Chapter 4

Serena POV

Ethan strode forward and grabbed my wrist. "Serena, why are you packing?"

I calmly closed the suitcase lid. "It's the change of seasons. I remembered I had some clothes pressed at the bottom of the case and wanted to take them out to air them."

Ethan stared at me suspiciously.

Seeing that I really didn't continue stuffing things inside, he relaxed slightly.

Ethan coughed and began to explain. "This morning Vivian got an emergency assignment. She has no experience and didn't know how to handle this kind of situation the first time. So I went with her. I didn't pick you up from the hospital. I'm sorry."

I waved my hand. "No need to apologize. She's your subordinate. Helping her is what you should do."

Ethan frowned. "You don't mind?"

I smiled, my tone relaxed. "This is your job. How could I mind your job?"

I was saying exactly what Ethan had always thought.

Ethan paused and tentatively said, "I have tomorrow off. Didn't you want to go to the amusement park? I'll take you."

I was stunned.

I'd mentioned the amusement park to him several times.

I grew up in an orphanage and had never been to an amusement park.

But every time I brought it up, Ethan either said he was busy or that it was a place only kids go to, too childish.

What was with him today?

I looked at him, confused.

Ethan cleared his throat and spoke again. "Vivian also wants to go. Let's have her come with us, then you two can play together."

So that's how it is.

Vivian wanted to go.

The one he really wanted to accompany was Vivian, right?

And I wasn't important.

I smiled. "That's fine."

The next day at the amusement park.

Vivian was like a bird let out of its cage, happily clinging to Ethan's arm.

She wanted to try everything.

The more thrilling and exciting the ride, the more excited she got.

But I only liked gentle rides. The carousel, the Ferris wheel, the slow little train.

Ethan looked at me with conflicted eyes.

I smiled unconcernedly and followed slowly behind. "You two go ahead. I'll rest."

When we reached a famous couple photo spot, Vivian pulled Ethan over to take pictures.

Ethan frowned. "Vivian, no."

Vivian pouted in dissatisfaction. "What's wrong with taking a picture? Are you afraid Serena will get angry? Serena, you're not that petty, are you?"

I acted as if I hadn't heard the provocation in her words at all, smiling carelessly. "Give me your phone. I'll take the picture for you."

Ethan's expression didn't look good.

But Vivian kept begging him, and he eventually smiled at her indulgently. "Just this once."

The two stood in front of the landmark. Vivian hugged Ethan's arm intimately.

The moment I pressed the shutter, Vivian suddenly rested her head on Ethan's shoulder.

Ethan's body stiffened, but he ultimately didn't push her away.

They looked very happy together. Tourists passing by praised them one after another. "This couple has such a good relationship."

Hearing this, Ethan's expression changed.

He walked up to me in a few steps. "Serena, don't listen to their nonsense. Vivian has been playful since she was little. She didn't mean it that way."

I shook my head, completely unbothered. "We're just here to have fun. As long as everyone's happy."

With that, I shoved the phone back into his hand and walked forward by myself.

I didn't even care about him taking couple photos with Vivian anymore.

Because I didn't care anymore.

Ethan caught up with me in a few steps.

He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something.

In the end, he only said, "I remember you wanted that ice cream up ahead. I'll go buy it for you."

With that, he turned and went to stand in line.

Vivian saw all of this from behind.

She stamped her foot in anger and quickly caught up with me.

"Serena," Vivian lowered her voice, but her lips curled with provocation. "You should know that he and I used to be a couple, right? If you don't believe me, he still has an old phone with photos of me and him together."

I just looked at her coldly.

No interrogation, no loss of composure, no surprise.

For some reason, Vivian became annoyed.

"Ethan is mine! My dad sacrificed himself to save him. He promised to take care of me."

"You'd better leave on your own! Otherwise, if he abandons you, don't say I didn't warn you!"