Chapter 4

The memory snapped me back to the present.

I did not go home. I went straight to Emily Scott, my closest friend.

Emily had been my college classmate and was now a prominent lawyer.

She looked at me and knew immediately what had happened.

"That bastard Howard is giving you trouble again," she said. "Married for just a few days, and he is already acting like this?"

I had not eaten, and my pale face made me look fragile.

"You've made yourself into this state. You should never have gone home with them in the first place," she scolded, though her worry for me was obvious beneath the playful anger.

"Alright, I came here for a reason," I said with a small smile. "You're the only one who can help me get through this.

"I want to get divorced as soon as possible. I don't care if I leave with nothing."

Emily slapped my shoulder, half in frustration, half in disbelief. "You really have no spine. You're getting divorced, and you won't even ask for more money?"

"I just want this marriage over," I said. "I don't want him threatening me with money anymore."

Her expression softened, worry creeping in. "What about your parents' medical bills?"

"I'll figure it out myself," I said quietly, my gaze dropping. I did not say more.

The doorbell rang.

"That must be the delivery," Emily said, heading to the door.

She froze as soon as she opened it.

"Ethan, what are you doing here?" she asked.

Ethan Scott stood there, bag in hand, swaying it slightly.

"I came to save you two from starving to death," he said, grinning.

Ethan was Emily's twin, and the three of us had been inseparable in college.

And of course, he was also my ex-boyfriend.

"I just ordered takeout," Emily said, slightly flustered.

Ethan glanced at me, a little awkward. "You have a sick person at home, and you're eating takeout? That's not how you take care of someone."

Something clicked in my mind. I narrowed my eyes at Emily. "Did you tell Ethan I was here?"

Emily ducked behind him, feigning innocence. "Hey, don't blame me. He asked. Today is your checkup, and he wanted me to check on you at the hospital. You came to my place instead, and I accidentally mentioned it."

Her voice trailed off, but the truth was clear. Ethan ignored us completely and headed straight for the kitchen.

Within minutes, he had a table full of dishes, each one steaming and smelling irresistible.

I was just about to reach for a plate when my phone rang. I groaned. It was the kind of call you wish would never come.

Before I could even touch it, Ethan snatched the phone from my hand.

"Where are you? I'm home already," a sharp, impatient voice barked from the line.

"In my house," came a cool, unfamiliar voice. I found myself staring at Ethan, completely dazed.

That voice, that face. Years ago, they had made my heart skip like crazy.

"Who is this? Where's Olivia? You let her take the call!" Howard snapped.

I murmured a quiet "uh-huh," and his tone shifted from impatient to downright furious. "Olivia! You think you can flirt with men now? You get up to all sorts of nonsense outside, and now you're just going to stay out? Come home immediately!"

I opened my mouth to reply, but Ethan pressed a hand over it. "She's just at a friend's for dinner. Do you even know she went to the hospital today and hasn't eaten a thing?" he said. "You want her to collapse on the street?

"And honestly, you can't even cook for yourself without Olivia, can you? That's pathetic. Really, maybe you should get your head checked."

Click. He hung up before Howard could say another word.

Emily leaned over and gave Ethan a thumbs-up. "That was epic. You didn't even leave him a chance to argue. Olivia, take notes."

Ethan's expression did not change. He still looked distant, almost untouchable. He picked up several pieces of grilled meat and dropped them onto my plate.

"Eat," he said. "No talking. Just finish your food."

Emily leaned forward, clearly annoyed. "Ethan, why don't you ever serve me?"

He did not even look at her. "How old are you? Do you not have hands?" he said. "Olivia is a guest. If anything happens to her, we are the ones responsible."

So many years had passed, and he was still the same. His words were sharp, but his actions told a different story.

Emily suddenly brightened. "Oh, right, Ethan. Olivia is getting divorced soon." My heart jumped. I hurried to explain, but I froze the moment I met his eyes. They were calm, cold, and impossible to read.

"He treats you badly?" he asked.

That was all it took. I had no answer ready.

In front of him, I had always been easy to read. Every thought showed on my face.

"Yes," I said quietly, lowering my head as I took a few hurried bites of rice.

"When will it happen?" he asked.

"I am not sure yet," I said, my voice unsteady. "But I want it done as soon as possible."

He watched me for a moment. Then he spoke again. "If you get divorced, will you accept me?"

I looked up, startled. "What did you just say?"

There was a trace of impatience in his eyes now. "After the divorce," he said, his voice steady, "can we start over?"

I blinked, still trying to catch up, and said, "What?"