Chapter 3

The next morning, when I walked out of my room, Ethan was already making breakfast.

He acted as if nothing had happened.

"You're up? Let's eat."

I looked at the breakfast on the table and felt exhausted. "I'm allergic to eggs, Ethan."

His hand, which was spreading egg salad on the toast, froze.

Without a word, he threw the toast into the trash can. "I forgot. Go eat out then."

"Okay," I murmured.

As I turned to leave, Ethan's voice cracked behind me. "Don't you think we're being weird?"

"Chloe, we're acting like strangers."

I turned to meet his dazed eyes and let out a mocking laugh.

"No, Ethan. Strangers don't hate each other. We're worse than strangers. But whose fault is that? Mine?"

The air turned icy.

We stared at each other, neither of us willing to back down.

Finally, his phone rang, breaking the tension.

"Yes, Grandpa," Ethan said, his voice flat. "Chloe and I will be there on time."

He hung up, pinching the bridge of his nose in sheer exhaustion. He looked at me with a complicated expression.

"Let's just leave the past in the past."

"Tomorrow is Grandpa's 80th birthday gala. We're going together. Don't let him notice anything."

I let out a silent sigh.

"Fine."

I walked down to a local café, keeping the Snapchat call active.

She had been quiet, so I broke the silence. "What are you thinking about?"

She looked lost.

"I just never imagined that the future Ethan and I would have nothing to say to each other."

"No sharing, no love. Only blame and resentment."

I choked up and couldn't find the words.

The autumn leaves outside were scattered all over the pavement from last night's storm.

They crunched under my feet.

It sounded just like the time Ethan carried me on his back through the woods when my legs were hurt. But everything had changed.

The café owner smiled when he saw me.

"Morning, Chloe! The usual? Beef sandwich, no mayo, no eggs?"

I smiled back. "Yes, please."

Even the café owner remembered my egg allergy. But my husband of ten years had forgotten.

The next day, Ethan picked me up for the gala.

I sat in the passenger seat, staring blankly out the window at the passing city.

Suddenly, Ethan spoke.

"You know Lily saved Grandpa's life once, right?"

I turned to look at him. "What's your point?"

He gripped the steering wheel tighter. "So, Lily is attending the gala today. I didn't invite her. Grandpa did."

I didn't know what face to make. I wasn't even surprised.

Suppressing the suffocating pain in my chest, I replied hoarsely, "Okay. I don't care."

It didn't matter anymore.

There were only three days left. In three days, the younger Chloe would rewrite history.

We wouldn't have a future anyway.

Hearing my response, Ethan actually seemed taken aback.

He frowned, his knuckles turning white on the wheel. "Good," he finally muttered.

In my earpiece, the younger Chloe was crying.

I was used to this coldness, but for her, it was pure torture.

It was like falling straight from heaven to hell.

"How could he treat you like this..."

I couldn't comfort her. I could only remain silent.

Soon, we arrived at the family estate in the Hamptons.

The moment we got out of the car, a petite figure rushed toward us.

"Ethan..."

"I thought I'd never see you again."

Lily was crying, and Ethan immediately comforted her.

Ignoring everyone else, he gently wiped her tears away.

"Don't cry. Since you're back, I won't let anyone send you away again."

I let out a sarcastic chuckle.

"Do whatever you want. I won't stop you. Just don't make me look like the evil villain tearing you star-crossed lovers apart."

Lily pouted, a flash of disdain in her eyes.

Ethan's brows furrowed. He looked confused.

I knew why. He was confused about why I was suddenly being so generous.

I looked away. It was simple—I had just given up.