Chapter 2

I thought saying this would make Ethan happy, but his face darkened instead.

I didn't understand what he was angry about.

These were the exact words he used to tell me whenever I got jealous.

Unfortunately, back then, I never believed in pure platonic friendship between men and women. Even when he said it, I still demanded he keep his distance from Chloe.

He agreed to my face, but behind my back, he was always with her, until I caught them together at a gala.

I had lost my mind, screaming and hitting him, only to end up suffering the consequences myself.

Did he forget all of that?

But I didn't care about his mood. I looked down at my phone, calculating how long it would take to save up enough for the burial plot.

Ethan felt an absurd sensation washing over him.

He didn't expect that after five years, I would accept his relationship with Chloe so easily.

But... it shouldn't be like this.

Shouldn't I be criticizing him for crossing the line?

Looking at my peaceful profile, Ethan reassured himself: She must be so afraid of losing me again that she doesn't dare to get angry.

Suddenly, I remembered that Julian's photos were still at my old apartment. I asked Ethan to drive me there first.

Ethan refused instantly, his face full of disgust. "Do you think our estate has room for your trash?"

"Just call your landlord, terminate the lease, and tell them to throw everything away on eBay or something."

I opened my mouth, wanting to tell him that it wasn't a rented apartment. But on second thought, I simply nodded in obedience.

That tiny, twenty-square-meter apartment was the inheritance Julian had left me.

No one else needed to know about it.

The rest of the drive was silent.

Half an hour later, I stood in front of my former home.

In the yard, the sycamore tree I had planted with my own hands was thriving, having weathered five years of wind and rain.

I was surprised. I remembered that when I left, Ethan had threatened to tear it down.

Yet, five years later, it was still standing strong.

Ethan walked up to me, looking slightly uncomfortable. "I had a landscaper look at it. He said the tree was good for the estate's layout, so I didn't dig it up."

I nodded, wondering why he felt the need to explain.

I wasn't delusional enough to think he kept it out of lingering feelings for me.

In fact, I was still waiting for him to tell me the real reason he wanted me back.

Soon enough, I got my answer. It turned out his sudden desire to remarry was still for his precious childhood friend.

The front door opened from the inside. Pale-faced Chloe stood there, supported by a maid, smiling. "Ethan, you're back?"

I already knew she was staying here, so I greeted her naturally. "Hi, Chloe. Long time no see."

Chloe didn't seem to expect me to be this calm. Her face wore her usual fake smile as she said warmly, "Eliza, it's been so long!"

"I made a birthday wish that Ethan would get back together with you. I can't believe he actually found you!"

"I guess Ethan really is my Santa Claus. He always makes my wishes come true."

If this were the old me, I would have been devastated.

To know that my return was just a fulfillment of another woman's birthday wish.

But now, far from being upset, I felt incredibly grateful. "Thank you, Chloe. Ethan told me you were injured. Don't worry, I'll take great care of you."

This time, Chloe completely lost her composure. She stared at me in shock, utterly speechless.

Ethan was also stunned. He tried to search my eyes for any sign of pretense, but he only found absolute sincerity.

That strange, unsettling feeling in his chest grew even stronger.

He quickly explained, "Chloe is just joking. You're my wife. Of course I wanted to remarry you after careful consideration."

I smiled and flattered him, "You're the CEO of the Vance Group. Every decision you make is, of course, thoroughly calculated."

"Chloe's words were probably just a reference. I understand. I get it completely."

Even though I said exactly what he should have wanted to hear, Ethan still wasn't satisfied.

He glared at me with a dark face, his eyes filled with a deep scrutiny I couldn't understand.

I stared back at him, utterly confused.

Defeated by my blank, innocent gaze, he turned and walked into the living room in frustration.

I went to follow him, but Chloe blocked me at the door.

She whispered in my ear, "Five years away, and your acting skills have really improved."

"Too bad playing hard to get won't work when it comes to absolute favoritism."

"Let me tell you the truth. Ethan only brought you back because I can't get pregnant. He wants you to have a baby for me so I can marry into the Vance family smoothly."

My heart shook.

Have a baby?

I slowly traced my hand over my lower abdomen. There had been a child there once. But its father had personally destroyed it.