Chapter 3

Natalie's POV

I stood by the street and pulled out my phone to call a car. My fingers were shaking, but I accidentally opened Instagram instead.

Ethan, who almost never posted on Instagram, had posted something two minutes ago.

A photo of him and Vivian kissing, surrounded by their friends, filled my screen. The caption read:

"I always thought I couldn't love someone properly. Being with you taught me I was just saving all that love for you. Hello, girlfriend."

The comments were full of congratulations. Even friends who'd recently praised how well Ethan and I matched had changed their tune.

"A real princess looks best standing next to you. Congrats on finally being with the woman you love."

The emotions I'd held in all night finally broke. I cried uncontrollably, mourning the waste of my genuine feelings.

I thought Ethan's devoted attention to me over our three years together came from love. I never imagined he was deliberately performing for Vivian to see. I was just a tool in their emotional tug-of-war.

Seven whole years of liking him. Even just thinking about him had made my face flush and my heart race. In that moment, all of it turned to ashes.

"Ethan, why are you standing in the doorway like that? Let the guests in!"

Mrs. Pierce's voice pulled me back to the present.

I looked away and greeted her politely, then walked past Ethan into the house.

Over the years, I'd heard many stories about Mr. Pierce Senior from Grandpa, but I never imagined he was Ethan's grandfather. And Mr. Pierce Senior was also the patient I'd secretly taken on.

The atmosphere at dinner was warm. My phone kept buzzing. I glanced down to see a screenful of messages from my daughter. A smile tugged at my lips as I typed a reply.

"Baby, Mommy misses you too. I'll come home as soon as I finish work."

She replied instantly:

"Only miss your daughter? Not me?"

My smile deepened. I typed "miss you too" and put down my phone.

When I looked up, my gaze collided unexpectedly with Ethan's dark eyes.

Just one glance, and I looked away, returning to my meal.

The next second, Mrs. Pierce warmly placed a steamed crab on my plate.

I looked up to speak, but Ethan across from me suddenly said casually:

"She can't eat that."

The atmosphere went quiet for a moment. Everyone looked at him questioningly.

Ethan cleared his throat and explained:

"I've heard many people are allergic to seafood. Just mentioning it."

Mrs. Pierce turned to me.

"Natalie, can you eat it?"

I paused for a second, then shook my head calmly. "Actually, I am allergic."

Ethan's lips curved almost imperceptibly.

Mrs. Pierce kindly replaced it with other food. I thanked her politely, ignoring Ethan's occasional glances.

After dinner, the adults started chatting. Seeing me sitting idly, they asked Ethan, who'd just finished a phone call, to take me to set off fireworks.

I started to decline, but Ethan had already grabbed his jacket and walked over.

"Come along. It'll be fun. I'll drive you back after."

His familiar tone made Mrs. Pierce look over. Not wanting to arouse suspicion, I followed him to the car.

"You can drop me at the nearest subway station."

I said politely.

Ethan acted like he hadn't heard, driving on his own. I repeated myself. This time Ethan finally glanced at me.

"Why so nervous? You don't actually think I want to get back together with you, do you?"