Chapter 3

After that night, I actively avoided Ethan.

He tried to contact me multiple times, but I didn't have the courage to face him.

I wasn't throwing a tantrum. I was just terrified that the next time we spoke, he would say the words *'Let's break up.'*

But our campus wasn't that big. We eventually ran into each other.

"Val, wait! Listen to me," Ethan called out, chasing after me.

I admit, I was a coward. I only knew how to run away from reality.

"We can talk later. I'm really busy right now."

I quickened my pace, terrified of hearing him end things.

"Val, stop for a second!"

I kept walking.

"Valerie!"

He caught up to me and grabbed my wrist, forcing me to stop. "I need you."

He needed... me?

What did that mean?

His eyes were shining with an intensity I had never seen when we were alone together.

"That girl from the other night, Chloe... you know who she is, right?"

I nodded slowly.

"She’s pregnant." I was shocked by how easily he admitted it.

"Whether the baby is mine or not, I want to help her."

So, he wasn't trying to break up with me?

"How do you want to help?" My heart rate slowed down slightly.

"She’s staying at my place for now. But I don't know how to take care of a pregnant woman on my own. Can you help me, please?"

Seeing Ethan beg so humbly made my stomach turn.

In our relationship, he had always been the one on the pedestal. I was always the one trying to please him, making all the compromises.

I never imagined the first time he lowered his head to me would be for the sake of his first love.

A sudden surge of anger boiled up inside me.

"Ethan, what do you take me for?!" I screamed at him.

Passersby turned to stare. Ethan looked stunned.

Ever since we started dating, I had never raised my voice at him. I had never even frowned. Every time I was upset, I swallowed my pride and let it go.

But this time, it was too much.

"Are you really not going to help?"

His brows furrowed, and he immediately started looking for other options. My feelings didn't register with him at all.

To him, only Chloe mattered.

"Fine. Forget it."

With that, Ethan turned and walked away. Just like he had shut that apartment door, he didn't hesitate for a second.

0