Chapter 5

Lily's POV

Hearing her voice, Ethan quickly composed himself and dropped his hands from my shoulders.

Noticing this, I couldn't help but curl my lips mockingly.

Reaching us, Vivian's gaze swept between us before she asked curiously, "Ethan, aren't you going to introduce us?"

Ethan frowned, his Adam's apple bobbing. He said somewhat unnaturally, "This is... Lily. My work colleague."

Hearing his introduction, I found it absurd and laughable.

Four years of shared hardship, four years of unreserved devotion. In his mouth, it all became just "work colleague."

Ethan avoided my gaze and turned to ask Vivian, "Why did you come out?"

Vivian said coquettishly, "I saw you run out and thought something happened. I wanted to check on you."

As she spoke, she naturally linked her arm through Ethan's.

Ethan's body stiffened. He glanced at me hesitantly, his lips moving slightly as if wanting to say something.

But I didn't give him the chance. Without looking back, I turned and left.

After leaving the bar, I didn't return to the penthouse. Instead, I went to the shabby apartment where Ethan and I had lived together for four years.

Using my key to open the door, the scent of old times washed over me.

This small apartment wasn't large. Only about 500 square feet, one bedroom and a living room. But it was filled with our difficult yet sweet memories.

I remembered once when Ethan hugged me from behind, resting his chin on my head, and said softly, "Lily, I'm sorry you have to live here with me. In the future, I'll give you the best of everything in the world."

Later, when the AI system we developed together launched and achieved great success in the industry, helping Ethan make his comeback, he asked what reward I wanted. I only asked for this apartment.

Because this apartment held special meaning for me.

So Ethan bought it, and I kept the key.

Now it seemed that meaning was just a mocking joke.

I curled up on the small, old sofa in the living room all night. This was my last time reminiscing about our past.

The next day, I contacted a real estate agent and listed the apartment.

"The price is negotiable. My only requirement is completing the transfer as quickly as possible."

"Understood, Lily."

The agent was efficient and came quickly to photograph and appraise the property.

After finishing, I locked the apartment door and came downstairs to see an unexpected figure.

Vivian leaned against a white sports car, apparently waiting for some time.

I had no desire to see her and was about to leave when Vivian suddenly called out to me. "I heard you and Ethan lived here for four years, so this apartment must mean a lot to you, right?"

I stopped and slowly turned to face her. "What do you want?"

Vivian lowered her head, gently stroking the ring on her finger. Her expression was triumphant. "Even though you and Ethan went through a lot together, unfortunately, I'm the one he's marrying. We'll be starting wedding preparations soon."

"Congratulations then," I answered coldly. "I wish you both happiness. If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."

"Lily, you never expected this, did you? You stayed with him through four years of hardship, but you still lost to me."

My chest ached in waves, but I suddenly laughed. My laughter sounded so cold.

"You've loved stealing from me since we were children. Stealing my man as an adult. What's so surprising? After all, you and your mother Jade are alike. You both love stealing other people's men."

Seeing Vivian's sudden rage, I found it deeply ironic.

Ethan never knew that the Lynn family's true heir wasn't Vivian-it was me.

After my mother died, my father Victor Lynn brought Vivian and her mother into our home to live with us. Vivian had always loved competing with me for everything, and Victor constantly favored Vivian, forcing me to yield again and again.

So when I came of age, I changed my surname, severed ties with the Lynn family, and moved out.

"Vivian, picking up my leftovers and being so proud of it-doesn't that disgust you?"

After my sarcastic remark, I turned to leave.

"Stop right there! What do you mean, your leftovers?" Vivian, enraged, rushed over and grabbed me. "You couldn't compete with me-you lost to me!"

I looked at her disdainfully. "I lost to you?"

Vivian gritted her teeth and suddenly sneered coldly. "This time, I'll make you lose even more thoroughly!"

Suddenly, before I could react, Vivian grabbed my hand and pushed herself backward.

Then Vivian stumbled back, her back hitting the stairway steps hard, and she let out a painful scream.

To any onlooker, it would clearly appear that I'd violently pushed her to the ground.

"Vivian!!!"