Chapter 2

I took the afternoon off and got home before nightfall.

When I opened the door, the lights were on. Ethan, wearing an apron, was holding a bowl of hot soup.

He turned around when he heard the door open, smiling.

"You're back? Perfect timing, the food is almost ready. Go wash your hands, dinner will be served late."

Like nothing had happened.

I didn’t say anything. I just looked at the box on the table—a bag, delicate like a signal. He remembered my likes, but I felt empty inside.

He pushed the box toward me. "Open it, see, it's the color you wanted."

I didn’t move.

He noticed the shift in my mood, his tone turning gentle. "What’s wrong? Bad day?"

I stared at him, slowly speaking, "Your Instagram. Why did you block me?"

He froze. I continued, "I saw your wedding invitation. The venue looks beautiful. I wish you happiness. But I won’t be there."

His face froze. He reached out as if to grab me, but I dodged him.

"Julie, that wedding isn’t real," he lowered his voice. "You know Lily’s condition—she’s been taking her meds. Her parents asked me to be with her for a while."

I stared at him. "So, you're marrying her just because of her depression?"

He furrowed his brow. "I’m not marrying her. It’s just a formality. Once she’s stable, I’ll explain everything."

"Explain?" I scoffed, "The invitation, the wedding photos, how do you plan to explain those?"

His eyes were frantic. He reached for me. "Julie, just give me some time, okay? I’ll handle it."

I took a step back, my voice cold and terrifyingly calm. "Five years, Ethan. I don’t want to wait anymore."

He stayed silent for a few seconds before whispering, "You’re not thinking clearly. We can talk about this later."

Tears fell down my face. "I’m much calmer than that Luna."

His expression turned icy. "I don’t love her, you’re still my Luna."

I looked up at him. "From the beginning, you never intended to give me the title of Luna, did you?"

He stood up, his back to me. "You’re too emotional right now, Julie. What you said today, I won’t take it seriously. Let’s talk later."

He walked toward the door. I took a deep breath. "Tomorrow, I’ll change the locks. Don’t come back here again."

His hand paused on the doorknob, then he slammed the door shut and left.

I walked to the kitchen and dumped all the food into the trash.

The next morning, I arrived at company early.

There were plenty of people waiting by the elevator. I stood silently, my head down.

The next moment, familiar footsteps approached.

Ethan appeared. I quietly said, "Good morning."

He acted like he didn’t recognize me, nodding briefly as he entered the elevator without sparing me a second glance.

When the elevator doors opened, everyone went out.

I was about to follow when I suddenly heard him speak, "Julie, come to my office."

I froze for a second, then walked into his office under my colleagues’ curious stares.

The door closed behind us. He sat down and stared at me for several seconds before speaking slowly. "We’ve got a new project at the company. I’m thinking of making you the team leader. If you do well, you’ll get promoted to manager."

I forced a smile. "Thanks, but I’m not taking it."

I pulled out a printed resignation letter from my bag and handed it to him. "I wrote this last night. For personal reasons, I’ve decided to resign."

He took the resignation letter, staring at it without moving.

Then—he ripped it. Cleanly, swiftly, the paper torn into two.

"Julie! Stop making a scene!"