Chapter 3

When I woke up again, I was lying in a hospital bed.

I had an IV drip in my arm.

The nurse had just finished changing my IV bag.

Seeing me awake, she smiled kindly.

"You went into anaphylactic shock from eating peanuts. Good thing your boyfriend got you to the hospital in time."

I felt dazed.

No wonder I had felt so sick earlier.

I thought I was just disgusted by Ethan.

I didn't expect it to be an actual allergic reaction.

And it was because of the takeout Ethan had bought me.

How ironic.

He couldn't even remember my peanut allergy.

Yet, he remembered to send his ex money on every single holiday to "make up" for his mistakes.

Just then, Ethan pushed the door open and walked in.

He was holding my discharge papers and the hospital bill.

He rushed over, his face full of concern.

"You're finally awake! How are you feeling? Any discomfort?"

"I'm so sorry, Elena. It was my fault. I forgot to check if the food had peanuts in it."

His hand wrapped around mine, familiar and warm.

But I couldn't find a single trace of affection for him anymore.

I pulled my hand away, ignoring him.

Once the nurse left, only the two of us remained in the room.

We used to talk about everything, but now there was only suffocating silence.

Eventually, he broke it.

"I know you're mad at me, but I can explain."

I closed my eyes, my throat tight.

"What is there left to explain?"

He placed his phone in front of me.

"Look, other than the money transfers and holiday wishes, we never talk about anything else. I've never crossed the line."

I stared at him quietly.

He was right.

They didn't have any flirty or physical interactions.

But that didn't mean they were innocent.

Sending money with those specific romantic numbers is something only couples do.

Yet, he had never put that much effort into me.

In all our years of dating, I had never asked him for anything.

The only time we ever talked about romance was during a game of truth or dare with friends.

Back then, he had frowned and said it was pointless.

To ease the tension, I had laughed it off and said I didn't care about those things either.

I used to convince myself that there was no need to force him.

But in the end, I was the joke.

I stared at his Snapchat screen and suddenly asked, "Is your username related to her too?"

Ethan froze.

I didn't wait for his answer and kept going:

"Your username, your phone wallpaper, your social media accounts, even your gaming gamertag... they're all customized for her, aren't they?"

He looked down, his voice barely audible:

"I just got used to them. I was too lazy to change them."

I suddenly burst out laughing.

"Too lazy?"

"Ethan, I remember asking you more than once to change our wallpapers to a photo of us."

"But you refused every time, saying it was childish and unnecessary."

Ethan’s face went completely pale.

"I thought those were just minor things..."

My mouth opened, but no words came out.

A deep sense of helplessness washed over me.

To him, I was always just a "minor thing."

So what did I actually mean to him?

Just a convenient, replaceable substitute?

Suddenly, I lost all energy to argue with him.

"Just leave. I want to rest."

He tried to say more.

"Elena, I really only sent her money because of our agreement..."

But I didn't want to hear another word.

I grabbed the IV line in my hand and threatened him in a raspy voice, "If you don't leave, I'll walk out myself!"

Seeing me about to rip the needle out, he panicked and stopped me.

"Don't do anything reckless! I'm leaving. Get some rest. I'll come back to see you tomorrow."

I turned my head away, refusing to look at him.

Only when the room fell completely quiet did I let go of the IV line, letting my tears flow freely.

Ethan was still hiding something from me.

I had to find out the truth myself.

#### Chapter