Chapter 3

I didn't make a scene. I confronted Ethan in front of everyone and asked, "What gives you the right to blame me?"

No one in the ER said a word.

Tara was leaning against Ethan, crying softly.

Ethan lowered his voice. "Summer, don't interfere with work."

I shot back, "You're the one disrupting work here. My mom's in the observation room, and you're over here passing out wedding favors."

Some people kept their heads down, pretending to be busy with their charts.

Suddenly, Tara clapped a hand over her mouth. "Ugh, I think I'm gonna puke."

The ER staff immediately started making jokes.

"Wow, got married and already pregnant?"

"Dr. Brooks, you really don't waste any time!"

Ethan's face fell. He quickly helped Tara. "Let's draw some blood and check it out."

My mom was still in the observation room. But Ethan stuck to Tara like glue, never leaving her side while she got her blood drawn.

I stood by the lab window, watching him personally label each blood tube. He was so careful, it was almost unbearable to watch.

When the results came back, it turned out Tara had gastritis.

She rubbed her stomach, smiling shyly with her head down. "Wish I really had a baby on the way."

Ethan turned to Tara and said, right in front of the staff, "When we have a baby, I'll give you a proper home."

I thought it had nothing to do with me. But when I got home that night, there was an agreement sitting on the coffee table. It was a Living Arrangement Agreement.

It read: [To make it easier for Tara Collins to prepare for pregnancy and recover afterwards, Summer Hughes agrees to move out of the master bedroom.]

I held the paper and laughed for a long time.

I was the one who put down the 60 thousand dollars down payment for that apartment. I used my credit card to cover the renovation costs.

All these years, I'd been sending Ethan 900 dollars every month for the mortgage.

But the title was in his name alone. He said doctors had an easier time getting approved for loans.

He had told me, "Summer, between us, there's no difference between yours and mine."

But now, he was drawing a clear line. Tara got the master bedroom.

I had to give up my own bed.

I asked, "What's the deal with this agreement?"

Ethan was sitting on the couch. "Tara married me. It's not right for her to still be staying in the dorm. The master bedroom gets the best sunlight. It's perfect for her to start trying for a baby."

I spread the agreement out in front of him. "I spent 60 thousand dollars on this house. And the mortgage is still ongoing."

He frowned. "We've been together for eight years. Don't be so petty about the money."

Tara came out of the kitchen with a glass of water. She was wearing an apron, looking every bit like the lady of the house. "Summer, don't worry. I won't stay here for free. Would 240 dollars a month be alright?"

I almost burst out laughing.

I shot back, "240 dollars? Are you kidding me?"

I grabbed the agreement and ripped it to shreds.

Ethan grabbed my wrist with a sudden motion. "If you keep acting like this, I'll have to transfer your mom out of the observation room and into a regular ward."

I looked up at him.

He continued, "And it's not like you need me to coordinate the dialysis schedule."

The room was dead silent.

Tara had stopped crying. She stood behind Ethan, looking down at me. She looked all sweet and innocent. And she looked pretty pleased with herself.

I slowly pulled my hand away. "Ethan, you're really holding my mom's life over my head?"

He avoided my gaze. "I want you to calm down."

I nodded. "Fine. I'll be so calm, you'll regret it."