My father advocated reconciliation. “He seems sincere. We know about Anna’s situation. You can’t really blame Ethan for this.”
He patted my hand. “Give him one more chance. If it doesn’t work out, I promise he’ll never set foot in this house again.”
Charlotte secretly rolled her eyes beside me, making me chuckle.
When Ethan emerged from the kitchen carrying dishes, he caught me laughing and seemed relieved.
He ushered us to the dining table, acting more like the host of the house than my own parents.
Not wanting to disrespect my father, I pulled out a chair and sat down.
Meanwhile, Charlotte took the seat to my left. When Ethan moved to sit on my right, she quickly grabbed the back of that chair.
She flashed Ethan a fake smile. “This seat’s taken.”
Just then, someone knocked on the door. Charlotte hurried to answer it and ushered in a tall, slender figure,
It was her brother, Seth Sanders.
Seth stood by my right side, towering over Ethan by half a head.
The siblings flanked me, completely blocking, Ethan from my side.
Charlotte served me a piece of pork, while her brother, too shy to serve me directly, quietly peeled shrimp wearing food gloves.
He placed them on the plate beside me. Everyone could tell they were meant for me, and everyone could see that Ethan had completely lost his appetite.
Halfway through the meal, Ethan’s phone rang.
A soft female voice came through “Ethan, the surgery is tonight. Aren’t you coming to be with me?”
The table fell silent.
Chapter 4
+25 Bonus
Ethan hesitated. “Your parents will be with you.”
He then quickly hung up. My father’s expression softened a bit more.
Only I felt a sense of coldness inside, still unsure if I was mocking Ethan or myself.
Sure enough, the phone rang again shortly after.
This time, urgent gasping and crying came from the other end. “Ethan, I only want you. I’m in so much pain… Won’t you come stay with me? This might be our last time together…”
A harsh sound broke the silence as my father put down his utensils with force.
Ethan glanced at my father, then at me. I could see the veins standing out on his hand as he gripped the phone.
I picked up another shrimp with my fork and said casually, “Go ahead.”
As if given a command, Ethan shot me a grateful look and immediately stood up. “Lou, when I come back, I promise I’ll give you an even grander wedding.”
I had intended to let this pass and discuss our breakup properly later, not wanting to spoil the mood today.
I had not expected him to sicken me further.
I put down my fork, wiped my mouth deliberately, and stood up as well. “I’ll go with you. Let me also see her one last time.”
Ethan hesitated for a moment. “Alright.”
