Chapter 3

I pushed the car door open, trying to get out myself.

But he got out first and scooped me up in his arms. His movements weren't gentle, but he didn't let me fall either.

Inside, he found the medicine kit and awkwardly sprayed medication on my ankle, his expression still cold.

"Don't do this again."

I silently watched him complete this task.

Ethan was always like this---giving me a slap, then a piece of candy.

Hot and cold, making me second-guess myself countless times.

Did he have even a shred of genuine feeling for me?

Agonizing over whether someone loves you is truly stupid, yet I'd been stupid for five years.

It was time to wake up.

Too tired to keep guessing his thoughts, I casually said thanks.

Ethan stood in front of the sofa, motionless.

"Anything else?"

Ethan pressed his lips together. "Don't you have anything you want to ask me?"

I shook my head calmly.

Actually, I'd already checked Claire's social media.

Yesterday she'd posted on Twitter---a photo of a plane landing.

The caption read "Waiting for you."

I'd scrolled through all the comments but didn't see any trace of Ethan liking or commenting.

But I knew he would go.

And indeed, that's what happened.

"I'm really tired. I want to sleep." I stood up. "I'll sleep in the guest room tonight."

Ethan grabbed my wrist.

"Lily!"

Unusually, he took the initiative to explain. "Claire and I aren't what you think."

"I picked her up this time because she just got back and isn't familiar with the area. I was just helping out."

I made a sound of acknowledgment. "As you should."

Ethan studied my face, as if trying to find some trace of insincerity.

"Lily, she and I ended a long time ago. We're just ordinary friends now."

I nodded disinterestedly. "Got it."

Ethan pulled me into his arms, for once taking the initiative to kiss me.

His burning body heat transmitted through our clothes---a warmth I'd once craved most.

He knew I liked physical intimacy and thought one kiss could placate me.

But I turned my head away.

Ethan was clearly stunned.

He completely hadn't expected me to refuse.

His expression darkened.

"Lily, my patience has limits too. You'd better not push it too far."

That night we slept in separate rooms. Ethan left me the master bedroom and took the guest room himself.

When I woke the next morning, the house was quiet---he'd already left.

My expression remained neutral as I went to the company and submitted my resignation.

If I was going to leave, I'd do it completely.

I'd only stayed at this company because of Ethan anyway, to work alongside him, to have more time together.

But at work, he'd hidden our marriage, saying it wouldn't look good.

Not only that, he deliberately kept his distance from me.

When subordinates needed to accompany him on business trips, he never chose me.

In meetings, he treated me like I was invisible.

Even when I completed a major project independently, I never earned his praise.

This cold attitude made colleagues think Ethan must have something against me.

Or that I'd offended him privately.

HR was one of the few people at the company who knew about my relationship with Ethan.

"You're leaving?"

"Ethan only said to demote you, he didn't say anything about resignation..."

I froze.

"Demotion?"

HR nodded, looking at me with sympathy.

"Your position was taken by someone parachuted in from abroad. Ethan specifically arranged it."

I felt a chill spreading through my heart.

I heard my own trembling voice:

"Her name---is it Claire Bennett?"

"Yes, that's the name."

I could barely stand and steadied myself against the desk.

Even though I was leaving anyway, hearing this news still felt like an earth-shattering defeat.

At the company, Ethan had never given me any special treatment.

I'd climbed to the director position through my own abilities, step by step.

And he just handed it to her.