- 10.
Ethan’s company went under. Chloe, seeking
revenge for his earlier dismissal, stole
<
confidential files and took them to a rival
company. It was the final blow.
I saw Ethan again a few months later. He
looked haggard, his hair streaked with gray,
his clothes rumpled and dirty. He saw me and
burst into tears. “Ash, did I mess up badly?”
I showed him my ring. “Ethan, I’m getting
married. Don’t contact me again.”
He looked up sharply, his eyes fixated on the
ring. His voice was hoarse. “Ash, I’m so sorry.
It was Chloe. She seduced me. I realize now
that I love you.”
Ethan always blamed others for his mistakes.
I’d been so blind to have loved him.
“Ash, please forgive me. I’ll never do it again.
L
I looked at him, my voice flat. “You disgust
me.”
He flinched. “You say you love me, but where
were you when I was in the hospital? You
were playing video games with Chloe. You
didn’t even call to check on me. The next day,
you made her favorite seafood chowder,
forgetting I’m allergic. I know about
everything, Ethan. I know about my mom’s
funeral, our anniversary, our graduation trip.
You were with Chloe every single time. You
say you love me? Don’t you think that’s
sickening?”
Ethan deflated, all the fight gone out of him. I
turned to leave, but he grabbed my hand. “Is
there really no chance for us?”
く
“Let go of me.”
“Ash, I still love you. Only you. I know I made
mistakes, but I know better now. Can’t you
forgive me, just this once?“.
I pulled my hand away. “No, Ethan. I don’t
love you. There’s no chance for us.” I walked
away without looking back.
