Chapter 2

Maya's POV

My phone suddenly buzzed with a notification from work.

I walked straight past Ethan into my room to grab my laptop, refusing to give him an answer.

After quickly resolving the work issue, I opened my email and dragged a message out of my trash folder. It was a job offer from a top firm in Seattle.

In the past, for the sake of stability and to stay by Ethan's side, I had rejected countless offers from amazing companies.

But now, I decided it was time to leave this city.

Suddenly, Chloe pushed the door open. She grabbed my hand, her voice soft. "Maya, we're still friends, right?"

Her tone was exactly the same as it was ten years ago when she first asked me to be her friend.

That was the day my mother and I first moved into Chloe's family mansion. It was the first time I saw Chloe's bedroom, which was literally larger than my mom's entire apartment.

My self-esteem had shattered into a million pieces at that moment. After that, I tried my best to avoid her and never spoke to her.

But one rainy night, my mom asked me to wait at the gate with an umbrella to welcome Chloe home. I went out reluctantly.

Chloe had just returned from a high school gala, wearing a designer dress that cost more than my mother's yearly salary. I held the umbrella over her, letting the cold rain soak half of my own shoulder.

Suddenly, Chloe wrapped her arm around my shoulder. "Maya, can I call you that? I hear your mom call you that all the time. I heard you're a genius at school. Can we do our homework together? I really want to be your friend."

Her eyes had been so bright and genuine. I had nodded.

But just five minutes ago, that ten-year friendship had completely shattered.

Seeing my silence, Chloe began to cry.

"Maya, I'm so sorry. I never planned to steal Ethan from you. But when our parents forced us to go on dates six months ago, I suddenly developed feelings for him. You know how love is... it's just so unpredictable."

"Chloe, we can't be friends anymore."

Suddenly, the bedroom door was pushed open. Ethan stood there, looking panicked. "Quick, hide! Our parents are here!"

He was speaking to me.

Our relationship had always been a secret. Whenever Ethan's wealthy parents visited, I had to hide. I was already used to it.

Ethan looked at me apologetically. "Both of our parents are pushing us to move in together to fast-track the engagement. I told them Chloe was moving in tonight, and they wanted to drop by and see the place."

Without a word, I headed toward the door to leave.

But a sudden knock at the front door stopped me in my tracks.

Ethan quickly grabbed my arm and dragged me back into the bedroom, shutting the door. In the rush, my leg slammed hard against the sharp corner of the bed frame, slicing a deep gash into my calf.

I struggled to stand up. The wound throbbed with pain. I looked around for some disinfectant or a bandage, but there was nothing in the room. I could only sit there and watch the blood flow down my leg.

As the physical pain peaked, the sound of laughter from the living room felt like a slap in the face.

"I've wanted to bring these two together for ages! Our families are a perfect match!"

"We should definitely move up the wedding date. I can't wait to hold my grandbabies!"

Sitting behind the closed door, I let out a mocking laugh at myself. I felt like a clown, hiding in the dark, watching other people celebrate their perfect life.

The pain from my leg spread throughout my entire body, but the place that hurt the most was my heart.

Living around them for so long, I had almost forgotten the gap between us. But now, the pride that had been crushed ten years ago was being ground into dust once again.

We were never from the same world.

Once the voices outside finally faded, I slowly stood up. Looking at the dried blood on my leg, I pushed the door open to find some medicine.

But the moment the door swung open, the scene in the living room froze me in my tracks.

Chloe was completely naked, and Ethan was holding her legs, pressing her against the couch.

Their clothes were scattered all over the hardwood floor, and on the coffee table sat a violently ripped-open box of condoms...

They gasped in shock, turning their heads to look at me.

"Oh... I'm so sorry, Maya. I forgot you were still in the bedroom," Chloe squeaked, barely trying to cover herself.

My chest felt incredibly tight, as if a thick rope was wrapping around my heart and squeezing the life out of me.

I dragged my injured leg and walked straight toward the front door.

The moment I pushed the door open, tears finally streamed down my face.

I had tried to rationalize their betrayal. I had told myself to just let go of this relationship and move on. But seeing them intimately wrapped around each other with my own eyes still ripped my heart to shreds.

Ethan rushed out after me, grabbing my arm in the hallway.

"Maya, it was just a heat-of-the-moment thing. We couldn't control ourselves. I promise it won't happen again!"

I slid the diamond ring off my ring finger and dropped it into his palm. "We're done."

He violently pulled me into his arms, wrapping his hands tight around my back. I felt nothing but intense disgust.

"Maya, I can't lose you! I just happen to love two people at the same time. What did I do that was so wrong?"

I shoved him away with all my strength. "There's an emergency at the office. I have to go."

Ethan tried to say something else, but his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and let go of me. "Fine, if you have work, go. But I don't accept this breakup."

Watching his retreating figure, I couldn't help but recall an incident from two years ago. I had found out that a gorgeous, incredibly wealthy socialite had confessed her feelings to Ethan.

That night, I had lied about working overtime and went to the park by the lake to cry my eyes out. Ethan had actually walked along my usual commute route for hours until he found me.

"Maya, in my eyes, there is no one in this world better than you. You are the only one for me."

Now, even the flimsiest excuse was enough for him to let go of my hand.

Everything between us had changed.

I stayed at a hotel near my office that night. The next morning, I received a text from Ethan.

"Chloe and I are getting married. Will you be her maid of honor?"