, the weather bureau just issued a red alert. The hurricane will make landfall early tomorrow morning."

"All of tomorrow's orders are canceled."

"If you are sure you want to move tonight, our truck will arrive at your back gate in ten minutes."

"It's now or never. Can you leave right now?"

I looked up at the tightly shut guest room door on the second floor.

The warm light spilling from under the door stung my eyes.

He was probably coddling his "insecure" first love right now.

For the past few years, I had stared at empty chat screens, waiting for his care and affection, looking like a pathetic joke.

Now, the storm was coming, but the man who was supposed to be my shelter had already put his umbrella over someone else.

Since I could never get a reply, I would cut the last thread of hope myself.

Without hesitation, I typed back and hit send.

"I can leave right now."