Chapter 3

The concert hall was packed, and I watched helplessly as Ethan's hand secretly slipped into Hailey's.

Drifting weightlessly above them, my heart was drowning in pure despair and rage.

Hailey suddenly tilted her head, asking softly, "Do you think Chloe would've liked this concert?"

"Her? She doesn't have the taste to appreciate real art."

I do!

The very first classical concert you ever attended was on a front-row ticket I bought after saving every penny from my minimum-wage job for an entire month!

Ethan's father was a wealthy real estate mogul who demanded he inherit the family empire, strictly forbidding him from pursuing the piano.

Back when we first met, a world-famous pianist he adored was holding a recital in our city.

To thank him for saving me from those bullies,

I worked endless shifts at a local boba shop, using my entire month's paycheck to buy him that one front-row ticket.

We could only afford a single seat.

He sat inside listening to the music, while I sat outside on the curb, waiting in the cold for him to finish.

As I was lost in the bitter memories, that familiar pulling force yanked me forward again.

When I snapped back to reality, the concert had already ended.

Hailey was linked to Ethan's arm as they walked into a luxury revolving rooftop restaurant.

Throughout the dinner, he treated her with effortless gentleness and devotion.

Floating beside them, I let out a hollow laugh.

In all the years before our marriage turned toxic,

I practically had to beg him on my knees just to get him to spare an hour to eat with me.

He would never waste his precious time on candlelit dinners or fine dining with me.

Yet here he was, lingering over wine and candlelight with her.

"Hailey, close your eyes."

So he was only ever a cold, unyielding stone when facing me.

Hailey giggled playfully, covering her eyes with her hands.

A second later, a delicate diamond necklace gleamed against her throat.

It was shaped like a little fish.

I had loved fish ever since I was a little girl.

Ethan had once promised me:

He said he would build me the most beautiful aquarium, buy me the finest fish necklace, and propose to me with a custom fish-shaped diamond ring.

I stared at the sparkling pendant in complete disbelief.

"A fish?"

"To a future full of endless abundance and joy," Ethan smiled at her tenderly.

It was New Year's Eve.

Memory hit me like a physical blow—I had left the house in the rain that night specifically to pick up his New Year's gift.

"Doesn't Chloe love fish jewelry?"

Hailey pouted slightly, pretending to be uncomfortable.

"This necklace cost six figures. A woman like her doesn't deserve something this exquisite. Only you do, Hailey."

Ethan leaned forward, gently tapping Hailey's nose to coax a smile out of her.

"Fine, I suppose I'll accept it then," Hailey beamed radiantly.

Under the warm glow of the chandelier, they looked like the picture-perfect couple.

And what was I? What did I amount to in his eyes?

I had loved him with every beat of my heart, only to end up a ghost forced to witness their stolen bliss.

I wanted to scream until my lungs gave out, but no sound escaped my lips.