Chapter 2

Ethan was quiet for a long time before answering. *"Cassie, just wait until I get back. You'll understand then. Let me explain."*

What was left to understand?

They'd already been in the same bed. What explanation could possibly change that?

I stopped responding to him and messaged my real estate agent instead:

*"Please arrange showings. I don't want the apartment anymore."*

After I finished with the agent, I noticed Vivi had updated her Instagram.

This time it was a photo of the two of them—hands intertwined.

Just the image. No caption.

I noticed Ethan's ring had been swapped out for a different style, and there was a new ring on Vivi's hand too.

A matching pair.

In the comments, a mutual friend asked:

*"Wait, when did you two get MARRIED?!"*

Vivi answered quickly:

*"Ha, not married! It's a proposal! It was his birthday, and he proposed to me~"*

I stared at the post for a long time.

I didn't confront Ethan again. Didn't message Vivi.

I just quietly tapped like.

Five minutes later, Ethan sent me another message:

*"She wanted to know what it felt like to be proposed to. It wasn't a real proposal."*

*"Don't take it to heart."*

I stared at those two lines. Then typed a single *"Okay"* and left it at that.

I switched off my phone and dragged myself to the fridge for some water.

When the door swung shut, I saw the magnet Ethan had made.

*Remember to take your meds. —E.*

I'd had chronic migraines for years. When they hit, the pain was unbearable, and I always forgot my medication. So Ethan had custom-ordered that magnet and stuck it on the fridge, so I'd see it every time I reached for water.

I looked at it for a moment.

Then peeled it off and dropped it into the trash without hesitation.

……

Ethan came back with Vivi.

"Cassie!" She ran up and threw her arms around me, beaming. "Ethan happened to be flying home today too, so I came back with him."

I gave a flat "Mm."

My eyes went to Vivi's hand.

The ring was still there. Then I looked at Ethan. The ring on his hand—the one that had matched Vivi's—had already been switched back to my engagement ring.

Vivi's brow furrowed slightly. "Cassie, are you not feeling well?"

She was looking at me with a completely normal expression. Not a trace of guilt on her face.

As though she and Ethan had never happened.

If not for the ring still on her finger.

I took a step back. "I'm fine."

Vivi's expression stiffened for a moment before smoothing over again.

Ethan spoke suddenly. "Vivi's just worried about you."

I laughed under my breath.

Worried?

How could he even say that with a straight face?

"Really?" My voice was quiet, but the sarcasm cut through. "If she's so worried, then why did she—"

"Cassie!"

Ethan cut me off. The words *become the other woman* lodged in my throat, unable to go either up or down.

I met his warning glare, feeling completely hollow inside.

He was that afraid I might even *mention* it.

He turned to Vivi.

His voice softened. "It's late. Just stay here tonight."

Vivi glanced at me hesitantly.

"Is it a bad time?" She shook her head. "Never mind, I'll head home."

Ethan frowned. "It's not safe to go back this late. Just go tomorrow."

Vivi stayed.

No one asked me. Ethan made the decision.

I didn't say a word. I got up and went to my room.

Ten minutes later, Ethan opened the door and came in.

Neither of us spoke first.

He poured himself a whiskey, downed it in one swallow, and finally said, hoarsely:

"Don't worry. It's not what you think. You're still the only one in my heart."

"Vivi's never expected anything real from me."

"Cassie, she's hurting too. She didn't want any of this either."

I looked at Ethan. Said nothing. I didn't know what to say.

My own sister, the one I'd grown up with, had slept with him.

And he was standing there telling me *she* was hurting.

The truly laughable part—he was still insisting *I* was the only one in his heart.

"Cassie," Ethan went on, "just give us a little more time. I'll sort things out with her soon, and then we can get married."

I asked, flatly, "When did it start?"

His expression shifted. He answered honestly. "Seven months ago."

That would have been the fifth month after Ethan left for London.

Around then, Vivi had been flying out two or three times a month, always coming back looking wrecked—then locking herself in her room for an entire day.

Ethan closed his eyes, then opened them and looked straight at me.

"At first, I said no. But then…"

He trailed off, unwilling to continue. He only said, "Cassie, just wait one more month."

"At least, give her some time. Please?"

I looked at him, and for the first time, I felt like I was staring at a stranger. A stranger so foreign I wasn't sure I'd ever known him at all.

"No." My voice came out barely above a whisper. "Ethan, if she's suffering that much, then be with her."

I slipped the ring off my finger and set it on the table.

"Let's break up."