Chapter 2

The moment she'd officially committed to the divorce, the weight on her chest finally vanished. She couldn't help but look back at the last five years since the marriage.

Five years ago, Ethan had been drugged by one of his admirers at a party.

Claire happened to be there too. She'd had a crush on him for years, and she was the first to notice something was off. She immediately stepped in to help, trying to get him to the hospital.

But on the way, he lost control and ended up sleeping with her.

She never planned to use that night to make him take responsibility.

But the very next day, he'd shown up on her doorstep and proposed.

She'd told herself that even if the start was messy, maybe it was destiny. Sure, he was a block of ice, but she had enough love to melt him.

On their wedding night, she looked at him, full of joy and a little shy.

But he said, totally indifferent, "I'm not used to sharing a bed. From now on, you take the master bedroom, and I'll sleep in the guest room."

From that night on, she'd been trapped in a deep freeze. Every time she reached for his hand, he'd dodge. Every time she tried to kiss him, he'd back away.

Her happiness meant nothing to him, and when she broke down, he acted like she didn't exist.

Her love was the only thing keeping her warm, but it wasn't enough to thaw him. So, she finally decided to let go and set herself free.

*****

As soon as Claire got home, she saw a familiar car pull up in front of the house.

The door opened, and Ethan stepped out first.

Ethan got out first, ignored her entirely, and leaned back into the car with a look of pure tenderness. "Take it slow," he murmured, lifting the fragile-looking Emily into his arms.

Emily clung to his neck, looking weak. When she noticed Claire, she turned and looked almost embarrassed. "Oh, Claire. You're here."

She then patted Ethan's shoulder. "Put me down, Ethan. Claire's watching."

But Ethan didn't let go. Instead, he pulled her closer.

Maybe the excitement of her waking up made him nice. He actually turned to explain gently, "She just woke up. She's too weak to walk yet."

Claire remembered the time she got drunk and fell right into his arms.

Ethan pushed her off him like she was nothing, then went straight to wash his hands.

When she looked completely crushed, he didn't try to hold her. He only muttered something about his clean freak.

Now, seeing him holding Emily so close, Claire couldn't help but laugh at herself, 'Clean freak, my ass. He doesn't like me, and that's all.'

Even though Emily told Ethan to put her down, her arms stayed wrapped around his neck, hanging on like she belonged there.

'Does she seriously not see how they're crossing the line?' Claire thought. 'Does she really not get that Ethan totally has a thing for her?'

Claire didn't bother to expose their little flirtatious drama. She walked straight inside. "Suit yourselves."

Ethan noticed how cold Claire was. She wasn't fawning over him or trying to get his attention like usual, and it made him restless.

Emily, still in his arms, gave him a helpless, innocent look. "Ethan, does Claire not want me staying here? She seems upset."

Ethan's face turned cold in an instant. "Don't pay her any mind. She doesn't call the shots in this house."

Then he carried Emily inside and gently set her down on the couch.

Claire was heading upstairs when Ethan suddenly called out to her.

He walked over, took out a piece of paper from his pocket, and handed it to her.

Claire took it, puzzled, and unfolded it. It was a list of dozens of recipes.

Ethan spoke as if it was the most natural thing in the world, "Didn't you get certified as a nutritionist? The doctor said Emily needs a strict diet to recover. You're in charge of her meals for now."

Claire's heart clenched, and she gripped the A4 sheet tightly in her hand.

Ethan had been so buried in work that he ended up with a serious stomach problem.

Back then, she'd been clueless in the kitchen, but for his sake, she forced herself to master dozens of healthy recipes and even got certified as a nutritionist.

Before she could say no, Emily jumped in, sounding flustered. "Ethan, Claire's not a maid. How can you make her serve me like that?"

Ethan replied, his tone dripping with casual disdain, "Honestly, cooking's about the only thing she's actually good for."

His words felt like a knife straight through Claire's heart, leaving her bleeding inside.

She'd never said no to him before. But this time, she handed the paper back to him with steady, calm hands. "Ethan, I refuse."