Chapter 5

That evening, Ethan brought me home.

"Drink some hot water." He sat down beside me, concern seemingly overflowing from his eyes.

If only Vivian Song weren't there.

I found it absurd.

He went to the balcony to take a call. I don't know what the person on the other end said, but he glanced at me.

That's when Vivian Song spoke up.

"Still not leaving him?"

I looked up at her. Her eyes were mocking.

"Honestly, I've never seen anyone debase themselves more than you."

"You should know he's loved me from the very beginning. Even those three times he humiliated you were just because I asked him to."

Hearing that, I found it laughable.

"And what about you? No matter who Ethan loves, at least he and I have a marriage certificate."

"What gives you the right to lord it over me?"

Vivian Song raised an eyebrow and suddenly laughed out loud.

I was confused.

But I had an ominous feeling.

She glanced at the man on the balcony with his back to us, then suddenly leaned close to my ear.

"So you still don't know."

My lips flattened. My fingers unconsciously tightened on my sleeve.

"Know what?"

She said softly, yet her words landed like a crushing blow.

"Your marriage certificate is fake. It was just something Ethan used to placate you."

"What did you say?" My voice was hoarse.

Vivian Song pulled out her phone, opened the marriage registry system, and checked her marital status.

Then she held it in front of my face with cold mockery. "Open your eyes wide and look."

My stiff gaze turned toward it.

In the spouse column, it clearly showed: Ethan Reed!

My mind went blank.

Everything was so absurd I couldn't accept it.

My eyes glazed over.

I turned around and looked at the man on the balcony, suddenly laughing bitterly.

"So it was all fake."

Soon after, he hung up and came back inside.

Seeing my expression, he frowned and reached up to touch my forehead.

"What's wrong? Still not feeling well? Why is your face so pale?"

I instinctively stepped back. His hand hung in the air.

Ethan's fingers froze.

"Rest well. The wedding is in three days."

Three days later, early in the morning, Ethan wheeled a wedding dress into the master bedroom, gently ruffling my hair.

"Take a look at the dress first. It's too heavy, so you'll put it on at the banquet hall. We'll go together."

I turned my face away, avoiding his touch.

"I'm not feeling well. You go ahead."

He hesitated for a moment but nodded. "Alright. The ceremony officially starts at noon."

Watching his retreating figure, my eyes were full of mockery.

I tore up all the photos of us in the house, scattering them everywhere.

Thinking of the gift I'd prepared for him at the wedding venue, I laughed coldly.

After venting, I removed my SIM card and left without looking back.

At the same time, at the wedding venue, Ethan's mother looked extremely displeased.

"Son, what were you thinking? Are you really holding a wedding with her and spending your life together?"

"What about Vivian?"

Ethan's heart felt inexplicably heavy, as if something was suspended high above, unable to settle.

"Yeah, it's decided. I'll make things work with Haley. As for the marriage certificate issue, I'll handle it without her knowing."

He glanced at the time and asked his assistant.

"Go check if Mrs. Reed has arrived yet."

The assistant was about to turn around when the hotel manager burst in, face pale and gasping for breath.

"Mr. Reed, something's happened..."

Ethan's heart sank, his expression instantly darkening like storm clouds. "Speak clearly!"

The manager's voice trembled with fear.

"The bridal dressing room... You'd better go see for yourself..."

Ethan's eyes shook.

His usually composed face now looked like a storm was approaching.

He rushed out and pushed the door open with trembling hands.

When he saw what was before him, his breathing stopped.