Chapter 3

Ethan enjoyed Ava’s attention while grimacing through her ministrations.

“Claire wasn’t like this before. Maybe work became too stressful after graduation and she changed.”

“Don’t say things like that anymore. If Claire hears you, she’ll start a fight with me again.”

Ava rolled her eyes.

“Ethan, stop making excuses for her. Does the way she hit you today look like she respects you at all?”

“No wonder your mom never really liked her. If my son brought home a girlfriend that domineering, I wouldn’t like her either.”

“She’s always so hostile. Your parents don’t like her, so why not just break up with her and find someone else?”

Ethan was silent for a moment before answering hoarsely.

“It’s not that simple. We’ve been together for so many years. You can’t just let go overnight.”

“Besides, nobody’s perfect. Claire is beautiful, emotionally intelligent, and good at her job. Most importantly, she loves me. Given my options, she’s still the best choice.”

Ethan listed every advantage of marrying me, and Ava grew frantic.

“But I love you too, Ethan! Our families are a good match, and we grew up together. I’ve always been the person you loved most. Aren’t I obviously the better choice?”

She leaned toward him, trying to kiss him, but he stopped her.

The two of them began chasing each other around the couch in an absurd little game.

I had only come back to retrieve the purse I’d left by the entrance. I never expected to see something so ridiculous.

They were so absorbed in confessing their feelings that they didn’t even hear me open the door.

Their intimacy sent my heart sinking into an abyss.

I suddenly remembered the beginning of our relationship. One day, it started raining right after class, and neither of us had an umbrella.

Ethan was afraid I would get wet, so he ran through the rain to a store and bought one. Then he hurried back to campus to pick me up and walked me all the way to my dorm.

By the time we reached the building, Ethan was soaked from head to toe. I only had a few splashes of rain on my pant legs.

That boy, who had once cherished and protected me so carefully, had eventually been swallowed by time.

All that remained was the Ethan who had learned to weigh every benefit and cost.

Maybe I really did need to reconsider our relationship.

I took a deep breath and forced back the tears in my eyes before leaving the apartment.

That night, I poured one ice-cold beer after another down my throat.

My best friend, Mia, pushed open the door.

She watched me drink with a troubled expression. In the end, she reached out and snatched the glass from my hand.

“I don’t know why you’re sitting here drinking alone, but as your best friend, I need to remind you of something.”

“Your period is already two weeks late.”

Her words made my alcohol-clouded brain freeze for a moment.

“What did you say?”

“I said your period is two weeks late. We usually get ours around the same time, and mine ended ages ago. You still haven’t gotten yours. Haven’t you noticed anything strange?”

I shot to my feet. A beer bottle toppled off the table and shattered on the floor.

I irritably ran both hands through my hair.

“No way. Ethan and I have always been careful. It can’t have happened this easily.”

Mia rolled her eyes.

“What if it did? We’ve known each other for years. Your period has always been regular. This is the first time it’s been delayed this long.”

Her words sent a jolt through me. I didn’t even bother changing my shoes before racing downstairs to the pharmacy for a pregnancy test.