Chapter 2

My voice was hoarse.

"I'm fine. Keep the deposit."

With that, I walked straight toward Ethan.

He took a step back, eyes darting away.

A bitter smirk tugged at my lips.

I brushed past him and walked right out the door.

That night, he came home with a bouquet of red roses.

A rare sight.

He forced an apologetic smile.

"Ella... thank you for keeping your cool today.

You know how fragile Chloe is.

If you’d made a scene, she would’ve shattered."

He paused, then threw me a bone:

"Haven't you always wanted to go to Santorini?

Once things settle down at work, I’ll take you there."

A tear slipped down my cheek.

This was supposed to be my dream:

the flowers, the trip, the man I loved.

Turns out, it was that easy.

Any other day, I would have cried and thrown myself into his arms.

I didn't answer.

I just asked him coldly, "Why her?"

Chloe. My stepsister.

Together, she and her mother drove my mom to her grave.

She was the person I hated most in this world.

And Ethan knew that better than anyone.

He could have cheated on me with anyone.

But he chose her.

It was the ultimate stab in the back.

Tears spilled over. My voice broke.

"You know I'd rather see her dead.

What did I ever do to you, Ethan? Why does it have to be her?"