Chapter 2

Serena's POV

The girl on stage nodded through her tears. The whole venue cheered.

When the crowd dispersed, I was pushed into the lounge area.

I leaned against the wall, my legs too weak to stand steady.

A young woman in uniform carrying a tray passed by me, glanced at me, and stopped.

"Miss, are you with the media? The media entrance is on the right."

"I'm..." My voice was hoarse. "I'm looking for Ethan."

The girl smiled politely.

"Ethan is with Violet right now. If you need something, please schedule through his assistant first."

"Violet?"

"Violet, Ethan's fiancée." The girl lowered her voice with a hint of pride. "She's five months pregnant. She made a special appearance today. Ethan gave strict orders that no one disturb her."

I steadied myself against the wall and slowly smiled.

Before I could say anything, light footsteps approached from behind.

"You don't look well. Are you feeling okay?"

I turned around.

The girl who had just accepted a proposal on stage stood in front of me, one hand protecting her belly, the other reaching toward me. When she smiled, her eyes curved, and a dimple appeared on her left cheek.

"Do you need me to help you sit down? Ethan is really busy today. There were so many elders at the premiere who weren't feeling well. I helped them all."

She leaned closer, her voice sickeningly sweet.

"My name is Violet. I'm Ethan's fiancée. Which media outlet are you from? How come I've never seen you before?"

I looked at her.

At this face that resembled mine at twenty-two by about thirty percent.

At the emerald ring on her hand.

At the slight curve of her belly.

"Violet, don't wander off. I've been looking for you forever."

A familiar voice came from behind.

I turned my head. Across the moving crowd, my eyes collided with Ethan's.

The smile on Ethan's face froze inch by inch.

The bouquet of red roses in his hands dropped to the ground with a thud.

"Serena?"

Violet leaned against Ethan's shoulder, peeking out from his embrace like a startled fawn, looking at me timidly.

"Ethan, who is this person..."

"An old employee from the company." Ethan's expression looked uncomfortable. He avoided my gaze. "My assistant is waiting for you in the lobby on the first floor. Go to the car first."

"Ethan, I-"

"Be good." He coaxed her in a low voice.

Violet left with reluctant backward glances. As she passed by me, she slowed down half a step. That fragile, helpless demeanor instantly vanished without a trace. She lowered her voice and laughed softly:

"You don't look well. Ethan can be pretty blunt when he talks. Whatever he says, please don't take it too much to heart."

She smiled smugly, stroking her slightly swollen belly, and walked away triumphantly.

I stood frozen in place, watching her retreating figure, nausea churning in my stomach.

Ethan didn't take me to the VIP lounge.

With a cold face, he clamped down on my wrist with force hard enough to leave red marks. He dragged me all the way out through the cinema's most hidden side door and roughly shoved me into a black van parked by the roadside.

The moment the car door closed, the sounds of several reporters' camera shutters and shouts were completely cut off.

The car drove south. Ten minutes later, it stopped at the far end of the third underground parking level of the cinema. It was pitch black here, without even a single security camera.

He turned off the engine and flicked on the interior light with a "click." The harsh white light hit our faces.

"When did you get back to the country?" His tone was accusatory.

"This afternoon."

"Why didn't you tell me you changed your flight?"

I turned my head, using the overhead light to look at this familiar yet strange face.

I didn't get angry. I just felt sad. I said word by word, "Ethan, let's get divorced."