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Chapter 4
For a week after that, Ethan didn’t come home, because he’d taken Faye to Paris.
My phone received photos from Faye almost daily.
She showed me how they embraced beneath the Eiffel Tower, kissed amidst the bustling crowds on the Champs–Élysées, and how he got down on one knee under the sky full of fireworks…
Too many to count.
On the final night before our five–year term ended, I huddled under my blanket in the empty mansion, going through those photos over and over until they were worn.
Muffled sobs 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.
I didn’t even get the chance to say a proper goodbye.
I took everything 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 designs.
ww
Richard’s studio had collaborated with me several times. Some of their newest season’s
jewelry pieces were even my designs.
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The Internet’s Favorite Couple Was My Marriage’s Worst Nightmare
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Chapter 4
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?”
“Haven’t I 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?
I 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 submission.
“Who gave you permission to talk to me like that? Get back here now, or I’ll cancel your cards! 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 ID and frowned. “Are you sure about this? After the divorce, you’ll have no connection to him.”
“Are you really okay with that?”
“1
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 Faye arrived.
Another photo showed Ethan on one knee, holding a diamond ring, smiling up as he placed
it on Faye’s finger.
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The Internet’s Favorite Couple Was My Marriage’s Worst Nightmare
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Chapter 4
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, forcing a smile.
It was all happening as I’d expected.
From 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, Ethan called several more times, but I didn’t answer.
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.
Faye 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.”
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Chapter
The messages kept coming, and I couldn’t bear to read more.
I blocked her number.
After that, I finally replied to Richard’s email, confirming when I’d start at the studio.
October 23rd.
The day of Ethan and Faye’s wedding.
While he joyfully welcomed his happiness, I would disappear from his life forever.
His new life awaited him, and wasn’t mine waiting for me too?
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