I let the ring sparkle. “And this little thing? It cost more than Ethan’s annual salary.”
The room fell silent.
The first to recover was Ethan’s younger sister, Jessica. She sneered. “Married? You? Don’t make me laugh. Weren’t you the one who swore you’d only ever love my brother?”
She eyed my ring with disdain. “I bet that’s a cheap knockoff. Probably tastes sweet if you lick it.”
Mr. Grant’s brow furrowed. “Audrey, this is no time for jokes. You don’t have to resort to these tactics. Ethan has a big heart. He’s already forgiven you.” He puffed out his chest. “Just nod your head in a few minutes, and you’ll be a Grant. You’ll never have to worry about money again. If it weren’t for that boy being so lovesi- ck over you, I wouldn’t even want you as a daughter–in–law!”
Their words were like water off a duck’s back. I glanced at my watch. Leo was probably waiting. I needed to get out of here. His celebrity status meant he couldn’t linger at the airport for long.
My simple gesture was, of course, misinterpreted.
“Look at her, pretending to be tough,” Jessica muttered. “She’s probably dying for Ethan to get here.” She sighed dramatically. “God, the thought of having her as a sister–in–law is so depressing. I miss Chloe. I still don’t get why Ethan dumped her.” She crossed her arms, glaring at me with the same provocative look Chloe once had. Like minds, I supposed.
None of it mattered. It was time to go.
“Excuse me, everyone,” I said politely. “I have a prior engagement. I must be going.”
I turned to leave and froze.
Ethan was standing in the doorway. His white coat was splattered with blood; he must have rushed here straight from the operating room. He looked thinner, worn down. The past three years had clearly not been kind to him.
2011
20:33
20:34
Chapter 2
He let go of the doorknob and reached out, his fingers tracing the line of my cheek. His touch was so gentle, so careful, as if I were made of glass.
“Audrey,” he breathed. “I’ve missed you so much.”
I stepped back, pulling away from his touch. My tone was cool, but polite. “It’s been a long time, Ethan.”
The fragile light in his eyes flickered and died. His voice trembled. “Why are you talking to me like that? Are you still angry with me?”
I shook my head, a sliver of impatience finally cutting through my composure. “Angry about what, Ethan? For stealing my research and giving it to Chloe?”
At her name, a flash of panic crossed his face. “I was wrong about that, I know. But I was trying to help you!” he insisted. “Chloe told me you’d been drinking before surgery. She threatened to go to the police. It was the only way I could think of to protect you, so I…”
I gave him a knowing smile. So that was the truth. “Help me? What exactly did I do that required your ‘help‘? You should have let her call the police. At least then I wouldn’t have been ruined by an idiot like you.” My voice was flat. “Don’t apologize to me. I won’t accept it. Justice that comes too late is just bullshit. Ethan, don’t live in the past. Three years is a long time. Whatever love, or hate, I once felt… it’s gone.”
He stared at me, confused, not understanding.
I didn’t bother to explain. I walked toward the door, but he grabbed my wrist, his grip iron–tight. A dull ache
throbbed from the old injury.
“It’s not gone for me!” he suddenly yelled, startling everyone in the room.
Realizing his outburst, he quickly lowered his voice, his tone shifting to one of desperation. “It’s not gone.”
“Audrey, can we… can we please start over?” He pulled a ring from his pocket, the diamond even bigger and gaudier than the last one. “I know you didn’t like the other one, so I got you a bigger one this time. Will you
please…”
