Chapter 7

By the time I came back to my senses and wanted to chase after them, they had already disappeared.

I didn't want to give up.

I wanted to see him one more time.

Whether he had amnesia or was just pretending.

At least confirm it was him, let his parents know that Ethan Parker was still alive in this world.

I hadn't managed to get his contact information. The only connection I had with him was "Nightshade".

So I resorted to the most foolish method.

I went to stake out "Nightshade".

I saw him again.

This time he was smoking with a group of men, surrounded by three or four tough-looking guys.

I suddenly felt intimidated, not daring to approach.

But I was spotted by that same man from last time.

He suddenly grinned, gesturing towards me to Ethan Parker.

Ethan Parker turned his head, giving me a cold glance. Immediately after, that woman from before appeared again.

His expression changed in an instant, a hint of a smile curling his lips as he reached out to pull the woman into his arms by her waist.

The woman nestled obediently against him.

I stood in the corner, watching as the whole group walked into a private room, laughing and chatting.

In that split second, I caught the woman's backward glance filled with threatening intent.

Like a rose laced with poison.

Cold sweat soaked through my clothes as I leaned against the wall, gasping for breath.

7

It wasn't until I splashed some water on my face in the restroom

That I seemed to find a bit of reality in the chaos.

He wasn't Ethan Parker.

Yet he was Ethan Parker.

Ethan Parker was like the sun in the sky, always gentle, always passionate.

But the year and more he had been missing was like an insurmountable chasm, so divisive.

The restroom door suddenly opened.

In the mirror, a young and alluring face appeared behind me.

Her wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders. Her makeup was too heavy, like an elaborately painted mask.

It was that woman from before.

She raised an eyebrow.

"It's you "

A flash of surprise crossed her expression.

I turned around, meeting her gaze directly.

The woman walked towards me in her 5-inch heels, looking down at me condescendingly.

"Stay away from him."

Her gaze fell to my chest, with the same disdain and contempt as Ethan Parker's.

"Did you really think someone like you would catch his eye "

She curled her lip in a scornful, haughty smile.

As if mocking me for overestimating myself.

But I only latched onto that name in her words, the illusory and the real seeming to intersect in that moment. I felt like I had found an outlet for my overwhelming emotions.

"What did you call him "

My voice was a bit hoarse. She seemed not to have heard clearly.

"What's his name "

"You just called him Ethan—"

I stared into her eyes, like a drowning person grasping at the last straw, my voice choked with tears as I demanded:

"Tell me—"

"Who is he "

Is he, is he Ethan Parker

The familiar name got stuck in my throat. In the end I couldn't say it out loud.

The person before me was startled by my reaction. She reached out and shoved me hard.

A dull, heavy thud echoed in the small space as I fell to the ground.

The dirty water on the floor soaked through my once-clean clothes, but I paid it no mind.

This woman called Sophia grabbed my collar, leaning in close.

The sickening smell of her overly sweet perfume mixed with a nauseating odor.

"You don't even know who he is, little girl."

"Let me give you some advice - stay away from him."

"Otherwise—"

"You might end up dead somewhere and no one would even know."

The last words floated lightly in the air, but felt like sharp ice piercing my heart.

Before she finished speaking, the door was suddenly flung open.

The subject of our conversation burst in, out of breath. When he saw me on the ground, I clearly saw his already irritated expression turn even colder.

But it was only for an instant. He pulled Sophia by the waist, taking out a wad of cash and expertly tucking it into her bra with a suggestive smile: "I won't be needing you tonight."

"I'm in the mood to try something new."

I saw Sophia's face change instantly as she started to protest: "No..."

But Ethan Parker cut her off with a fierce look: "Get lost."

Sophia was taken aback for a moment. She glanced back at me, but I couldn't make out her expression against the light.

She quickly turned back, taking off her high heels and hurrying out.