Chapter 4
Ethan didn’t come home that night.
This was the first time he’d stayed out all night. He must really be serious about this girl.
In the past, no matter how late he’d been, he always returned home before dawn.
He knew I sometimes had nightmares and was afraid to sleep alone.
When I finally got up around noon the next day, I noticed a few drops of blood from my nose.
Alarmed, I immediately made an appointment at my private physician’s office.
I was terrified I might end up like those heroines in redemption romance novels–on the verge of
death before the hero finally realizes what he’s lost.
I didn’t want to die, and I certainly didn’t care about Ethan’s regrets.
I intended to live a long, healthy life with more money than I could spend in three lifetimes.
In the hospital’s private waiting room, I was scrolling through TikTok when that girl Madison appeared out of nowhere.
“What a coincidence,” she said with a fake smile.
Without any self–consciousness, she removed her Burberry trench coat, deliberately exposing the hickeys on her neck–bright and impossible to miss.
I had no interest in engaging with her.
But she sat directly across from me and thrust a medical report in my face.
“I’m pregnant,” she announced, chin raised in triumph.
“What? Is it mine?” I asked, feigning shock.
She looked at me like I was crazy. “What the hell is wrong with you? Of course it’s Ethan’s.”
“Oh.” I relaxed back into my chair. “Then talk to him about it.”
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I’d thought Ethan’s comment about planning for children had been just to appease his parents. Apparently, someone really was carrying his child.
Madison scoffed. “Ethan didn’t come home last night, did he? He was with me. I just mentioned wanting shrimp he peeled himself, and he dropped everything–including you–to come to me. Do you know what we did from dusk till dawn? We made love over and over. He told me he loves me, that before meeting me, he never knew intimacy could be so fulfilling.”
I awkwardly rubbed my nose, embarrassed for her.
This was basically the equivalent of playing porn on loudspeaker in a waiting room.
I couldn’t help but advise her, “Maybe keep your voice down? Is this really something to brag about? Weren’t you just ranting about homewreckers? Now you’re proudly being the other woman? And you actually believe what men say in bed? You’re not his first, and you certainly won’t be his last.”
She dismissed my words with a wave. “Olivia, we’re both educated women. Please respect Ethan’s feelings. He doesn’t love you anymore. You’ve aged out of your prime, and you’re not good enough for him anymore. What Ethan and I have is real love.”
I laughed. “What kind of education teaches people to be shameless? Listen, sweetheart, respect is earned. Men who treat women like pets don’t feel love–they feel ownership. If he truly loved you, why hasn’t he divorced me to marry you? Don’t be so naïve.”
My words seemed to infuriate her, and she raised her voice significantly.
“Olivia, don’t pretend I don’t know the truth. You’re only holding onto Ethan because of his guilt. There’s no love between you two. Ethan has to force himself to touch you–he finds you disgusting. He thinks you’re damaged goods.”
“Did Ethan tell you all this?” My heart plummeted, my body beginning to tremble involuntarily.
Memories I’d fought to forget suddenly flooded back.
Every cell in my body felt like it was boiling.
She saw my reaction and looked pleased. “Of course he did. Ethan even showed me ‘the video‘. Sometimes when we’re in bed, we play your video in the background. He says whenever he sees you in your nightgown, he feels sick to his stomach. He only pretends to-”
SLAP!
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Before she could finish, my palm connected with her cheek.
She clutched her face and shrieked, “You hit me? I’ll tell Ethan and he’ll-”
My head felt like it was swarming with fire ants. Madison’s mouth moved, but I couldn’t hear what she was saying.
“DIE. JUST DIE!” I finally snapped, my hands finding her throat.
She wasn’t prepared for my attack and her face quickly turned red as she struggled for air.
Her hands flailed wildly.
I watched as her breathing became more labored, and only when she began to weaken did the rage inside me finally subside…
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