Chapter 3
That evening, I dressed carefully and drove to a restaurant.
A few friends were throwing me a welcome-home dinner. I was sure Ethan and his little mistress would show up, too.
I arrived early. Only a few people were in the private dining room, so I took a seat and chatted with friends.
Before long, everyone had arrived—except Ethan and Sophie, who made their entrance late.
When Ethan led Sophie inside by the hand, eyes around the room drifted toward me.
A close friend sitting beside me leaned over and whispered in my ear, “She looks a little like you. Is she supposed to be your replacement?”
I laughed. “Don’t start. If she’s my replacement, does that make me the unforgettable first love who comes home to ruin everything? Am I the villain now?”
While my friend and I joked, Ethan kept watching us. His stare made me uncomfortable, so I lifted my head and met his eyes.
The instant our gazes crossed, he looked away. Our friends noticed, and I could practically see them itching for gossip.
Sophie shot me an unfriendly glance, then looped her arm through Ethan’s as if staking her claim. “Ethan, I’m a little cold.”
He immediately took off his jacket and draped it gently over her shoulders.
Then he called a server over and asked them to turn up the room’s temperature.
After that little performance, Sophie gave me a smug glance, her eyes full of triumph.
Several people started praising Ethan. Honestly, calling it anything but sucking up would have been generous.
“Who would’ve thought? Mr. Reed looks so unapproachable, but he’s so thoughtful with his girlfriend. Young, successful, and devoted? That’s a rare combination!”
“If only my husband were half as considerate. Sophie, you’re so lucky to have such an amazing boyfriend…”
…
One compliment followed another until they had practically put Ethan on a pedestal. Sophie lifted her chin so high I could see up her nose.
Beside me, Jenna Hayes looked even angrier than I felt. She muttered in my defense, “These people are such status-obsessed suck-ups. Without your help, there would be no Mr. Reed. And now he’s acting like he did it all himself. Shameless!” 5.
I gently patted Jenna’s shoulder, trying to calm her down. But the comments around us only grew more outrageous, and blunt, outspoken Jenna finally couldn’t sit still.
“You know what’s funny? Ethan, I remember when you were just some broke guy.
“If Claire hadn’t given you everything she had and spent three years overseas for you, you wouldn’t be where you are today.
“Now that you’ve made it, you’ve tossed her aside.
“Aren’t you afraid karma’s going to catch up with you?”
Her words brought the lively room to an abrupt silence.
Ethan’s expression darkened. He slammed his silverware onto the table, his voice laced with menace.
“Jenna Hayes, I have no idea what makes you think you can speak to me like that.
“If you have such a problem with me, I don’t see any reason for our companies to keep working together.”