I was busy responding to Lily’s message, ignoring Ethan.
L
“Oh? It’s just a jacket. Even if it were a gift, it
wouldn’t matter.”
Just then, Lily sent a picture of a mysterious
guest’s profile.
I handed the microphone to Chloe and told
Ethan,
“You two sing. I have something to do, I’ll go
first.”
Before Ethan could speak, Chloe stopped me,
her eyes brimming with tears.
“Nina, are you still misunderstanding me and
Ethan? We’re really not what you think.”
As Chloe wished, I saw a tattoo on her inner
arm. A sword and a rose.
Two months ago, I’d seen the same tattoo on
Ethan.
Meeting Ethan’s panicked gaze, I did
something unexpected.
In front of everyone, I took his hand and
Chloe’s, and clasped them together.
く
With a composed smile, I said,
“True love knows no bounds. The one who
isn’t loved is the third wheel.
Don’t worry, I sincerely wish you two
happiness together.”
Chapter 2
“Anyway, just pick a date and let everyone
know,” I said, casually strolling out of the
private room. Ethan relentlessly followed.
His face was terrifyingly pale.
“Nina, let me explain. Please, just listen,” he
pleaded.
I looked at him, puzzled.
“You and Chloe seem pretty happy together.
Why explain to me?”
“Chloe and I aren’t together! I know the
matching tattoos gave you the wrong idea.
But I swear, I got that tattoo because I lost a
bet with Owen and his crew. It means
absolutely nothing.
<
I can get it removed tomorrow.
Nina, we’ve been together for so long, can’t
you trust me this once?”
His frantic, high–pitched voice drew the
attention of passersby.
A wave of disgust washed over me.
“Ethan, don’t be so emotional. Let’s talk after
I’m done with my friends.”
When I saw Ethan escorting Chloe in and out
of the hospital, taking care of her, I’d acted
like a lunatic, yelling at him in public. Back
then, he’d brushed me off.
Now, the tables had turned. For the first time,
I saw genuine shock and hurt in his eyes.
Ignoring his distraught look, I turned and
walked back into the private room.
Over the next few hours, my phone buzzed
repeatedly.
Ethan sent dozens of texts, first asking what
time I’d be home; he’d wait for me.
Then, he nagged me not to drink too much;
just a couple of glasses if I must.
He said he’d already bought allergy medicine.
If I felt unwell, I should find him.
Finally, he called. When he got through, his
voice was gentle.
“Nina, are you done? I’ll come get you.”
“I’ve already left with a friend.”
Ethan thought I was joking.
So I put my phone on speakerphone and let
my college friend, who was giving me a ride,
speak to him. Ethan had heard rumors about
my close relationship with Yu An in college.
Though I couldn’t see Ethan’s face, I heard
his breathing grow rapid, sensing his anger
rising.
To avoid a pointless argument, I hung up.
That night, I didn’t go home. I stayed at Lily’s,
enjoying a long–awaited girls‘ night.
Around 12:30 pm, I finally remembered to
L
charge my dead phone. As soon as it turned
on, Ethan called.
Dozens of missed calls filled my screen.
I rubbed my temples and answered wearily.
“Nina, where are you?”
His voice was hoarse.
I pressed my lips together. “It’s Friday.
Besides work, where else would I be?”
He paused before telling me he’d come to my
office that morning. He was in the parking lot
downstairs.
My lie was busted, but I remained unfazed,
even turning the tables on him.
“Ethan, are you that free?
Why are you so nosy?
I’m a grown woman, I don’t need to report to
you.”
He quickly explained,
“That’s not what I meant. I just wanted to
take you home….. Nina, you must be at Lily’s.
く
right? I’ll pick you up now.”
My workplace was indeed close to Lily’s
place. I agreed to his offer.
He got out to open the passenger door for
- me.
Once inside, I noticed something under my
feet.
A pair of red–soled women’s heels.
Ethan frantically threw the shoes out of the
car, his eyes darting about.
“Chloe drank too much last night and threw
up everywhere. I didn’t even notice her shoes
were in the car. Nina, please don’t…‘
11
I interrupted. “Ethan, I really don’t care.”
“…What?”
“I don’t care what happens in your life. You
don’t need to explain anything.”
He stared at my sleeping profile.
He knew I wasn’t lying.
We got home, I showered. When I came out
く
of the bathroom, Ethan, who never cooks, had
made two bowls of unattractive scallion oil
noodles, waiting for me to sit across from
him.
Before, I’d looked forward to Ethan coming
home, eating the food I’d carefully prepared
to his liking.
But over the years, he never told me about his
dinner engagements, and he never said
anything positive about my cooking.
Too salty, too greasy, too disgusting, made
me want to throw up… these were his usual
comments.
