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At that time, although Ethan was drunk, every word from him showed his excitement and joy. Mark’s gaze darkened as he thought about the
past.
He deposited Ethan in the backseat before sliding into the driver’s seat. All the way home, Ethan murmured “Natalie,” interspersed with slurred, inappropriate sweet talk.
Mark didn’t know what to say.
Finally, they arrived. Mark supported Ethan, asking, “What’s the password?”
Ethan, whose eyes were glazed, mumbled, “Natalie’s birthday… Natalie’s birthday…” He couldn’t recall the exact date.
Mark’s headache intensified. His eyes flickered as he entered a date he remembered. Then, the door unlocked.
The lights revealed a shocking scene. Mark surveyed the room and was stunned. Six months ago, it had been sparsely furnished, cold and impersonal. Now, it was like a different place. Twinkling lights adorned every corner; subtitles flashed across the walls. The rugs were soft; corner protectors shielded every sharp edge. It was like a house designed for someone with severe hearing loss!
Natalie, I’m home. I’ll make you your favorite fish,” Ethan mumbled.
Mark’s headache intensified. He steered Ethan towards the bedroom. Every step up the stairs triggered auditory cues. Mark was sure the 首 apartment was completely adapted for Natalie.
He deposited Ethan on the bed, pulling the covers over him. Then, he noticed several small white bottles on the nightstand. Assuming they were sleeping pills, he didn’t think much of it.
Exiting the room, he saw someone he shouldn’t have seen.
Mark’s face hardened.“Chloe, what are you doing here?!”
Chloe had been following him since the call. Ethan had avoided her since her recovery and refused to see her even when she used her parents as leverage. This had never happened before. It was all that bitch’s fault! She’d left, but she was still controlling Ethan!
Rage trembled in Chloe. Her venomous gaze was obvious.
Mark’s eyes grew colder.“Chloe!”
Chloe snapped out of it, ignoring him and heading towards the bedroom. “I’m going to take care of Ethan.”
Mark seized her wrist, his voice chilling. “He doesn’t want to see you. Go home.”
“He didn’t say it!”
Mark held her tightly; Chloe winced in pain, slapping his hand.
en help your
“Mark, are you even my brother?! You won’t even help your own sister!”
Mark’s anger flared.“You are the way you are because I spoiled you! Just because you’re depressed doesn’t mean you should get whatever you want! How many times do I have to tell you? Ethan doesn’t like you! Go home! If you come here again, I’ll have Mom and Dad cut you off!”
Something snapped in Chloe. She stopped struggling, her voice sharp. “You’re right. You shouldn’t have spoiled me. But you know what? I know you like Natalie!”
“You’re in love with your best friend’s girlfriend!”
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Mark’s pupils constricted.
Chloe’s sneer deepened. “You’ve had a crush on her for a long time, and I knew it. Even your computer wallpaper is her.” Her voice, sharp and clear, tore the fig leaf from Mark’s heart.
“The pink hair clip on your desk? Hers, right? You kept it for three years.”
Mark visibly flinched, a flicker of panic in his eyes.
“Every time you told me about Ethan’s whereabouts, it was intentional, wasn’t it?”
“Stop it!” Mark said coldly.
Chloe pressed on, looking more triumphant. “My dear brother, you’re just as dirty as I am. Why do you get to judge me?”
Mark’s face darkened. He gritted his teeth, growling in a low voice.“Chloe! Stop it!”
But she wouldn’t. Her voice became more hysterical. “What’s so great about her? Why are you all so obsessed with her? You guys have a thing for the deaf?”
Mark smaXXed her in the face, a sharp sound cut through the silence. Chloe was stunned, tears welling up. She covered her face, her expression
a mixture of hurt and resentment.
Mark, you slapped me for that slut! Did I hit a nerve? Are you embarrassed?”
Just as Mark was about to say something, his gaze fell on Ethan in the doorway.
His heart sank. The air stilled; Chloe’s tirade ceased. She followed his gaze.
Ethan stood there, leaning against the wall, his handsome face flushed with alcohol. His slightly drunken eyes fixed on them, unwavering.
A thrill of hope sparked in Chloe. She started towards him.“Ethan…”
Before she could reach him, Mark pulled her back.
He guided Ethan back to the bedroom. Finding him still unconscious from the alcohol, he calmed down. Chloe continued to shout from the doorway.
Mark rubbed his temples, took Chloe away, and shut the door.
