Chapter 2

I couldn't take it anymore and stood up.

My eyes reddened the moment I lifted my head.

"Enough!"

Whispers started around the room.

"Megan's usually so devoted to Ethan, what's gotten into her today?"

"Ethan did go too far this time. That was really disrespectful. Even the most patient person has limits."

Ethan frowned at me, his tongue pressing against his cheek.

Like he couldn't find an outlet for his frustration.

"What, all grown up now? Don't need your big brother anymore?!"

I laughed bitterly, finding it absurd.

Ethan took several deep breaths.

His next words stabbed straight into my heart.

"Come on, it's just a few photos. What's the big deal?"

"When that thing happened to you back then, you weren't this worked up."

"I'm probably the only one who'd put up with your princess attitude."

He glanced at me.

Snickers erupted around us.

Followed by mocking laughter.

I raised my head, looking at the young man whose lips curved in a half-smile, his eyes dark and unreadable.

Ethan and I grew up together.

My parents were rarely around, leaving me to live with my grandmother who had a bad leg.

In kindergarten, he'd hold my hand walking to and from school, patting his chest with promises.

"I'm here, don't be scared!"

In middle school, when some thugs surrounded me and tried to strip my clothes off, Ethan grabbed a brick and charged at them like his life didn't matter, fighting them until his head was bleeding.

After driving them away, he cried and blamed himself while holding me in my torn clothes, saying he was useless and hadn't protected me.

But when did things change?

I tried to remember.

It was probably freshman year, when I was voted campus beauty and received countless love letters and gifts.

That day Ethan flew into a rage and made his first "joke" about me.

"When you guys send her love letters, do you know she was molested by several guys back in middle school?"

At his words, the boys who'd brought me gifts all showed disgust, cursed, and took their gifts back.

But Ethan just laughed it off: "See? They were just joking around."

After that, no other guys came near me.

And he never said another kind word, growing more and more fond of making jokes at my expense.

I suppressed the grief threatening to overflow and faced Ethan's mocking, making my decision.

"I won't depend on you anymore. I'm not taking the job at your company either. Let's break up."

My voice was flat, without a ripple of sadness.

Ethan's hand suddenly clenched, his face darkening.

He came around to face me, his smile flattening.

"Say that again."

"What are you throwing a tantrum about now? You fought tooth and nail to join my company just to break up with me?"

"Don't think you can mess with me just because I spoil you!"

With that, he stormed off angrily.

Seeing him leave, the others trickled out as well.

Only Liam and I remained.

He pursed his lips to comfort me. "Megan, don't be sad. You're not what he says. You're wonderful."

Only then did I look at him with moist eyes, murmuring.

"I'm not sad anymore."

After leaving the private room, I called my dad.

"Are you sure about this? If you go abroad, you won't be able to come back for years."

"Yes, I'm sure. But please don't tell anyone about this, including Uncle Ethan's family."

"Don't worry. There's a flight to London in two days. Get ready."

After hanging up, I looked at my chat history with Ethan.

Swipe left. Delete.

Walking out of the restaurant lobby, I discovered it was pouring rain.

Of course I hadn't brought an umbrella, and my phone was dead.

Just then, Ethan's car pulled up in front of me. The window rolled down, revealing his face and Chloe's.