Chapter 2

The wind was fierce.

By the time I got home, I was soaked through.

The moment I pushed open the door, I saw Ethan grab a blanket and drape it gently over Autumn's shoulders.

"You're back."

Ethan smiled at me.

A perfectly standard, perfectly mechanical smile.

Like it was just a step in a routine he had to get through.

He went straight to the kitchen, and a few minutes later came back out carrying a bowl of hot soup and some cold medicine.

"Here. Take these. Do not let yourself get chilled again."

I stayed standing in the doorway.

Everything in front of me felt strangely foreign.

When I miscarried, Ethan had only shown up with takeout. He had made a point of telling me he had carefully chosen something nutritious, reminding me to eat well for the next few days.

I was in the hospital for seven days. He came once.

Ethan said he was not good at taking care of people, so there was no point in him being there.

Turns out, he just did not want to take care of me.

With Autumn, Ethan was a completely different person.

He blew on the soup carefully, cooling it before bringing the spoon to her lips.

"It is still hot!"

The moment she said it, he tensed up.

A second later he tasted it himself.

They shared the same spoon.

Not a trace of hesitation on his face.

How was this possible?

Just a few days ago, I had found a coffee I really liked and slid it over to Ethan without thinking.

He had immediately looked uncomfortable and wiped the straw with a napkin.

He said lipstick was on it.

But I had not been wearing any makeup that day.

In the room, underneath the two of them laughing together, I could actually hear my own heartbeat.

Loud and fast.

It took Autumn a while to remember I was there.

"Ava, why are you just standing in the doorway? Come eat with us."

Ethan looked a little awkward.

He quickly ladled out a bowl for me.

Hot soup with oil floating on top, smelling wonderful. But it turned bitter the moment it hit my mouth.

This was not something I was meant to enjoy.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Autumn's gaze darting around.

"Ava, please do not read into anything. I just went out looking for some inspiration and ran into Ethan by coincidence."

At that, Ethan chimed in immediately.

"Exactly. She just wanted to finish her draft sooner, which would take some of the workload off you too."

Both of them looked at me at the same time.

Suddenly my throat felt like something was lodged in it. I could not make a sound.

I had heard these words too many times.

All twenty of those times before. None of it intentional. All of it coincidence.

I genuinely did not know how they could be so certain I would keep believing it.

When I did not answer, Autumn reached into her bag and pulled out her manuscript.

My rational mind came back a little.

Autumn was a bestselling manga artist. I was her editor.

Before I quit, it had still been my job.

I pushed my tears back down.

I forced myself to focus and review her manuscript properly.

Her art style was distinct and striking.

But the plot always felt scattered.

"This part does not work. The two leads just started dating. Why would they be showering together?"

"You have to keep it grounded in reality."

Before I had even finished, Autumn frowned.

Her expression was completely baffled.

"It is realistic."

"Last time in Bali, Ethan scrubbed my back for me."