Chapter 3

Ethan had only proposed to me, but we had never registered our marriage, nor had we held a wedding.

Our relationship was neither legally recognized nor publicly celebrated.

In the past, I used to beg him for a real wedding, to give me a legal title. But my pleas were always met with his cold shoulders and silent treatment until I eventually stopped asking.

Just like that, I lived with him for five years without a title.

When I found out I was pregnant this year, I thought he would finally give our child a legitimate family. But then Amber came back, and the topic was buried again.

In Ethan’s heart, no one was more important than Amber.

Hearing me say we should call off the engagement, his face instantly darkened. "Chloe! Since when did you become so petty and narrow-minded?"

"Just because I stayed late at the office and didn't come home, you want to break up?"

"I work so hard every single day. If you can't help me with my business, can you at least show some understanding?"

Understanding?

Hadn't I been understanding enough?

During our five years of engagement, he lived like a king. He never had to lift a finger at home. I shielded him from every single domestic stress. I never asked questions I shouldn't ask, and I even used my father’s business connections to help his company grow.

What more did he want from me?

Seeing my eyes well up with tears, Ethan impatiently pulled a pair of earrings from his pocket and tossed them onto the coffee table. "Here. Take it as an apology for last night."

I stared at the earrings. They didn't even have a box.

What Ethan didn't know was that I had seen Amber wearing these exact earrings on her Instagram story.

He was handing me Amber's leftovers as charity.

At that moment, my heart completely died.

Thinking of my lost baby, a sudden wave of relief washed over me. Maybe it was destiny. Maybe my baby knew his father wouldn't love him, so he chose not to come into this miserable family.

Holding back my tears, I snatched the earrings and threw them right at Ethan's face. "What do you take me for, Ethan? Am I a trash can for Amber’s garbage?"

Ethan’s eyes widened in shock. He jumped up and roared, "Chloe! I’ve been way too nice to you! What the hell is your problem?"

"Yes! Amber was with me at the office last night! So what? She is my secretary. Isn't it normal for her to work late with me?"

"We were in a rush for a meeting, so I hung up on you. Afterward, she was even sweet enough to pick out a gift for me to bring back to you!"

"Why can't you be more like her? Instead, you stay at home all day, acting paranoid and crazy like a hysterical housewife!"

Ethan rarely got angry like this. Usually, he preferred silent treatment and cold shoulder. Silence was his weapon to make me submit.

But whenever Amber was involved, he lost his temper instantly. He couldn't stand anyone saying a single bad word about her.

"Since you think Amber is so perfect, then me leaving is just perfect, isn't it? I’m clearing the path for her."

Seeing how serious I was, Ethan kicked the coffee table in frustration. "Are you seriously doing this? You want to call off the engagement?"

I nodded. I didn't want to waste another second.

"Chloe! Have you forgotten how you begged me to be with you ten years ago? Who do you think you are to dump me?"

"Besides, you’re pregnant with my kid. If you leave me, who else is going to want a woman with baggage?"

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