Being around them, they didn’t shy away from
chatting in front of me.
Slowly, I found out Ethan had actually really
cared about relationships, he had plans to
L
propose, had spent a lot of time picking out a
ring, and booked venues.
But in the end, over something small, his first
love didn’t think he loved her enough, they
had a huge fight, both were tired of the
drama, she ran away, he didn’t stop her, and
they split.
They were supposed to get married.
When they got to the end, someone showed
me a photo, not holding back at all. “You look
a little like Chloe actually, that’s why we
started the betting pool.”
In the picture, Chloe had a big smile on her
face.
Very similar to the girl under the camphor
<
When I heard about the bet, I just thought
they were being stupid. Looking at it now, it
was me who was stupid.
Everyone knew he was still hung up on his
first love.
He still checked on her, every year, he’d send
her the most expensive jewelry through an
envoy for her birthday. When she was having
a hard time, he would drop everything and
secretly help her solve all her problems,
He’d do it without contacting her, or letting
her know. He never let her go.
I was the only naive one who thought that I
was really different to him.
In the end someone laughed and said, “After
Chloe left, Ethan started going through.
girlfriends one after another, we all think he’s
doing it to make her come back.”
Everyone laughed at that. Ethan came back
after a phone call and sat next to me, holding
my hand, laughing lightly, “What’s so funny?
What are you guys talking about?”
I stared at him, feeling cold inside. “We were
talking about your first love.”
He paused, a rare look of being thrown off,
and in the end didn’t say her name, he just
said lightly, “What’s there to talk about?”
It was the first time I ever thought about
breaking up with him.
I should be thanking his friends, they didn’t let
<
me stay in the dark. It’s because they didn’t
care about my feelings, that I was able to
wake up and face the situation.
That I was just a stand in, a method for him.
to get back the woman he loves.
4
After that day, I could feel things were
different between Ethan and I.
But neither of us mentioned Chloe.
He didn’t seem like he had any intention of
explaining himself.
He started being more generous to me, he
took me to all kinds of auctions, whenever I
showed interest in something, soon it would
く
I don’t remember who said this.
But they said Ethan treated every girlfriend
like gold, he was generous when they broke
up, whatever they wanted, he’d give to them,
money, resources, anything.
Kind of like they’d reached a deal.
The night before his birthday, he had two
transfer documents delivered to me.
A house, and a car.
When I got them, my fingers were freezing, I
shook as I called him.
I acted like it was nothing, and asked, “It’s
your birthday, giving me such expensive gifts,
don’t you feel like you’re losing out?”
“Losing out on what? I like you, I want to treat
you right.” He said, a little cheerful, a hint of
a smile.
Like the sweet things you say in love.
I clenched my fist, forcing myself to stay
calm.
“These gifts are too extravagant, they’re like
a dowry.”
He didn’t answer for a long time.
I bit my lip, tears silently falling down my
cheeks.
Finally, he said in a casual tone, “Mia.
“Don’t overthink it. Get some sleep, I’ll pick
<
Should I believe him?
He’s doing all this because he likes me, not
because he wants to break up.
5
The next day, Ethan picked me up as
promised.
As soon as we got to the party, his phone
rang.
He stared at the number for a long time, then
let go of my hand. “Go on in, I’ll take this
call.”
Someone like him, with so much confidence,
actually looked like he was hesitating.
く
I said okay.
I found a seat and sat down, then, someone
came in.
“It’s so cold out there, who’s Ethan talking to
on the phone?”
“Who else could it be, Chloe. I overheard a
bit, sounds like she’s coming back in a few
days.”
“No way, Ethan must be so happy!”
After years of waiting, the people you love
finally get their happy ending, no matter who
they are, they have a right to be happy.
In the end, someone sighed, “In the end,
Ethan’s always gonna be with Chloe.”
く
Everyone else was reminiscing about the
past, moved by their love, making me, his
current girlfriend, feel like an outsider.
