Chapter 2

The video panned across several locations that held precious memories for Ethan and me.

Finally, the camera stopped at the proposal spot. It was the exact place where Ethan and I first met.

My mind flashed back to three years ago.

We had gone back to visit that place.

"Ethan, when we get married, will you propose to me here?"

"Of course."

"I'll fill this entire place with roses and make you the happiest woman in the world."

The memory overlapped with the video. But the woman in his arms wasn't me.

The video cut to their new house.

There was an entire walk-in closet wall filled with designer bags.

That wall of luxury made my eyes sting.

I looked down at the faded canvas tote bag in my lap.

It was a free gift from a grocery store that Ethan had given me years ago.

Every year on my birthday, he would buy me a cheap purse from a street vendor.

"Baby, you already have so many nice things from work. Let's just go with something cute and practical."

I would always accept them with a bright smile.

I never wanted to hurt his pride.

He used to tell me:

"Baby, when I make it big..."

"I'll buy you a whole wall of Chanel and Birkins."

I waited nine years for that promise.

Now, he had fulfilled it for someone else.

My finger scrolled down automatically. In the next video:

Ethan was wearing a white apron, skillfully flipping food in a pan.

He smiled at the camera, talking to the girl behind it.

"Chloe, I'm going to cook you the best meals every single day."

"I'm going to make sure you're the happiest woman alive."

We had lived together for five years since college graduation.

Every single meal was prepared by me. I was the one who woke up early and rushed to the grocery store right after work.

Ethan barely even washed a dish.

The last time I talked to my mom, I lied to keep her from worrying.

"Mom, Ethan is so good to me. He cooks for me every day."

"He treats me like a princess."

My mom had smiled happily. Back at home, I was spoiled rotten; I barely knew how to boil water.

I replayed the video several times.

And I finally realized.

It wasn't that he didn't know how to cook.

He just didn't want to cook for me.

Their latest video was posted a week ago.

At a jewelry counter, Ethan was gently holding the girl's hand, examining two diamond rings.

The caption read: *Couldn't decide which one looked better, so Ethan bought me both!*

In the background, I could clearly hear his voice.

"I'll never let you feel envious of anyone else."

I suddenly remembered that morning.

Before leaving, he had kissed my forehead, claiming he had an urgent business trip.

He told me not to call him unless it was an emergency.

I had agreed obediently. I didn't send a single text all day, terrified of distracting him.

The only message I got from him that day was:

"Baby, do you have any spare cash? I need to advance some money for this project."

"My account is a bit tight right now."

Without a second thought, I wired $10,000 to his card.

After receiving the money, he never texted back.

It turned out he was using my money to buy wedding rings for another woman.