Chapter 2

The moment I got back to the apartment we shared, I started packing my things.

For two whole days, Ethan didn't call or text me once.

I forced myself not to be pathetic and started planning my new life.

I messaged the HR department of a company I'd previously turned down, asking if the Director's Assistant position they'd offered me was still available.

They replied quickly, saying the position was still open and asking when I could start.

I told them next Monday.

Just when I thought this chapter of my life was closing and I was ready to start fresh, the doorbell rang.

I opened the door. Ethan stood there holding a huge bouquet of blue roses, though his expression showed little remorse.

"Surprise!" He forced out a stiff smile and thrust the flowers forward like he was checking off a task.

"Babe, I'm here to apologize. Forgive me, okay?" Even as he spoke, his eyes drifted over my shoulder into the apartment, as if checking for something.

Before I could respond, Leah suddenly appeared from behind him.

She shoved an elegant gift box into my arms with a bright smile. "Claire, don't be mad. Getting angry all the time is bad for your skin."

With that, she breezed past me like she owned the place, slipping on house slippers and walking right in.

Those were the fuzzy slippers Ethan had bought me—my favorite pair.

Ethan immediately followed her in, not even glancing at me. All his attention was on Leah. "Careful. Don't trip."

He pulled me onto the couch. "Baby, look—Leah even came all this way to apologize to you."

He opened the gift box. Inside was a necklace with a huge diamond that was almost blinding.

"Remember that 'Heart of the Ocean' you glanced at during the auction? I bought it for you. Do you like it?"

My heart skipped a beat. Before I could process it, he moved behind me and personally fastened the cold necklace around my neck.

"It's beautiful," he murmured, his breath tickling my ear. "It suits you."

Leah, who'd been standing silently to the side, suddenly spoke up. Her tone carried just the right hint of envy. "You're so lucky, Claire. Ethan treats you so well. I'm honestly jealous."

She stepped closer, staring directly at the necklace around my neck. Her lips formed a little pout and her eyes began to redden. "Ethan, I've never gotten such an expensive gift from you my whole life. At the auction, I told you how much I loved this 'Heart of the Ocean,' and you just pretended not to hear me..."

The warmth on Ethan's face instantly froze, replaced by guilt and indulgence toward his sister.

He coaxed her, "Leah, be good. Next time I'll buy you something nice first."

"I don't want next time. I like this one," Leah started whining, reaching out to tug on my arm. "Claire, you're the sweetest. Can you just let me try on the necklace? Just for a second. Let me see how it looks. Just to satisfy my little wish..."

"I—"

Before I could finish, Ethan was already frowning impatiently. "Just let her try it on. It's just a necklace. Leah likes it so much—why are you being petty with her?"

Without even waiting for my consent, he personally unclasped the necklace he'd just put on me and turned to fasten it around Leah's pale neck.

"Ethan, this necklace looks way better on me. Look how beautiful it is!" Leah's tears vanished instantly as she twirled around, beaming.

Ethan smiled indulgently, his eyes full of doting affection. "Our Leah looks good in anything. You're a natural."

Watching the two of them laughing and playing around in front of me, I felt nothing but nausea.

The necklace that should have been mine had spent less than a minute on my neck before becoming a tool to please another woman.

I forced a bitter smile. "Is this why you came today? Just to disgust me?"

Leah shook her head innocently. "Claire, how can you say that!"

"My brother gave you the 'Heart of the Ocean' just to make you happy. He's never bought me a necklace this expensive!"

"Before he came, he even called to ask me for advice. I was catching up on sleep after jet lag, and he woke me up with that phone call!"

"Honestly, he's so clueless about how to make a girlfriend happy. Claire, you really need to teach him."

Ethan smiled and patted her head. "Come on now. What kind of sister talks about her brother like this in front of other people?"

"I'm not 'other people'! I'm your closest sister!"

In the blink of an eye, they were laughing and playfully shoving each other again.

The "Heart of the Ocean" diamond swung back and forth in front of my eyes, stabbing painfully at my vision.

I reflected on what kind of temporary insanity had made me open the door for them.

Nearby, Leah was being tickled by Ethan, laughing so hard she could barely stand.

"You're so mean! I'm telling Claire all your dirty secrets!"

She squirmed free and nimbly ran over to sit next to me, pulling out her phone and opening her photo album.

I kept my face cold. I wanted to see just how much lower they could sink.