Chapter 6

Lena POV

Ethan's hand froze in midair. Looking at my lifeless eyes, panic flashed in his gaze.

He glanced at the things by the trash bin, his tone softening slightly. "They're just some rulers and drawing boards. Tomorrow I'll have someone buy you the most expensive set as compensation. Stop being stubborn with me out here and go inside to shower."

"No need." I walked past him straight into the villa.

I returned to my bedroom, pulled out my suitcase, and packed only a few changes of clothes and important documents.

When I came downstairs with my suitcase, Ethan and Vivian were sitting on the living room sofa.

Seeing the suitcase in my hand, Ethan shot to his feet, his expression livid. "What are you doing?"

"Moving out." My tone was flat. "Since there's no place for me here anymore, I won't stay and be an eyesore."

"Lena!" Ethan rushed over in a few strides, pressing down hard on my suitcase, gritting his teeth. "Try taking one step out that door! You're moving out over some broken junk?"

I lifted my head and looked directly into his furious eyes.

"Ethan, I'm not throwing a tantrum." I gently pushed his hand away. "I truly don't want you anymore."

I moved to a budget hotel near the architecture firm.

The room was small, without floor-to-ceiling windows or soft wool carpets, but it gave me an unprecedented sense of relief.

After Ethan discovered I had really moved out, he was completely enraged.

He thought I was just deliberately playing games, thought I wouldn't last three days before coming back crying to apologize. But for three whole days, I sent no word.

On the fourth day, Ethan's call came through.

I looked at the name flashing on the screen and pressed answer.

"Where are you?" The man's voice suppressed his anger. "Get back here right now."

"I'm drawing the design for your wedding house." I tapped on my keyboard while responding in a flat tone. "The hotel is quiet. Good for work."

"Lena, stop using work as an excuse!" Ethan laughed coldly. "You think moving out will make me soften? I'm telling you, if you don't come back today, don't ever come back!"

"Okay." I agreed without hesitation.

Dead silence fell on the other end of the line. Ethan seemed not to have expected such a straightforward answer, his breathing growing heavier.

"Lena, you've got some nerve. Do you believe that with one word from me, you won't be able to work anywhere in the architecture industry!"

"As you wish."

I hung up directly and put my phone on silent.

I looked at the 3D modeling on my computer screen that was nearly complete. This was an extremely luxurious villa, every detail designed according to Vivian's preferences. Ostentatious. Ornate. Without a trace of the minimalist style I once loved.

This was the last cage I would design for Ethan.

My phone screen lit up with an incoming message.

The sender was Vivian.

In the photo was a messy bed, Ethan's sleeping profile, and Vivian's arm draped across his chest.

The caption read. "Lena, Ethan says he loves my body the most. Every night he holds me and says I'm his only woman. As for you, you're just a pitiful orphan he kept out of sympathy. Stop clinging desperately."

Looking at this deliberately provocative photo, my heart was surprisingly calm.

No anger, no jealousy, only deep exhaustion and relief.

I casually took a screenshot and replied. "Wishing you happiness. He's all yours."

After sending this message, I exported the last rendering and packaged it into a compressed file.

Three days until my flight to Paris.