Chapter 3

Five minutes later, I walked out of the lottery store.

I carefully folded the ten thin lottery tickets and put them into my pocket, close to my body.

I unconsciously clenched my hand, my fingertips trembling slightly.

Before yesterday, I was willing to sacrifice my own future for Ethan and Lily.

But now, I only cared about myself.

As I walked towards the apartment building.

I vaguely heard rustling sounds from the lawn ahead.

"Lily, let me hug you. I've missed you so much."

It was Ethan's voice.

Then came the sound of clothes rubbing together, and wet kissing sounds.

I was about to walk past when I heard Ethan's voice again,

"Chloe is such a tag-along, always clinging to us. Good thing she's not around today, or we wouldn't have any alone time."

"You're so bad, don't talk about Chloe like that."

Lily's coquettish voice followed.

Ethan chuckled, taking over with a spoiled tone,

"Okay, okay, we won't talk about her."

"But Lily, we can't go public yet. Chloe wouldn't be able to handle it."

Lily sniffled, a little wronged,

"Okay, I know. Chloe is so pitiful, and she's always liked you a lot."

"Chloe is sensitive, fragile, and has a weird personality. She's always disliked me. In her subconscious, Mom and I are the culprits who destroyed her family."

"But I actually like her."

Ethan sighed.

"Lily, you're just too kind. No matter what, you're innocent."

I didn't listen any further, turning and quickening my pace.

To say I wasn't sad at all would be a lie.

Ethan was my most important friend when I was a child.

Even after Dad took me back, my connection with Ethan never broke.

He would worry about me being bullied, constantly reminding me to watch out for my stepmom, almost like he had paranoia.

[Chloe, you have to be careful of your stepmom. She doesn't look like a good person; that's how it always goes in TV dramas.]

[You should be careful of your dad too. After all, a new mom often means a new dad.]

[That sister of yours isn't simple either. A child born from an affair—what good could come from that?]

[Chloe, if you get bullied, tell me, and I'll rush over to save you that very night.]

[We're childhood sweethearts; I'll be your strongest support.]

Later in high school, Ethan threw tantrums at home to protect me, absolutely insisting on coming to the same school as me.

…

I took a deep breath.

Compared to that slight melancholy, what filled my heart was the wild joy of impending destiny change.

Back home, I buried myself in my room.

By then, it was 8:50 AM.

The lottery drawing was less than half an hour away.

I reached into my pocket and touched the lottery tickets, feeling like I was holding a scorching hot fire-ball.

Just then, someone knocked on my door.

I opened it.

It was Ethan who knocked, with Lily standing beside him.

Seeing me, Lily immediately flashed a sweet smile, walked over, and linked her arm through mine, her voice soft, innocent, and spoiled,

"Chloe, where did you go this morning? Ethan and I waited for you forever."

Ethan frowned at me, his eyes filled with worry and confusion,

"What's wrong with you? You haven't replied to any messages all day. Do you know how worried we were about you?"

"Didn't check my phone."

I said dismissively.

Ethan paused slightly, the tenderness in his eyes fading a bit, a flicker of annoyance crossing his brows.

But soon, his brow smoothed, and he chuckled,

"You're throwing a fit because we asked you to apply to Texas College, aren't you? Chloe, you're so stubborn."

"Honestly, if you really didn't want to, who could force you? But you can't agree verbally and then secretly resent us."