Chapter 4

I raised my head and stared at Ethan for a long moment.

Those eyes that once held so much love now contained only impatience and disgust.

Splitting apart the gentle image in my memory.

When I first met him, I was the notorious spoiled heiress of our social circle.

Everyone said I was destined to die alone.

That even for an arranged marriage, no upper-class son could tolerate my temper.

Only Ethan.

Back then he was just a fledgling lawyer, standing firmly in front of me.

"Don't listen to them. The way you love and hate so fiercely---it's beautiful."

"I'll spend my whole life protecting your pride."

For that promise, I didn't hesitate to break with my family to marry beneath my station.

I stood by him from having nothing to becoming today's top attorney.

But later, when I kept crying and making scenes over Rachel, he finally grew tired of me.

"Tara, when will you finally fix that domineering personality of yours? It's so annoying."

All my breakdowns and tears were nothing but unreasonable tantrums in his eyes.

Remembering the past, sourness welled up in my nose. I'd never felt so wronged.

"Ethan, did you really buy this plush toy?"

His eyes flickered with panic for an instant, his voice unconsciously rising.

"There are tons of similar plush toys out there! Do you have to imagine that the whole world is targeting you before you'll be satisfied?"

Rachel stood behind him, a provocative smile playing at her lips, though her voice was aggrieved:

"Ethan, forget it. Since Tara insists, I'll give it to her. Even though this was a gift from you, I don't want you two fighting over a toy..."

"Don't give it to her!"

Ethan looked at me coldly. "Tara, don't forget that Nina's ashes are still at the funeral home. If you keep making trouble, I don't mind making her disappear forever!"

My whole body trembled.

My nails dug hard into my palms.

Ethan was a man who meant what he said.

I closed my mouth and said nothing more.

After this incident, to appease Rachel, Ethan decided to throw a small gathering at home.

"Tomorrow is Rachel's birthday. I've invited some colleagues and friends over to celebrate. Since you're home with nothing to do anyway, you can handle the food and decorations."

I was dazed for a moment.