The next second, Ethan opened his eyes. His gaze was clear, devoid of any sign of intoxication. He walked to the window, opening the curtains to watch Mark and Chloe leave.
His eyes were icy, a cold, mocking smile curving his lips. He hadn’t expected Mark, his best friend, to covet his girlfriend for so long.
Ethan unconsciously clenched his fists, the tendons in his hands standing out. Mark, pulling Chloe away, felt a chilling gaze on his back. He
looked back, but saw nothing.
After a long moment, Ethan went to Natalie’s studio. The familiar sight calmed his turmoil. If Natalie were here, she would recognize the setup, which was almost identical to how it had been before. The sketches were all hers, collected by him at great expense.
He even had someone complete a partially finished piece of hers. He’d painstakingly recreated the entire room based on his memories.
Ethan sat in the chair before the drawing board, his eyes fixed on a wedding dress design – the one Natalie had sold three months ago for two hundred million. It was his favorite, the dress she’d designed for their wedding. He couldn’t accept that she no longer wanted it.
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Ethan’s fingers traced the delicate details of the dress design, murmuring Natalie’s name over and over again. He missed her so much it was like having a constant stomachache. The sound echoed in the silent studio, sending shivers down one’s spine.
Three years later, at a plane to New York.
I woke up with a gasp, breathing fast with beads of sweat on my forehead and the fear of the terrifying dream in my eyes. I’d dreamt of Ethan again! Over the past three years, I’d had recurring nightmares about him; I couldn’t recall the details, but he was always a distorted, frightening figure.
My best friend, Summer, handed me a glass of warm water.“What’s wrong? Fear of coming home?”
I took a sip, trying to calm down.“I dreamt about Ethan.”
Summer looked disgusted.“Don’t mention that jerk. I hate him.”
“You won’t believe this. Not long after you left, that jerk showed up at our company. And some colleagues said he bought most of your designs at exorbitant prices.”
frowned.“What?”
Summer showed me a screenshot of a chat log.“I just found out. A friend sent this to me.”
My eyes widened at the familiar profile picture. Ethan’s picture hadn’t changed; it was a photo I took of a rabbit when we were together. I hadn’t expected him to still be using it.
Summer quickly changed the subject.“Let’s just say he’s got too much money to burn.”
I whispered, “Whatever. He doesn’t matter to me anymore.”
“Exactly! Don’t let him ruin your mood,” Summer agreed.
I arrived at the airport at 10 AM. Summer had to catch a connecting flight, so we parted ways. I wore light makeup, my hair softly curled. My simple trench coat and white scarf made me look both serene and elegant.
As I stepped out, my mother called.
“Natalie, Peter’s waiting for you at the airport. Have dinner with him.”
Her hopeful voice filled my ears.
“Mom, I…” I tried to refuse, but she hung up.
I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. My parents knew about Ethan. For the past year, my mother, probably influenced by too many dramas and online stories, had believed I couldn’t let go of Ethan. She’d relentlessly tried to set me up on blind dates, but I had turned them down on the grounds that I was busy with work. Now that I was back, I had to face it.
I started towards the designated spot.
“Natalie.”
A deep male voice stopped me. I turned and saw a pair of dark, intense eyes. The man was tall, impeccably dressed in a black coat. His expression was serious and aloof, with an air of sophistication, like an educated playboy.
It took me a moment to recognize him. Peter Caffrey. He was one of Ethan’s college friends and had gone abroad after graduation. My only memory of him was that he was cold. I’d met Ethan’s friends during my relationship with him; they were all polite, except Peter; he seemed to dislike me.
I didn’t expect to run into someone connected to Ethan on my first day back. I nodded politely and moved to walk around him.
But as we passed, his long fingers stopped my suitcase.
His cold voice cut through the air.“Natalie Ellis, I’m your blind date.”
Meanwhile, at the airport exit, Mark and Ethan stood waiting. Their striking good looks attracted many glances.
Mark cursed as he read a message on his phone.“What’s wrong with Peter? After all these years, we came to pick him up, and he told us to go
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back. This is weird.”
Ethan remained silent, his gaze scanning the crowd, seemingly searching for Seone.
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In the parking lot, as they got into their car, a black Maybach pulled alongside them. Mark glanced over, only to see Peter and a woman beside him. Even through the car window, the woman’s beauty was obvious.
“Peter!” Mark called out.
–
Ethan followed his gaze. His pupils constricted. In that instant, a storm of emotions erupted within him a tumultuous mixture of longing and fear. His fingers trembled uncontrollably.
6
