Chapter 3

My train of thought was interrupted by the sudden ring of my phone—it was Ethan calling. "Ms. Monroe, please bring in some high tea."

I carried the tray and pushed open the office door. Ethan, who had been working earlier, was now sitting on the sofa, with Lily leaning against his shoulder, looking at her phone. His gaze was fixed solely on Lily, full of deep, lingering affection.

They looked like a perfect match. I, on the other hand, felt like the unwelcome third party.

Seeing me enter, Lily immediately sat up. She smiled, "Thank you. So, you're Ethan's secretary. It must be tiring to look after him, right?"

She had fully adopted the air of the lady of the house.

I glanced at Ethan. A fleeting look of discomfort crossed his face, but he said nothing.

I understood in a heartbeat. I offered my most professional, formulaic smile. "I am Mr. Sinclair's secretary. These are my duties. I won't disturb you."

Ethan breathed a sigh of relief, clearly satisfied with my composure. He nodded curtly. "Carry on with your work."

*****

After work, I received a message from Ethan asking me to meet him for dinner at a restaurant near the office.

He was already there when I arrived. "Claire, the Bennetts and the Sinclairs go way back. Lily's basically like a little sister to me, so don't read too much into it."

He started explaining as soon as I sat down. The way he tried to cover his tracks was absurd, but I didn't let it show. "I understand. You don't need to explain."

Then, I took a gift box from my bag and smiled faintly, "I forgot to give you this—the gift I got for our anniversary."

He took it and was just about to open it, but I stopped him. "Don't open it until a month from now."

Meeting his puzzled gaze, I smiled and explained, "It's a surprise. Just wait and see."

I rarely spoke to him with such a teasing, slightly coy tone, and he clearly enjoyed it. He tucked the gift box into his coat pocket. "Alright, I'll do whatever you say, Claire."

That box contained the divorce papers. After a month, we would go our separate ways, and I would set him free. How was that not a surprise?

He raised his wine glass toward me. "Claire, happy three-year anniversary..."

Before I could even pick up my glass, Ethan's phone vibrated.

He immediately put down his glass and answered the call. "Hello?"

The restaurant was quiet, and the voice on the other end was clearly audible. "Ethan, I lost at Truth or Dare. They want me to call my boyfriend. You need to get over here."

Lily sounded like she'd been drinking.

"Lily? Are you alright?" Ethan panicked. He looked up at me. "Claire, Lily just got back to the country, and she doesn't have many friends. I..."

I remained perfectly composed. "Go ahead. It's no big deal."

He immediately gave me a grateful smile. "I knew you'd understand. I'll make it up to you next time."

Watching him rush off, my heart chilled inch by agonizing inch.

Ethan returned late that night. I hadn't waited up; I had gone to bed early.

After he showered, he slipped under the covers, wrapped his arm around my waist, and kissed my ear. I understood the intent of his warm breath against my skin, but I fought the urge to snap at him and pushed him away. "I'm not feeling well tonight."

Ethan was usually aloof and, apart from that first time, rarely initiated intimacy. I never refused him, so this was a first.

His hand stiffened but didn't retreat; instead, he held me and whispered, "Let's just sleep, then."

I had a sound sleep.