Chapter 2

The heavy thud of the door closing felt like a fist squeezing my heart. It hurt so bad I could barely breathe.

Right then, my phone buzzed.

I thought it was Ethan.

But when I picked it up, it was a message from Hailey.

*Chloe, my power went out last night and I was so scared of the dark. Ethan only came over to keep me company. Please don't misunderstand.*

*Honestly, only insecure women get paranoid every day.*

I stared at the screen for a few seconds. I didn't reply, nor did I delete it.

So, the emergency that made Ethan kick me out of his car in a raging storm was just a simple power outage.

Yet, when I had a high fever and could barely move, I asked him for a glass of water, and he called me "dramatic."

I let out a bitter laugh.

When a man doesn't love you, it's so obvious.

Even if they hadn't slept together yet, his heart was already gone.

Over the next three days, Ethan didn't return.

I didn't waste any time. I started packing my things.

The apartment belonged to him, so I was the one who had to leave.

On the fourth day of our silent treatment, my best friend Sarah invited me out to clear my head.

In the past, I would have declined just to stay home and wait for Ethan's call.

But this time, I agreed immediately.

I also needed to go to the bridal shop to cancel my wedding dress.

But I never expected to run into the last two people I wanted to see.

Ethan and Hailey were standing right inside the shop.

When Ethan saw me, his eyes lit up for a fraction of a second before quickly turning into a look of sheer annoyance.

He frowned. "I told you the wedding was called off. Why did you follow me here? If you're not embarrassed, I am."

Before I could speak, Hailey piped up with a smirk.

"Ethan, don't be so harsh. Chloe's probably just terrified you’ll actually dump her. After all, the wedding date is so close."

"But Chloe, you're really embarrassing us women. If I were you, I’d at least hold out until the day before the wedding to beg for him back."

The friends standing with them laughed and chimed in.

"Man, Ethan, you really have your woman on a tight leash. One word and she comes running to the bridal shop. Teach us your ways, bro."

The flattery clearly boosted Ethan’s ego.

He looked at me like he was granting me a royal pardon.

"Fine, I get it. Since you want to get married so badly, I'll agree to it. Happy?"

I used to tolerate these jokes.

But today, looking at Ethan's smug face, I felt nothing but disgust.

I looked him dead in the eye and said coldly, "I'm not here for you. I'm here to cancel my dress."

I walked past them straight toward the counter.

Everyone froze. They didn't expect this reaction from me.

Hailey was the first to recover. She grabbed my wrist.

"Chloe, stop playing hard to get. Ethan already said he's coming home tonight."

"If you make him angry now, you’re just going to blame me for it later."

"Hailey, the only way you can get back with Ethan is if we break up. Stop acting so innocent. It’s pathetic."

With that, I snatched my wrist back.

I didn't use much force, but she let out a dramatic shriek and fell backward—right into Ethan's arms.

With teary eyes, she whimpered, "Ethan, maybe I should just leave."

"Your friends already think I'm a homewrecker because Chloe keeps misunderstanding us."

"I can take her hitting me today, but what if she comes to my house next time? How am I supposed to live like this?"

Ethan's face darkened completely.

He wrapped his arm tightly around Hailey and glared at me.

"Chloe, apologize. Now."

His tone left no room for argument.

But I didn't flinch. "No."

His jaw clenched.

"If you don't apologize, we are done. For real."

Even though I had already checked out of this relationship, hearing him say it still made my chest ache.

But I kept my face blank and smiled coldly.

"Fine. Let's break up."

***