Chapter 4

The apartment I rented wasn't far from Ethan's place. He'd asked me to move in with him before.

I couldn't bear to give up this place I'd paid for annually, so I never agreed.

Thinking about it now, I realized this was one of the few right choices I'd made.

My best friend Sophie found out I'd moved back and rushed over with her child.

"Emily, there's something I'm really curious about. How did you find out he went to that boutique hotel with someone else?"

I was playing with toys to entertain the little one when I heard her question. My smile faded. "I used his phone to book a hotel before and entered my number. Last time I forgot to change it back."

That careless mistake completely woke me from the beautiful dream I'd been weaving.

"Unbelievable. He looks so decent on the outside, but what he does is worse than trash. Good thing you found out before the wedding. If you'd discovered this after getting married, that would've been even more disgusting."

Sophie had always been someone who loved and hated boldly, never holding back when cursing people out.

My gloomy mood lightened considerably thanks to her counsel.

"Don't worry. You're beautiful and capable. You'll meet an even better man!"

I smiled brightly, agreeing with her words.

After adjusting my mood, I returned to work at the company.

Colleagues who knew I was getting married during this time saw me come to work and expressed their congratulations.

Seeing their happy smiles for my sake.

A warm current flowed through my heart. After the joy came a wave of melancholy.

Who would have thought I'd returned to being single again?

"Emily, you're not planning to start trying for a baby now, are you? Everyone knows the manager position is practically yours. If you choose family at this point, it won't be worth it."

During lunch break, a colleague wheeled her chair over to sit beside me, speaking quietly.

I'd actually struggled with this dilemma before—unwilling to give up the promotion opportunity right within reach, yet also unwilling to abandon the little family I'd just formed.

But now, my problem had solved itself.

"Don't worry. I won't have those plans for the next few years."

"Huh? Your husband won't say anything?"

I smiled calmly. "No one has the right to interfere with my decisions."

My colleague paused, then gave me a thumbs up and praised, "You're really clear-headed. But you're right—life is your own. No one has the right to boss us around."

Bitterness rose in my heart. If I'd really been clear-headed, I wouldn't have waited until now to turn back.

After that, I focused all my energy on work, deliberately avoiding everything related to Ethan.

I discovered that when you really wanted to avoid someone, it was actually quite easy.

For five consecutive days, I didn't see Ethan.

Just when I thought he'd given up, he showed up at my door.

I was carrying groceries I'd just bought home. When I stepped out of the elevator, I saw a tall man standing by my door.

Ethan held a bouquet of bright red roses. In his well-fitted suit, his superior figure was hard to ignore.

I walked coldly to the door, wanting to unlock it.

"Emily, let's talk."

"What is there left for us to talk about?" I glanced at him indifferently. "Move. I need to go home."

"What I did before was wrong. I came to apologize."