Chapter 3

By the time I dragged myself back to the villa, Ethan had already finished dinner with Vivian.

They were curled up together on the plush living room sofa, watching a soap opera and laughing about the plot.

"If I were the main character, I'd dump him instantly," Vivian giggled, leaning her head onto Ethan's shoulder.

She caught sight of me standing in the foyer and sneered, her voice dripping with fake disgust.

"Honestly, the female lead is pathetic. Clinging to a man who clearly doesn't want her!"

Watching them, I felt like someone had shoved a wad of cotton down my throat.

I remembered watching the exact same show a few months ago. Ethan had walked past the television and snapped at me:

"Turn that garbage down! Don't you know how annoying that noise is?"

"I have no idea how you can watch such brainless trash. I'd rather die than watch a second of it!"

Looking back now, it wasn't the show he hated.

He just hated me.

And because he hated me, he hated everything associated with me.

Hearing the front door click shut, Ethan only shot me a frigid glance before turning back to the screen.

He didn't say a word.

He was still punishing me for refusing to hand over my umbrella at the hospital.

I walked past them, ignoring them completely, and headed to the dining room to eat.

Halfway through my meal, Vivian drifted into the dining room, sniffing the air dramatically.

"Summer, whatever you're eating smells amazing." She turned toward the kitchen. "Maria, is there any left? Bring me a plate!"

The housekeeper, Maria, looked troubled.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. The doctor ordered specific dietary meals for you and Miss Summer, so I only prepared one portion of each."

Before Maria could finish, Ethan marched into the dining room.

Without a word, he grabbed the tray right out from under my hands and placed it directly in front of Vivian.

"It's just dinner. Eat up, Vivian. We can't let you and the baby starve, can we?"

Then he turned to me, completely unapologetic. "Summer, have Maria whip up something else for you. Vivian rarely has an appetite these days. She's technically your elder now—learn to be generous."

My stomach was cramping from hunger, and my lower body still throbbed with post-surgery ache.

I gripped my fork so hard my knuckles turned white.

*Clatter!*

I slammed the fork onto the table and finally exploded.

"Is the Hayes family going bankrupt? Do you have to snatch food out of my mouth to feed your father's widow?"

"You treat your little stepmom so damn well, Ethan. Anyone watching would think you're marrying *her* tomorrow!"

Hit right where it hurt, Ethan’s face flushed with furious embarrassment.

"Summer, what the hell are you babbling about?!" he roared. "You just walked through the door and you're already starting drama! Who gave you the right to act like a spoiled brat?"

Vivian immediately buried her face in her hands, sobbing pathetically, her shoulders shaking.

Yet she kept up the innocent act:

"No, Ethan, please don't fight with her because of me!"

"It's all my fault. Pregnancy cravings make me want everything I see. Here, Summer, take it back, I don't want it! You chased Ethan for three whole years before you two finally got together. Your wedding is tomorrow—please don't ruin it over a plate of food!"

The more fragile Vivian played, the darker and more murderous Ethan's expression became.

He pulled Vivian against his chest, softly soothing her.

"Vivian, don't cry."

"Why are you apologizing to her? You did nothing wrong."

Then he spun on me, his eyes full of venom.

"Summer, if you hadn't chased after me like a stray dog for three years, do you really think I ever would have dated you, let alone agreed to marry you? If you ever target Vivian again, I swear to God I'll call off the wedding right now!"

Vivian, terrified that we might actually resolve the fight, peeked out with tear-stained eyes and tugged timidly at Ethan's sleeve.

"Ethan, please, stop. Summer just loves you too much. She's scared I'll steal you away."

"I'll pack my bags and move out tomorrow. I won't be a third wheel anymore..."

"Move out?" Ethan cut her off, his glare slicing into me like a knife. "If anyone is leaving, it's her!"

"This house is mine. Everything in the Hayes estate is mine. Summer, if you keep pulling this pathetic attitude, the wedding is canceled, and you can get the hell out of my house!"

"Now, apologize to Vivian. Right now!"