But now…
I shook my head, tossing them into the trash
along with the framed photos.
Don’t worry, Ethan.
This time, I really don’t love you anymore.
A few days later, I got my passport. Tears
welled up in my eyes.
く
Five more days until I could leave.
That’s when the phone rang.
It was one of Ethan’s buddies, his voice all
frantic.
“Lily, you gotta come quick. Ethan’s drunk
and trying to drive. We can’t talk him out of
it.”
Without thinking, I floored it to where they
were hanging out.
As soon as I opened the door, I heard.
laughter.
“Classic Ethan. One phone call and she
comes running.”
Г
That’s when I realized I’d been played.
Without a word, I turned to leave. But one of
Ethan’s friends grabbed my wrist.
His eyes were filled with a drunken leer.
“Hey there, pretty lady. Why you wasting your
time on Ethan? Take a look at me.”
His hand started to wander, but Ethan
grabbed his arm.
His face was twisted with anger. “She’s my
sister. Back off.”
For a second, I saw the Ethan who used to
protect me.
The guy just shrugged, annoyed. “She’s a
<
grown–up. What’s the big deal?”
Chloe stepped forward, taking Ethan’s hand.
“Yeah, my dear sister, she’s going to be my
bridesmaid, and it’s time she found a
boyfriend. Otherwise, she’ll keep staring at
what she shouldn’t.”
She glanced at me, her meaning clear.
Ethan gave me a complicated look, but he let
go of the guy’s arm.
Chloe pulled him to sit down.
The guy’s hand landed on my waist. “Well,
little sister, looks like your brother doesn’t
care anymore.”
But my eyes were locked on Ethan, standing
in the back of the room.
Through the haze of smoke, I couldn’t make
out his face. All I felt was a cold knot in my
stomach.
I couldn’t reconcile his face with the golden
boy who would’ve defended me without a
second thought.
His hand was getting bolder.
Without hesitation, I grabbed a bottle and
smashed it over his head.
The glass exploded, sending shards flying
across my face.
Ethan finally stepped out of the shadows,
frowning at the mess.
Г
His gaze landed on my face. “Lily, that’s too
far.”
I never thought the boy who was always there
for me would turn on me.
A hysterical laugh bubbled up, tears
streaming down my face.
“What do you want from me?”
Without hesitating, I lifted the bottle and
smashed it over my own head. Blood
streamed down my face, but I just smiled
coldly at Ethan.
“Is this what you want? Is this what will finally
make you happy? My dear brother?”
く
I’d always refused to call him “brother.”
But now, covered in blood, I said it without a
care in the world.
Something twisted in Ethan’s chest.
He wanted to say something, but Lily had
already passed out.
When I woke up, I was in the hospital.
I rubbed my throbbing head.
Ethan was sitting next to me, holding a bowl
of rice porridge. He sighed, his voice full of
concern.
“Lily, I didn’t mean it like that. Please promise
me you won’t do anything like that again.”
His voice was gentle, just like when he’d
rescued me from the bathroom years ago.
He’d looked at me the same way, stroking my
hair. “Lily, if anyone messes with you, tell me.
I’ll take care of it. No one messes with my
sister.”
I stared at him, drinking the porridge he’d
cooled down.
Something inside me started to flicker back
to life.
The day before I left, my cuts were finally
healing.
Ethan didn’t come to see me.
<
But Chloe did.
She leaned against the doorframe, a sneer on
her face.
“Well, look who’s got a hold on him again.”
I ignored her.
Honestly, I never liked her.
When my parents divorced, Mom wanted to
take her with us, but Chloe looked down on
Mom’s unstable job.
Then, we ran into each other at school, and
she started rumors that got me bullied and
ostracized.
She even told my dad where we lived, forcing
L
And when Mom remarried and got pregnant,
she told my dad, which led to her death.
Suddenly, she clapped her hands, and the
guys from the bar walked in.
“Enjoy the gift.”
One of them pushed me onto the bed. “You
think you’re too good for us, huh?”
I struggled, but as he tried to rip my clothes, I
broke free and ran.
Gasping for breath, I saw Chloe at the top of
the stairs. The rage I’d been holding back
finally exploded.
Grabbing her collar, I demanded, “Why?”
She just gave me a weird smile, then threw
herself down the stairs.
That’s when I saw the look of anger in Ethan’s
eyes and knew what she’d planned.
She clutched her leg, tears streaming down.
her face.
“I know you like Ethan, but we’re in love. I
can’t give him up. Why are you doing this to
me? My leg hurts so bad.”
Ethan rushed to her side.
“Lily, I can’t believe you.”
His anger was a burning flame. I stumbled
backward.
Г
“I didn’t.”
Chloe sobbed into Ethan’s chest.
“Ethan, my leg really hurts. I don’t want to
push Lily away, but I can’t lose you.”
