Chapter 4
For a week after that, Ethan didn’t come home, because he’d taken Taye to Paris]
My phone received photos from Faye almost daily]
down on one knee
She showed me how they embraced beneath the Eiffel Tower, kissed amidst the bustling crowds on the Champs–Élysées, and how he got dow under the sky full of fireworks..]
y to count.
Too many to
On the final night before our five year term ended. 1 buddled under my blanket in the empty mansion, going through these photos over and over until they
Muffled sohs escaped through my fingers.]
That night. I finally extracted the light I’d kept in my heart for five years the light that had warmed me.]
By the day our divorce agreement took effect, Ethan still hadn’t returned.
didn’t even get the chance to say a proper goodbye.
I took wverything that belonged to me from the mansion, placed the divorce agreement neatly on the living room coffee table, took one last look at the place that had imprisoned me for five years, and left without looking back.
From now on, I would be an independent person, who would be unconstrained by anyone or anything.]
I received a call from Ethan two weeks later. By then, I’d just received an invitation from renowned designer Richard
During these five years when Ethan wouldn’t let me leave the house, I’d been drawing jewelry designa
Rachards studio had collaborated with me several times. Some of their newest season’s jewelry pieces were even my designs.
For years, they’d invited me to join their studio, but because of my contract with Ethan, I’d always declined
This time, when they asked again, I accepted
On the phone, Ethan’s voice was cold.
“Where are you?”
Have 1 told you I don’t want my wife parading around in public? Get back here now, Faye’s moving into the mansion, and you need to take care of her. Take care of her?]}
1 repeated my earlier question: “Does Faye not have hands or feet? Why does she need me to care for her? Doesn’t the great Mr. Stone have enough money to hire a proper housekeeper?
My words angered Ethan, who was used to my subanistion
“Who gave
ho gave you permission to talk to me like that? Get back here now, or 111 cancel your cardal Without me, let’s see how long you survive in San Francisco||||
He angrily hung up
I found it amusing and tossed my phone aside ||
My brother. Alex, glanced at the caller it and frowned. “Are you sure about this? After the divorce, you’ll have no connection to him []
“Are you really okay with that?:||
During my years isolated from society, Alex was the only person I could confide in
He was the only one who knew about my hidden love
At that moment, a text from Taye arrived. ||
Another photo showed Ethan on one knee, holding a diamond rug, smiling up as he placed it on Fayer’s finger
The sight stabbed at my eyes ||
My heart, which had gone numb, suddenly felt like it was being pierced by a thousand needles. Even breathing became difficult,
What I’d carefully waited for five years, what I hadn’t even dared to dream of, she obtained effortlessly with a gesture[]
Yeah, I’m fine with it,” I said.]
I turned off my phone, fording a smile
It was all happening as I’d expected
Trom the beginning, I knew these five years were just a transaction–time exchanged for money.
Now, the contract had expired. It was time for me to move on!
The next day. Ithan called several more times, but I didact answer.
er com
Finally, he sent an angry message: “If you don’t come back now, don’t ever come back!”
I was about to remind him about the divorce agreement I’d left in the living room when Faye sent more photos.
Fave in a
in a pure white wedding dress, smiling in Ethan’s arms |
Were these their wedding photos?
Then Faye’s messages started coming in.
“We’re already planning our wedding When are you going to get out of Ethan’s house, you impostor?
If you behave and make me happy. I might even let you attend our wedding
Jealous? He never thought about preparing a wedding for you, but when I casually mentioned wanting to get married, he immediately started planning.”
The messages kept coming, and couldn’t bear to read more
1 blocked her number.]
After that, I finally replied to fuchard’s email, confirming when I’d start at the studio.
Gabber 23
2d
The day of Ethan and Faye’s wedding
White he joyfully welcomed his happiness, I would disappear from his life forever!
His new life awaited him, and wasn’t inde waltung for ine to?
