Chapter 3
Ethan didn't show up for the next two days.
Sophia spent those days in silence, trying to mend her broken heart.
One day, a nurse walked into her room, looking a bit apologetic. "Ms. Lloyd, your discharge papers are ready. Mr. Grant took care of everything."
Sophia tugged at her dry, cracked lips, her voice cold. "He sure is in a hurry, isn't he?"
All of this was just another sign that he didn't love her.
If she'd been even a little more clear-headed before, she would've seen it all.
But she hadn't.
Now, looking back, it was bitterly ironic.
Sophia packed up her things, her body still frail as she made her way out of the hospital. From way down the street, she could already see a Bentley parked by the curb.
A middle-aged man in a suit stood by the car, waiting with a warm smile.
"Mrs. Grant," the driver said.
He took her belongings from her hands with utmost respect. "Mr. Grant asked me to come get you."
Sophia said nothing and slipped into the car.
Her stomach still throbbed, and she leaned weakly against the seat, her face so pale it looked almost lifeless.
She dozed off for a bit, and when she opened her eyes again, the car was driving along the river.
"Wilbert, where are we headed?" Sophia asked.
"Mrs. Grant, Mr. Grant arranged for you to go to the beach. They're having a barbecue party," he replied politely.
Sophia frowned, "But I'm really not feeling well."
"Mrs. Grant, Mr. Grant insisted," Wilbert said.
He looked genuinely troubled.
Sophia gave a bitter smile and didn't argue anymore.
Well, once she finished the tasks Ethan gave her, she'd be that much closer to finally going home.
She couldn't stand being in this place for even one more day.
About ten minutes later, the car pulled up at the beach.
From a distance, Sophia could see a crowd gathered by the shore, the smoke from the barbecue drifting up into the air, the whole place buzzing with energy.
As soon as she stepped out of the car, Sophia spotted a familiar figure.
It was Chloe.
Chloe was dressed in a pale blue dress, her hair down, the sea breeze playing with her long hair and the hem of her dress, making her look gentle and sweet.
She was sitting with Ethan's friends, all of them laughing and chatting away.
But whenever they looked at Sophia, there was always a hint of contempt in their eyes.
Chloe was the one Ethan cherished most, so naturally, his friends would treat her with respect.
It was obvious to anyone with eyes that Ethan had feelings for Chloe.
But back then, Sophia had believed Ethan when he called Chloe his childhood friend, never once suspecting there was anything more between them.
Just then, Ethan and Chloe turned to look at her, almost as if on cue.
It was like they shared an effortless, unspoken bond.
Sophia's chest felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, leaving her struggling to catch her breath.
"Sophia, you made it," Chloe called out.
She walked over with a smile, every step as graceful as if she were gliding to a rhythm only she could hear.
"It's been ages," Chloe said, her tone friendly.
Ethan came over, too, deliberately keeping Sophia and Chloe apart.
It was like he was worried Sophia might do something to Chloe.
"Come on, let's go sit down," Ethan said.
Sophia nodded, a chill settling deep in her heart as she quietly followed behind them.
The smell of smoke made Sophia cough before she could stop herself.
The moment she coughed, a sharp pain shot through her abdomen.
She was too caught up in her own pain to care what Ethan and Chloe were up to.
One of Ethan's friends called out, waving a bottle. "Sophia, do you want it chilled or just regular?"
Sophia looked up. "I don't drink."
Ethan's friend grinned, "Come on, don't be a buzzkill."
Ethan's deep, smooth voice interrupted. "Just have a little."
Sophia tugged at her dry lips, about to say something, when Chloe suddenly cut between her and Ethan, blocking the space between them.
"Sophia, can you help us with the barbecue? I heard you practiced so much for Ethan before. Any chance we get to taste your cooking today?" Chloe asked, her voice all sugary and sweet.
Her voice was so sweet, it sounded totally harmless.
Funny how that same sweet face was the one that made her out to be the villain back then.
Sophia knew Chloe hadn't forgotten a thing.
"I'm not feeling well. You guys go ahead," she replied, not bothering to hide her indifference.
Chloe's face fell in disappointment. "Oh, that's such a shame. I was really hoping to try your cooking today."
Ethan frowned, "Sophia, since everyone wants a taste, why don't you do it? It won't take long, and we can head back early."
Sophia felt a sharp pang in her numb heart.
She gave a bitter smile and asked quietly, "Ethan, do you really think this is just about time?"
Ethan was caught off guard by her cold tone, and annoyance crept into his voice.
"You're almost better now, aren't you? It'll only take five minutes," he said.
Before Sophia could get a word in, Chloe chimed in sweetly, her voice soft as ever.
"Let it go, Ethan. If Sophia doesn't feel up to it, we don't have to force her," Chloe said, all gentle and considerate.
Ethan retorted, "We're all out here to have a good time, and she's the only one killing the vibe."
Sophia's fingers trembled.
He actually said she was a killjoy, even though she had just had a miscarriage yesterday.
And now, just because she didn't want to grill for his darling Chloe, she was suddenly the one being the buzzkill.
Of course, when it came to Ethan, Chloe's feelings always came first.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have made her pay over ninety times for things she never even did.
Sophia let out a soft, bitter laugh. "Are you really sure you want me to do it?"