Chapter 3

Through the glass door, Ethan and I locked eyes.

The smile on his face froze abruptly, and his complexion visibly paled.

Before Harper could react, he strode away, walking toward me.

"Nina, when did you get here?"

I smiled, lying casually:

"Just now."

Ethan visibly relaxed.

Behind him, Harper walked over step by step.

"Ethan, so this is your girlfriend?"

"She's not bad looking, but she seems pretty old."

Ethan frowned, reprimanding her:

"Don't talk nonsense!"

Harper's expression immediately darkened, and she turned and left.

Watching her retreating figure, regret flashed in Ethan's eyes.

The next moment, he handed me off to two male colleagues who were watching the drama unfold.

"Nina, let them keep you company for a bit. I need to use the restroom."

With that, he took off in the direction Harper had gone.

Half an hour later, Ethan finally returned.

Harper followed behind him. Her dress was wrinkled and her makeup smudged.

My heart sank, the nausea intensifying.

"Sorry about that, Nina. I was in a bad mood earlier and neglected you."

"Since you're here, let's play some games together."

Harper looked at me with a smile, her eyes full of provocation.

Before I could refuse, Ethan had already spoken for me:

"She can't hold her liquor. Don't go too hard on her."

More than just "can't hold her liquor"---I'm allergic to alcohol.

Ethan knew this full well, but he'd just finished placating Harper and didn't want to upset her over something so trivial.

My heart felt like it was being crushed by a rock. I could barely breathe.

I knew nothing about drinking games to begin with, and with Harper leading the charge against me, I quickly lost.

She poured a full glass and handed it to me.

"Nina, everyone else who loses has to drink three glasses, but since it's your first time playing, one glass is fine."

Watching her act so magnanimous, an indescribable anger rose in my chest.

"I'm allergic to alcohol. I can't drink."

Harper acted surprised:

"Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"How about we let Ethan drink it for you? You two are a couple---he shouldn't mind, right?"

She flashed a malicious smile and handed the glass to Ethan.

Ethan pressed his lips together and didn't take it.

He looked at me, his tone apologetic but also slightly reproachful.

"Nina, I have germophobia. I can't use the same glass as someone else. You know that."

"It's just one drink. Have it yourself. Don't make things difficult for me."

The string that had been stretched taut in my heart suddenly snapped.

I looked at Ethan, my nose stinging uncontrollably.

Then, gritting my teeth, I took the glass and drained it in one gulp.

The alcohol made my eyes water, and my stomach burned painfully.

Ethan instinctively moved to support me, but I shook him off.

"You all keep playing. I'm heading home."