Chapter 4

When the elevator indicator showed he had reached the parking garage, I pulled out my phone and called Chloe.

"I'm taking the morning off."

"Reason?" she asked, sounding entitled.

"Buying a car."

"Did you tell Ethan?"

"No need."

By the time I hung up, I was already in a cab heading to the dealership.

Browsing, test-driving, signing, paying, and taking the keys.

It took less than half a day to get everything done.

When I pressed the key fob and my new SUV beeped in response, a sense of liberation washed over me.

That was when Ethan finally called.

I picked up.

"Harper! Buying a car is a huge deal! Why didn't you discuss it with me?"

"I used my own money."

"That's not what I mean! Do you even know how to pick a good car? Come back now, I'll go with you when I have time."

"You've been saying that for two years."

"But I still took the subway for two years."

The line went dead silent.

When I parked the car at the company garage, Ethan was already waiting there.

"You drove back alone? How long has it been since you last drove? Do you know how dangerous that is?"

Looking at his anxious face, I almost laughed out loud.

When the heavy rain flooded the subway station and I had to walk two miles home in the storm, he wasn't worried.

When I sprained my ankle and limped to the subway every day, he wasn't worried.

When I worked until 2:00 AM and took a cab home alone, he wasn't worried.

But now that I had my own car, he suddenly cared about my safety.

"Ethan, I hired a driving instructor. I'll be fine after a few laps."

He froze.

In the past, if he scolded me like this, I would have argued back.

I would have stayed up all night just to prove him wrong.

But now, I was as calm as if I were answering what I had for breakfast.

His expression hardened.

"Harper, you... seem different."

A delivery guy interrupted us, running toward Ethan. Ethan stepped forward to take the paper bag.

"Chloe didn't eat lunch. It took me forever to convince her to drink a cup of coffee. Kids these days," he mumbled, shaking his head with a fond smile.

"Not like us back then..."

I cut him off. "Yeah, not like us back then, when we couldn't even afford a single cup of Starbucks."

His smile froze on his face.

I didn't stop. I walked straight past him and went to the office.

At 4:00 PM, I was doing the handover with Chloe.

Ethan walked in with two cups of iced coffee.

I frowned.

In eight years, this was the first time he had ever brought anything to my desk.

I knew I was just benefiting from Chloe's presence.

She squealed with joy and threw her arms around his neck.

Ethan instinctively caught her, but when his eyes met mine, he quickly pushed her away.

"I was just worried you guys... might be thirsty."

Chloe took a sip, giggling. "Thanks, Ethan! You're the sweetest!"

"Since you cover all my meals, I'm saving so much money!"

Ethan saw that I hadn't touched my cup. "Why aren't you drinking? Try it."

I pushed the cup away.

"No thanks, Mr. Vance. Did you forget I'm highly allergic to caffeine?"

His face turned sour. Seeing no one was looking, he lowered his voice.

"This is exactly why I hate buying you things. You never give any positive feedback."

"Have you ever bought me anything?" I asked flatly.

His Adam's apple bobbed. He muttered something about "just trying to be nice" and walked away.

I thought the handover would go quickly so I could leave early.

But Chloe was way more difficult than I anticipated.

I had already organized all client folders by industry standards and archived all design drafts.