Chapter 2

I stood up, sliding my bag over my shoulder.

"Stay and enjoy your night."

He looked at me for two seconds, didn't push it, and said, "Alright. Text me when you get home."

I nodded, avoiding his eyes, and walked out.

I knew they had an afterparty planned—probably drinks at a nearby lounge. Ethan had mentioned it in passing earlier.

I didn't turn down his ride out of consideration. I turned it down because I literally didn't know how to look at his face right now.

The second I stepped into the hallway, the blast from the air conditioning hit me, making me shiver.

The corridor was long, the lighting dim, the carpet so plush it muffled every step.

I walked fast, desperate to get away from that room.

Just as I reached the glass exit doors, a voice called out behind me: "Claire!"

I stopped and turned around.

It was the young coworker, jogging toward me.

She caught up, slightly out of breath, her cheeks flushed pink from the wine.

She was half a head shorter than me. Looking up, her eyes held an expertly measured dose of apology.

"Claire, please don't misunderstand,"

she said, her voice dripping with sweetness.

"Ethan is my manager. He just looks out for everyone on the team. I almost passed out from terrible cramps this morning, and Ethan happened to see it. That's the only reason he knew."

"He's just that kind of guy—nice to everyone. Please don't overthink it."

She sounded so sincere, her expression entirely innocent, as if she were merely explaining a harmless misunderstanding.

I looked at her, smiled faintly, and said, "It's fine. I'm not overthinking anything."

I looked down, opening my Uber app, and then—my gaze froze.

Around her wrist was a delicate silver chain, holding a tiny star charm.

It was identical to the one on my wrist.

Subconsciously, my fingers brushed against my own arm.

Ethan had given it to me for my birthday last year. He told me it was custom-made, one of only two in the entire world—one for me, and one for him to keep.

A matching set. So that even when we were apart, we could always feel connected.

Back then, I had been so moved that I posted it on my Ins.

Now it seemed crystal clear: one was on my wrist, and the other was on hers.

I couldn't even remember the last time I saw the matching bracelet on Ethan's wrist.

"My car's here,"

I said, forcing another smile.

"I'm taking off. Have fun tonight."

She waved cheerfully. "Get home safe, Claire!"

I pulled the door open, slid into the back seat, and as I shut the door, my eyes naturally drifted to the side mirror.

I saw Ethan walking out through the lobby doors. He was moving fast, his suit jacket already off, leaving only his crisp white dress shirt.

He draped that very jacket over the girl's shoulders.

She tilted her head up, saying something to him. He looked down, smiled, and gently ruffled her hair.

In the rearview mirror, their silhouettes grew smaller and smaller, until they merged into a single speck, vanishing into the glittering city night.