Chapter 2

Our friends, who had been cheering moments ago, were now completely stunned.

Nina showed a hint of smugness.

I smiled wryly. "Fine. Whatever makes you happy."

With that, ignoring his surprised look, I turned and headed home.

Five years. I'd lost count of how many times Ethan had put me in embarrassing situations for Nina's sake.

At 3 AM, Ethan came home.

As the birthday boy, he naturally had to stay out with his friends until dawn.

He stumbled into the bedroom and hugged me tightly from behind, reeking of alcohol. His voice was slurred but placating: "Sophia, still awake... I'm sorry. It was my birthday. Everyone was there, and Nina was crying like that. I couldn't just embarrass her. I swear, first thing tomorrow morning I'll take you to buy the biggest, shiniest diamond ring to make it up to you. From now on, I won't care about anyone but you, okay?"

I closed my eyes. I didn't struggle or respond.

I just listened to his breathing gradually even out, my heart like a completely dried-up well.

The next morning, just after seven o'clock.

A piercing phone ringtone shattered the bedroom's silence.

Ethan groggily pressed answer. Nina's sobbing voice immediately came through.

"Ethan, my boyfriend broke up with me! He dumped me! He said I came home too late from your birthday party last night. He said I have no shame... Ethan, I feel terrible. Now I have no one to go to tomorrow's concert with... I feel like life isn't worth living. I want to jump off the building..."

Ethan, who'd been half-asleep, instantly jolted awake and sprang up from the bed.

He hurriedly pulled on clothes while anxiously comforting her on the phone: "Nina, don't do anything stupid! If no one will go to the concert with you, I'll go with you! Where are you? I'm coming right now!"

He hung up quickly and turned to grab his car keys.

When he met my calm gaze, he paused briefly, but anxiety quickly took over. "Nina's in trouble. Her boyfriend broke up with her because of last night. She's having a breakdown right now. I need to be there for her."

I sat on the bed, watching him so flustered he'd buttoned his shirt wrong, and asked quietly: "What about what you promised me last night?"

Ethan frowned, his tone carrying a hint of reproach: "Sophia, how can you worry about that at a time like this? This is life and death! We'll buy the ring next time. Just be understanding."

With that, he rushed out without looking back.

I watched the direction he'd left in and suddenly felt ridiculous.

I immediately pulled out my phone and canceled his registration on the concert ticket.

Then I posted the ticket code online.

[Rare front-row VIP ticket, original price.]

Less than a minute after posting, someone messaged me.

I didn't care who it was. I sold it immediately.