Chapter 5

My eyes immediately reddened. More than anger, what I felt was heartbreak.

I used to cry and make a fuss too. Like Harper, I'd deliberately show my displeasure and act out, hoping he'd comfort me.

But how did he treat me?

He found me annoying and dramatic. He said I was too emotional to solve problems properly.

So to avoid escalating conflicts, I could only choose to shut up.

He was the one who turned me into this, yet now he was using another woman to reminisce about how I used to be.

How could such a shameless person exist in this world?

"Get out! Ethan, get out!"

"Since you think Harper is so great, go find her! I feel sick just looking at you now!"

Ethan's expression instantly turned ugly. He clenched his fists, turned around, and left without looking back.

The room fell silent. Looking at the mess all over the floor, I suddenly felt drained of all strength.

The tears I'd been holding back finally broke through, dropping onto the floor one by one.

I don't know how long passed before my phone suddenly dinged. Ethan had sent me a video.

In the video, the same man who'd just been furious at me for using the wrong plate was now looking adoringly at Harper as they shared an ice cream cone.

My hands trembled. I realized this video couldn't possibly have been sent by Ethan---Harper must have taken his phone again.

A bitter smile crossed my lips. Perhaps because I was too disappointed to have any expectations left, my heart felt as still as dead water.

I closed my phone, took out my suitcase, and started packing my things.

I couldn't continue with Ethan anymore.

Halfway through packing, Ethan suddenly called, his voice full of urgency.

"Nina, I remember your parents are both massage therapists. You must know a bit too, right?"

"Harper accidentally hurt her back. She can't stand the smell of disinfectant at the hospital. Can you come help her?"

I almost laughed in anger. These two really had thick skin.

"I don't know massage, and even if I did, why should I help her?"

"Figure it out yourselves!"

I hung up directly.

Before long, the phone rang again. This time it was my mom calling.

"Nina, your dad and I are already in the car heading over. We'll get there as soon as we can."

I was confused for a moment, not immediately understanding what my mom meant.

"Ethan told us that a friend of yours accidentally injured her back and needs massage therapy, so he asked us to come over as soon as possible."

"What's wrong? Didn't you know?"

Ethan's shamelessness exceeded my imagination. For Harper's sake, he actually used my name to summon my parents!

But my parents weren't even in the same city as us. It would take them at least three hours to drive over!

What's more, my dad had a heart condition. He'd just had bypass surgery recently, and the doctor had told him to rest well. He'd even taken a month off work!

Ethan knew all of this. He just didn't care!

I wanted to tell my parents not to come, even wanted to tell them the whole truth.

But Ethan and I were already at the stage of discussing marriage. I was afraid that revealing everything without warning would be too much for my dad's heart.

In the end, I said nothing, only told them to drive safely.

When my parents arrived, I immediately went with them to the address Ethan had given.

As soon as we entered, Harper was lying on the bed, her face full of irritation as she complained.

"Finally! It's been over three hours. Anyone would think you died on the road!"

My parents' expressions stiffened. Ethan quickly tried to smooth things over:

"She's young and doesn't know better. Please don't take it to heart."

Watching his obvious favoritism, my parents' faces flashed with suspicion.

"Nina, is she your friend or Ethan's friend?"

I clenched my fists and took a deep breath.

"Ethan's friend, but I know her too."

With that explanation, my parents finally relaxed.

After an hour of massage therapy, both my parents looked exhausted.

I'd planned to take them out for a meal and some rest, but they insisted on bringing along Ethan, their "future son-in-law."

Ethan agreed, but Harper immediately said sarcastically:

"Go ahead. Good riddance. Turns out what the guys in our class said was right---some people just aren't worth committing to!"

"He got his fun and now he's abandoning me! And he made me hurt my back!"

Ethan's face went pale with shock. He hadn't expected her to pull this stunt. Looking somewhat panicked, he scolded:

"Harper, what are you talking about?"

Harper pouted, not caring whether he could save face.

"Ethan, you don't really think I'm willing to be your mistress, do you?"

"I already sent your girlfriend that video of us sharing ice cream! I didn't expect her to be so tolerant---she's still pretending not to know!"

My parents finally understood. Their faces immediately turned ashen.

"Ethan, you cheated and you still had the nerve to make us give this homewrecker massage therapy? Do you have no shame?"

My mom's voice rose sharply. My dad was so angry his chest heaved.

Looking at Harper's smug face, I finally snapped. I walked over and slapped her hard across the face.

"Harper!"

Ethan's expression changed drastically. He rushed over to shield Harper, shoving me hard.

Seeing his daughter being mistreated, my dad immediately tried to help, but before he'd taken two steps, he clutched his chest and collapsed.

"Dad! Dad!"