Chapter 4

The guests around us whispered and stared.

Some looked at me with pity.

Others were clearly enjoying the drama.

I ignored them all, walking straight into the main hall to hand Grandpa Arthur his gift.

"Happy 80th birthday, Grandpa."

He smiled warmly at me. "Thank you, sweetheart."

Ethan walked in a step behind, standing side-by-side with Lily. They looked more like the married couple.

Grandpa paused, looking at them, then grabbed mine and Ethan's hands, placing them together. "So, when are you two going to give me a great-grandchild?"

Ethan and I stiffened at the same time.

I pulled my hand back first. Under Ethan's shocked gaze, I said, "Grandpa, Ethan and I..."

"Chloe," Ethan interrupted quickly, turning to Grandpa with a forced smile. "Don't worry, Grandpa. We're working on it."

Grandpa laughed heartily.

But the moment we were cleared, Ethan dragged me into the backyard garden. His face was dark, radiating frustration.

"What were you trying to do back there?"

"Tell Grandpa the truth. That we're getting a divorce, and there won't be any kids," I said flatly.

His lips thinned into a harsh line.

"Why do you keep bringing up divorce? Didn't we agree to move past this? Chloe, can you stop throwing tantrums?"

I looked at him, genuinely puzzled.

"Since we hate each other so much, why don't you just marry Lily? Isn't that what you want?"

His breath hitched. "Hate? I never—"

"Ethan!"

Lily's voice interrupted us from the pathway, making the air even tenser.

She walked up, biting her lip, looking incredibly pitiful.

"Chloe, please don't use Grandpa to threaten me."

I frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Lily looked like she was about to burst into tears.

"Are you going to tell Grandpa that I ruined your marriage?"

"You know Grandpa's heart is weak."

"I can't let anything happen to him, so I'll leave Ethan. Is that what you want? Is that your plan?"

I stared at her, completely dumbfounded.

Then, a wave of sheer absurdity washed over me. I let out a mocking laugh.

"You've been watching too many soap operas, Lily."

Who would actually fall for such cheap drama?

"Chloe."

Ethan's heavy voice cut in. "Is this true? Are you threatening her again?"

My jaw tightened.

He believed her...

I wanted to defend myself, but looking at the doubt and accusation in his eyes, the words died in my throat.

Finally, I just said, "Believe whatever you want."

I turned and walked away, not caring about the complicated look on his face.

In my earpiece, my younger self whispered, "Don't be sad."

My nose tickled with unshed tears.

"I'm not. So, Chloe... when the surgery is over and he proposes to you in your timeline, do not say yes."

This time, she answered without a second of hesitation. "I won't. I promise."

I let out a breath of relief.

A little later, after Grandpa cut the cake and went upstairs to rest, the relatives at the table stopped pretending.

Cousin Jessica sneered openly. "Honestly, some people are so pathetic. Someone practically invades their home, and they still sit there like a quiet little mouse."

"Oh, come on, look at who Lily is. She's Ethan's absolute favorite."

I listened to it all.

My hand tightened around my fork, then slowly released it. I looked up with a cold smile.

"If you're so brave, Jessica, why are you still acting blind to the secret kid your husband has with his secretary?"

Her face turned instantly pale. "You! Chloe! That's family business, none of your concern!"

I shot back, "Then my marriage is none of yours."

She choked on her words.

The table fell into an awkward silence.

Ethan spoke up, his voice cold. "Chloe, that was uncalled for."

I looked at him.

Only then did I notice that his tie perfectly matched Lily's dress.

His stance was clear. That was why these people felt they had the right to humiliate me.

The last bit of fight left my body. I set my fork down and whispered, "Ethan, of all people, you have the least right to judge me."

His breath caught.

I stood up and left the table. The tears I had been holding back finally spilled over the moment I stepped out of the estate.

The tears fell like rain, and I couldn't wipe them away fast enough.

The estate was far from the city. I walked alone down the dark, cold road. I had never felt so lonely.

I looked up at the sky. The moon was bright, but I felt absolutely no warmth.

Just then, a choked voice came through my earpiece.

"Chloe... Ethan is back with the doctor."