Chapter 3

I smiled, saying nothing.

After dinner, Ethan got up to do the dishes.

Hailey and I sat on the couch watching TV.

She curled up on the corner cushion, completely relaxed, as if this were her own living room.

Glancing down, my eyes landed on her wrist.

She was wearing a delicate silver moon bracelet.

On my right wrist was an identical one.

Ethan had given it to me the night he confessed his feelings.

He told me he spent weeks searching for it, that it matched my vibe perfectly.

He swore it was a custom limited edition—only one was made, just for me.

I had been so touched that I hadn't taken it off since.

And now, sitting right next to me, another woman was wearing the exact same piece.

"Hailey, that bracelet is gorgeous."

I lifted my wrist, placing it right beside hers.

"Look, we match."

Hailey looked down. Her expression froze for a fraction of a second.

Then her mask slid back on.

"Wow, what a coincidence." She laughed awkwardly, pulling her hand away.

"Ethan told me this was a custom piece, one of a kind, bought exclusively for me," I said, locking eyes with her.

"Seems like my husband is exceptionally generous to you."

Hailey’s smile strained at the edges.

"Chloe, please don't overthink it. Ethan and I are purely friends."

She sat up straight, her voice dripping with earnestness.

"If my presence makes you feel insecure, I can stop hanging out with him altogether."

Every single time.

Whenever I showed the slightest hint of discomfort, she pulled this exact card.

*If it makes you uncomfortable, I'll cut him off.*

She always sounded so generous, so considerate.

Yet the calls and hangouts never stopped.

And every time she said it, she made me feel petty and neurotic for even bringing it up.

"Don't worry about it," I said, pulling my arm back with a light chuckle.

"It's totally normal for close friends to exchange gifts."

Hailey didn't reply. She just picked up her water glass and took a sip.

The faucet in the kitchen stopped running. Ethan walked out, drying his hands with a towel.

"Hailey, let me drive you home. It's getting late."

Hailey instinctively looked at me.

"No need, Chloe might get jealous," she joked casually.

"Not at all. Let him give you a ride," I replied with a smile.

Ethan grabbed his car keys. As he reached the front door, he suddenly turned back to me.

"Did you say something weird to her again?"

He frowned, a touch of annoyance in his voice.

"Stop being paranoid, Chloe. She just came over for dinner."

"I didn't say anything," I lifted my wrist, the silver charm catching the light.

"I just noticed her bracelet matched mine and mentioned how wild the coincidence was."

Ethan’s face went rigid.

He opened his mouth, stammered for a beat, and finally said, "I bought that for her birthday a while back. I didn't know what to get, so I picked up the same one."

He fired off the excuse rapidly, as if he had rehearsed it beforehand.

"Anyway, I'm taking her downstairs."

He opened the door and walked out. Hailey followed, turning around to wave at me.

"Bye, Chloe!"

The door shut.

I picked up my phone and opened the flight app.

The earliest flight out tomorrow morning was at 6:15 AM.