8
At the hospital rooftop, dawn breaking. Chloe, tears streaming down her face, stood precariously close to the edge. She was swaying in the wind.
Ethan’s eyes narrowed. Chloe, calm down! I brought Natalie!” He shoved me forward.
Chloe, whose eyes blazing, pointed at me.“Why? Why did you have me exposed online?!”
I frowned. I knew she was faking, but she was distraught and there were so many people around; no one would believe me.
*Chloe, I didn’t have you exposed. Come down, we can talk.”
Chloe shrieked. Then explain it! Tell them I’m not the other woman!”
All eyes turned to me, urging me to do it.
A doctor in a white coat shouted, “Miss Ellis, come on! This is about her life!”
A firefighter added, “Miss Ellis, we don’t have much time. Please cooperate.”
Chloe’s family angrily shouted, Natalie Ellis, are you trying to kill Chloe?!”
Ethan stared at me, his eyes pleading.“Natalie, an explanation will save Chloe’s life! What are you waiting for?!”
I felt like I was on trial. My hands were clenched, my throat constricted with unshed tears.
After a long moment, I managed a single word, “Okay.”
I pulled out my phone, recorded a video, and posted it. “This is the account owner. The story was entirely fictional. Please stop harassing that innocent girl.
Chloe’s agitation subsided. Ethan seized the opportunity, pulling her back from the edge.
“Ethan…” Chloe sobbed into his arms.
“It’s okay, it’s okay,” he soothed, patting her back.
Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief, rushing to comfort Chloe. Becoming invisible again, I left quietly.
Within half an hour, public opinion reversed. Those who had criticized Chloe for being the other woman turned on me, accusing me of seeking attention. Some even laughed at my hearing impairment.
While I was running errands, someone almost threw acid on me. Ethan shielded me with his coat.
We went back home, and he anxiously examined every inch of my skin. Seeing no injuries, he relieved. “Natalie, please don’t go out these days.”
I glanced at the calendar. It’s fine; I’m leaving tomorrow anyway.”
Guilt clouded Ethan’s face. I’m sorry. Tomorrow is Chloe’s final treatment. After that, we’ll clear everything up.
He spoke, but my ears were numb. How could I have ever thought Ethan was my redeemer? He’d only dragged me deeper into a pit of pain and betrayal.
I spent my last day in the city alone.
Ethan drove me to the airport. Before check–in, he described Swiss delicacies.
Their ice cream is famous. You shouldn’t miss it. And the lamb soup is quite unique…”
I listened quietly without response.
The airport announcement called for boarding.
Without a word, I turned. Watching me walk away, a wave of panic washed over Ethan. He called out, Natalie, as soon as you get back, we’ll get
married!”
I paused, a smile playing on my lips.“Ethan, goodbye.”
RealShor
< 8
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You lied to me once; I lied to you once. We were even.
Ten minutes later, I wasn’t on a plane to Switzerland, but to Paris. After boarding, I opened Twitter and wrote the complete story. Even though I was leaving the country, I needed to set the record straight. I scheduled the post for an hour later–the moment Ethan and Chloe’s wedding ceremony began.
After that, I opened Whatsapp and saw Chloe’s pre–wedding rehearsal video. I never expected the smiling man in a white suit to be the same guy who’d dropped me off at the airport this morning.
I smiled, liked the post, then sent a message to Ethan after transferring 999 bucks to him.
“Ethan, here’s your wedding gift. Happy wedding. I’m done with you.”
Without hesitation, I blocked them both. Above the clouds, the sky was endless; they were no longer my concern.
