Chapter 3

Tomorrow was my birthday.

In the early days, Ethan would plan elaborate surprises.

As the years went on, the grand gestures faded, but we would still go to a nice restaurant or spend the day at an amusement park.

But this year, I wanted nothing.

"Just staying home."

Ethan nodded abstractedly, his eyes glued to his phone.

He was texting furiously on Snapchat, a stupid grin plastered on his face.

I ignored him. Earlier that day, Dr. Vanessa Campbell, a professor I deeply respected during my PhD, had reached out.

She had a research project that aligned perfectly with my field and invited me to join her institute.

She had invited me multiple times before, but I had always politely declined.

Because her institute was on the other side of the country in sunny California, far away from the life Ethan and I had built in New York.

I sat at my computer, researching Dr. Campbell's project.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ethan take a quick call and rush out the door.

When I woke up the next morning, his side of the bed was cold. He hadn't come home all night.

Without his constant criticism and belittling, the apartment felt incredibly peaceful. I hummed a tune as I drove to NYU.

The main hall was decorated with banners and lights. It was the university's 70th anniversary, and many alumni had returned to visit.

Suddenly, I heard a familiar, high-pitched voice nearby.

"A student just mistook me for a freshman! Do I really look that young, Ethan?"

I turned around. Madison was clinging to Ethan's arm, and Ethan was playfully pinching her nose.

It hit me then. He hadn't asked about my plans to celebrate my birthday. He was just making sure I wouldn't run into him while he paraded his crush around my workplace.

They spotted me. Madison immediately tightened her grip on Ethan's arm and smiled smugly. "Oh, Chloe! What a coincidence."

"I heard you teach here. A PhD, huh? How impressive."

Ethan sneered beside her.

"Impressive? She's just a boring nerd. She's useless outside of books—just a plain Jane."

"Well, Chloe, you should really try wearing some makeup. They say a beautiful woman is the only one who can keep a man's heart," Madison said, her words dripping with malice.

I kept my face expressionless, ignoring them completely. I just wanted to get to my office.

Suddenly, the overhead lights flickered and went out.

The entire hall plunged into darkness.

The crowd immediately panicked, and Madison let out a dramatic shriek of terror.

I stood perfectly still. There was construction on campus; it was probably just a minor power outage.

But suddenly, a heavy figure rammed violently into me.

I was knocked hard onto the concrete floor, a searing pain exploding in my right shoulder.

A second later, the backup generators kicked in, and the lights flickered back on.

Ethan, who had been standing next to me, was now holding Madison tightly in his arms. There was no one else near us.

Seeing me on the floor, a flash of panic crossed Ethan's face.

"Chloe... I was in a rush. I must have accidentally bumped into you."

My right arm throbbed as if it had been run over by a truck. Cold sweat broke out on my forehead, and I bit my lip to keep from crying.

When I didn't answer, Madison chimed in:

"Chloe, Ethan didn't mean to. You should forgive him."

Ethan grew impatient.

"I already apologized! What more do you want? It was an accident. Do you have to be so immature in front of Madison?"

"Besides, you were the one standing in the middle of the hallway. You should have moved when the lights went out."

I didn't say a word. I grabbed my bag, clutched my shoulder, and walked out. Only when I stepped out of the building did I let my tears fall.

During those few seconds of darkness, I had felt a brief moment of peace, as if all my problems had vanished.

But the man who brutally shoved me aside just to protect another woman shattered that illusion completely.

I went straight to our apartment, packed my bags—my plain clothes, toiletries, and piles of research papers.

I sent Ethan a Snapchat message ending things, blocked him on every platform, and drove out of the city.