Chapter 3

Ethan didn't say a word.

His silence was a confession.

Hailey grew bolder, humming a tune while eating her dinner.

She even demanded that Ethan feed her.

Ethan indulgently cut a piece of steak and popped it into her mouth, scolding her softly:

"You little drunkard."

I sat there, unable to swallow a single bite.

My chest felt like it was being crushed in a vice; even breathing felt numb.

Hailey's words replayed over and over in my mind.

Suddenly, a piece of steak landed on my plate.

I looked up to see Ethan's warm, smiling eyes:

"One piece for each of you."

"Completely fair this time, right?"

I didn't answer. I just pushed the steak aside, sick to my stomach.

Ethan froze.

He finally realized that I was genuinely furious.

For the rest of the meal, he didn't touch Hailey once.

The silence stretched between us all the way to the car.

Even when Ethan bridal-carried Hailey into the front passenger seat—my designated seat—I didn't say a single word.

I didn't want to fight. I didn't want to scream.

Ten minutes into the drive, my phone buzzed violently.

It was an urgent message from work. A major flaw had been discovered in an international contract, and I needed to get to the office immediately to fix it.

The client was pushing hard. I typed out a quick reply saying I was on my way.

The moment I hit send, my screen went pitch black.

Dead battery.

I sighed and looked at the front seat.

"Drop me off at my office first."

Ethan glanced into the rearview mirror with a cold smirk:

"Finally decided to talk to me?"

I had zero energy to bicker with him. "Just drive faster. It's an emergency."

Ethan didn't reply, but he took the exit toward my office.

That sudden turn woke Hailey up.

She started whining and sobbing:

"Ethan... I want to go stargazing."

Ethan gently told her he would take her tomorrow, but she threw a tantrum.

"I miss Mom and Dad!"

"They must have turned into stars up in the sky. I want to go see them!"

It was pure drunken nonsense.

I couldn't stand it, but terrified Ethan would actually entertain her, I urged him:

"My company's contract is in jeopardy. I have to be there."

"Ethan, it's a multi-million-dollar deal. I can't afford to miss this!"

Ethan opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

The car kept moving forward, and I let out a breath of relief.

Until Hailey burst into tears again.

Then, Ethan called my name.

"Last Valentine's Day, I chose to stay with you instead of taking Hailey to the amusement park."

I froze.

Back then, I had demanded that Hailey stop tagging along on every single date.

I told him she was an adult.

She couldn't keep clinging to her foster brother forever.

It wasn't fair to me, and it looked inappropriate for her.

Ethan had reluctantly agreed and told her no.

But afterward, he gave me the cold shoulder for three entire days.

"You know fairness matters most to me," he said coldly.

"This time, I'm going to fulfill Hailey's wish and take her stargazing."

With that, he yanked the steering wheel.

My face slammed hard into the back of the front seat.

Sharp, blinding pain exploded across my nose and forehead.

Tears spilled over my cheeks. I screamed at him, my voice cracking:

"Then what about me?!"

Ethan's answer was pulling the car over to the curb.

"You're an adult, Elena."

"Learn to solve your own problems."

Before the words even faded, the car sped off, kicking up dust in my face.