Chapter 1
After three years, the lioness had reclaimed her territory.
And for the other contender, it was either death or exile.
Because none of this ever truly belonged to me.
When I got home, memories invaded me like poison.
Our matching slippers were neatly arranged, but Ethan’s pair looked brand new.
Our couple’s mugs were brightly colored, but Ethan’s was already dusty.
Our matching pajamas swayed in the breeze, but Ethan’s had never been worn.
Ethan and my life was hollow, like two lines that intersected only to immediately run parallel again.
We looked united, but our souls had long drifted apart.
He never liked anything I prepared for him, yet for Chloe, he tacitly allowed it.
Ethan Carter had never betrayed Chloe Davies; I was just an accidental detour.
A phone call pulled me back to reality.
The wedding photographer politely inquired.
“Ms. Miller, I heard you canceled the wedding dress fitting. What about tomorrow’s photo shoot?”
I looked at the repeating images on my phone, my voice devoid of any lingering emotion.
‘Cancel everything.”
I was about to throw away all our paired items when Ethan’s key in the lock made me freeze.
Ethan’s tense shoulders relaxed when he saw me.
He took my hand, his smile incredibly gentle.
“Thank you, Moon, for being so understanding.”
“I really liked the wine tonight, and Chloe did too.”
Seeing my silence, he patiently explained.
“Chloe Davies, you know, we grew up together. We’re like siblings. You’re not jealous, are you?”
‘My Moon is so sweet, she would never be jealous.”
No sooner had he spoken than he leaned down and kissed my forehead.
Ethan was always different when he was drunk.
He was like a loyal dog.
“Ethan Carter, say you love me.”
“Moon, I love you.”
“Ethan Carter, say you miss me.”
Moon, I miss you.”
“Ethan Carter, call me your wife.”
“Moon, wife.”
All the words he couldn’t utter when sober, he spoke without hesitation when drunk.
I used to secretly delight in this for a long time.
His tenderness, his thoughtfulness, his deep affection – I only truly had them under the influence of alcohol.
20.27
Chunter
Each time, I used repetitive questions to test my importance in his heart.
Thankfully, I always got the answers I wanted.
I filled my anxieties with this illusionary love.
But now, I was tired of it. The dream needed to end.
I clenched my hands, my voice firm as I spoke.
“Ethan Carter, do you love Chloe Davies?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Ethan blurted out.
“Yes, Chloe, I love you.”
I staggered backward, step by step.
This was the secret he had hidden for three years.
Ethan Carter, do you want to marry Chloe Davies?”
At this, the man’s eyes reddened, his lips trembling with an unspoken grievance.
He stepped forward, pulled me into a tight embrace, and buried his face in my shoulder, pleading.
“Yes… more than anything. I’ve dreamed of it.”
“Chloe, will you marry me?”
Fueled by alcohol, Ethan had mistaken me for Chloe Davies.
The high–and–mighty Attorney Carter, now begging so humbly.
His indifference felt like a thousand knives, each one piercing my heart.
I trembled with pain, with crushing disappointment.
Yes, from the very beginning, had he ever truly loved me?
I was just a shadow, and now his light had returned.
The shadow should fade away.
i didn’t humiliate myself further or respond. In the vast room, only the ticking of the clock could be heard.
I stood rooted to the spot, letting him lean heavily on me, letting his warmth spread over me.
I had always craved his warmth.
On cold winter nights, I would instinctively lean into him.
In biting winds, I would tightly hold his hands and refuse to let go.
But now, with a gentle breeze, a chill ran through me.
I stood motionless until my feet grew numb, until his strength completely gave out.
I forcefully pushed Ethan away, and he collapsed onto the sofa, falling into a deep sleep.
That night, for the first time, we slept in separate beds.
His snores echoed, while my tears flowed silently.
The next morning, Ethan Carter’s phone woke me up.
“Attorney Carter, you and Chloe really moved fast! The wedding planner has been waiting forever, and Chloe’s here too. Hurry up!”
“Attorney Carter, what about your wedding with Ms. Miller? Should I notify them to cancel?”
The wedding planner was someone Ethan had contacted himself previously.
