Chapter 5

Rosie's POV

I used every ounce of strength to push the person on top of me away forcefully and shrank against the headboard.

Ryan frowned at me for two seconds, then raised an eyebrow.

"Still angry?"

He rubbed his temples, his manner identical to Ethan's. His alcohol-soaked voice was also indistinguishable.

If I hadn't heard that Ethan was staying pure for Vivian, I wouldn't be able to tell them apart at all.

He leaned in close again, hands braced behind me, our noses touching.

"I already explained today. If I had feelings for her, I wouldn't be marrying you."

Ryan moved to kiss me.

My eyes went wide. I jerked my head aside to dodge and started dry heaving.

I heaved until my eyes nearly cried, but still couldn't suppress it. I pushed the man away and rushed to the bathroom.

Ryan watched me, brow slightly furrowed, eyes flickering.

In the bathroom, I slid down the wall slowly and crouched on the floor.

Outside the door, Ryan's voice suddenly rang out.

"Did you guys hear that? This woman's dry heaving. Could she be pregnant?"

Immediately after came a chorus of stunned exclamations. One of the guys shouted loudly:

"Ryan, don't let this get out of hand. What if she clings to you when the truth comes out?"

My spine instantly stiffened, my limbs going cold.

I realized Ryan's phone had been on a call the whole time.

Vivian's voice followed into my ears.

"Ethan, Ryan, you're going too far..."

"Too far?"

Ethan's tone was ice cold.

"She's targeted you for so long. This is the punishment she deserves."

Vivian said worriedly:

"But what if Rosie really is pregnant?"

After a moment of silence, both men said in unison:

"Impossible!"

On the other end of the call, Ethan's voice was especially merciless.

"Even if she is, I won't let her keep it. Ryan, what do you say?"

Ryan's Adam's apple bobbed twice.

"Of course."

The next second, I opened the door and looked at him.

He quickly ended the call and stepped forward.

"What's wrong, Rosie? Why do you look so bad? Are you feeling unwell somewhere? You're not... pregnant, are you?"

I stared at him steadily, the corner of my mouth twitching.

"No. My stomach condition flared up."

Early the next morning, I went to the hospital for my follow-up appointment as scheduled.

I walked out of the hospital at noon. Ethan called, and immediately after, his car stopped at the hospital entrance.

He quickly got out and guided me to the passenger seat.

"Come on, let me take you to eat."

Silent the whole way, the smile never left Ethan's lips.

The song playing in his car was Vivian's favorite from our student days. Also the song I hated most.

As soon as we arrived at the restaurant, I saw Vivian and Ryan waiting for us.

Vivian pointed at the cake on the table.

"Rosie, yesterday I was out of line. This is a viral cake I specially stood in line to buy as an apology. You must try it."

At the table, Vivian kept bringing up stories from when the three of them were young.

"Ethan and Ryan have doted on me since we were little. Back then when we played house, they'd compete to be my groom!"

"Once I climbed a tree and couldn't get down. Ethan lay on the ground to be my cushion."

"In middle school when I was cornered by boys, Ethan and Ryan both got seriously injured protecting me and stayed in the hospital for ages."

Ethan and Ryan smiled along. The three chatted animatedly while only I remained silent.

But Vivian suddenly looked at me.

"Rosie, why aren't you talking? Do you have a problem with me?"

"I know we had some misunderstandings in college, but now that you're marrying Ethan, I hope we can become the best of friends."

Vivian raised her wine glass, lips curving as she looked at me.

I didn't move for a long time, nor did I look at her.

The next second, I clutched at the fabric on my chest, breathing rapidly and with difficulty.

On my arms, large patches of red hives appeared, vivid and alarming. I struggled to reach for my bag.

"You're having an allergic reaction?!"

Ethan jumped to his feet, reaching for my bag.

I have a severe peanut allergy. Though I'm usually very careful, I always kept an epinephrine pen in my bag in case of accidental ingestion and inability to get timely treatment. In critical moments it could save my life.

I'd already gotten the epinephrine pen.

Just then, Vivian's weak voice suddenly sounded.

"Ethan... I feel terrible..."

Her slender fingers clutched at the fabric on her chest as she fell backward, face pale.