Chapter 4

He instinctively frowned.

"Where are you going?"

"On a trip."

"A trip?"

He loosened his tie, as if he'd heard a joke.

"You've taken care of me for seven whole years without leaving home for a single day. You think you can actually leave?"

"Aria, if you think you can force me to give in this way, it won't work."

"I don't think I'm wrong, and I don't think Vivian and I did anything wrong. I've supported you for seven years. You should be more understanding by now."

I didn't speak or argue.

I just stuffed the 20-inch suitcase back into the closet.

The suitcase was light.

Just like this home I'd stayed in for seven years, this marriage I'd anticipated for seven years.

I'd thought it was full of blooming flowers.

But it was riddled with holes.

Only then did Ethan nod with satisfaction, a laugh escaping from his nose.

"Good that you understand."

"In this world, besides me, no one else can give you a home, a balcony for growing flowers. You should cherish your blessings."

These words were certain yet cold.

Mixed with an unfamiliar strawberry-milk scent on his collar, my heart throbbed with delayed pain.

"Remember, you're no longer the Aria Summers who shone on stage. You're just my nanny now, a woman I've taken care of who's become useless. Stop with these pointless acts. Behave, and I'll treat you well..."

The man's slightly cold words drifted through the sound of running water.

I couldn't hear clearly.

But it was enough.

He didn't know.

The suitcase I'd put back contained my travel documents and clothes.

I didn't leave, not because I couldn't bear to, but because I'd booked a flight for the day after tomorrow.

The next day, Ethan unexpectedly called me.

His tone was soft.

"Company gala. The business partners all want to meet you."

A laugh came through the phone.

"Come. I'll use this opportunity to propose."

My heart raced for a few seconds, then calmed down.

Not much excitement.

But I still agreed.

Not because I had any expectations, but for these seven years of wholehearted devotion, I wanted an answer.

That evening, he had someone deliver a pair of sapphire earrings to me.

And a black off-shoulder dress.

My favorite color.

My exact size.

My heart warmed slightly.

When the grand doors of the venue slowly opened for me and I walked step by step to the center of the crowd, I froze.

On the stage paved with flowers, Vivian stood at the center in a black diamond-studded off-shoulder dress.

Around her neck was an even larger sapphire necklace.

And Ethan was holding a ring, down on one knee.

Brilliant lights cast halos around them.

The clicking of cameras mixed with congratulations loud enough to shatter the ceiling.

Like a tsunami drowning me.

I should have felt sad.

But I didn't.

Only a sense of relief, as if things had turned out exactly as expected.