Chapter 2

The instant I opened the door, the intimate atmosphere inside came to an abrupt halt.

Ethan's movements froze.

When he saw it was me, he withdrew his hand from the woman's body.

"What brings you here today?"

A strong arm wrapped around my shoulders, turning my gaze elsewhere.

I knew he was protecting that woman.

My eyes stung with tears.

With a sharp smack, I slapped Ethan's hand away and stubbornly turned my head, finally getting a clear look at the woman.

Crimson lips, dressed in red—she was like a gorgeous rose, beautiful but thorny.

I knew her.

Vivian Lee, who'd joined the company just three months ago and became Ethan's personal secretary last month.

People had already reported to me that Ethan had been treating a young woman very specially lately.

Back then, I firmly believed that Ethan, who cherished me like his own life, would never betray me.

But before long, more and more incidents reached my ears.

Until a friend sent me a video of Ethan beating someone up.

In the chaos, I still heard it clearly.

Someone had been making toasts, and when it was Vivian's turn, she refused to drink.

The person said a few unpleasant things, and Ethan went crazy.

That night I sat alone until late, waiting for him to come home.

Under my interrogation, Ethan explained that it just reminded him of the past.

Back when Ethan and I got together, he lost his family's support.

To secure investments, I accepted everyone who came, drinking until I had a stomach hemorrhage.

Even when people said disgusting things, I still had to smile and apologize.

"Lana, do you know how much it hurt me to watch you smile and apologize to those people for my sake?"

"I just saw her as you from back then."

"I should have done this long ago!"

Hot tears slid down my neck.

Held in Ethan's embrace, I trembled for a moment, my emotions in chaos, with no energy left to dwell on it.

Until I accidentally learned that the friend who sent me the video had been badly dealt with, and the assistant who'd reported things to me had been fired.

That's when I knew—Ethan had really fallen for her.

"Miss Anderson, long time no see."

"I was just giving Mr. Foster a report."

"Got a bit close."

"I hope you don't misunderstand."

"I'll go back to work now."

Vivian wore a proper smile on her face, but her eyes were full of provocation.

Before leaving, she thoughtfully closed the door.

"When did you arrive?"

Faced with Ethan's probing question, I got straight to the point.

"When you were biting her earlobe."

The man who'd always presented himself as gentle in front of me showed a cold expression for the first time.

"Wouldn't it be better to pretend you didn't know?"

"You've always been smart."

"Why are you being foolish now?"

He sighed, his tone full of annoyance.

Annoyed that I didn't follow his wishes and pretend nothing had happened.