Chapter 3

Lily leaned into Ethan’s arms, the faintest trace of triumph flickering at the corner of her lips as she waited, waiting for Claire to break, to unravel, to lose control.

After all, that’s how it had always gone these past three years.

But this time, Claire was silent for a few seconds.

Then she lifted her head and met Ethan’s gaze.

There was no anger, no hysteria, and not even a hint of hurt.

Her eyes were calm, deep, still, like water with no bottom.

“Okay.” Just one word, soft but steady.

Then she turned and walked away, not sparing the couple another glance, heading straight for the master bedroom.

Her back was straight, composed, unyielding, like a spine that would rather break than bend.

Ethan froze.

He had imagined countless possibilities. She would cry. She would argue. She would demand to know how he dared.

He had even prepared his usual lines, “Stop making a scene.” and “Can’t you be more mature?”

But she did none of it.

She simply accepted it.

The sensation was like throwing a punch and hitting nothing.

An inexplicable irritation surged in his chest, tight and suffocating.

“Ethan…”

Lily sensed the shift immediately. She tugged gently at his sleeve, her voice laced with perfectly measured hurt. “Did I upset my sister? Maybe… I should just stay at a hotel?”

“Don’t say that.”

Ethan snapped back to himself at once, lowering his head to soothe her. His tone softened instantly, so different that it seemed like a completely different person “This is your home. What does she have to be upset about?”

“That’s just how she is. Don’t mind her.”

He wrapped an arm around Lily and led her upstairs, pushing open the door to the master bedroom.

Inside, Claire had already pulled out a suitcase.

She stood in front of the wardrobe, taking out her clothes one by one, folding them neatly and placing them inside. Her movements were unhurried, methodical, calm, as if she were simply packing for an ordinary trip.

Ethan stood at the doorway, watching. The irritation inside him only grew stronger.

He didn’t like this feeling.

Claire hadn’t been like this before.

The way she used to look at him. There had always been that careful dependence, that unmistakable love she could never quite hide.

Now, all of it was gone.

In her eyes, there was nothing left but emptiness, dead silence, hollow calm.

“Claire.”

He finally spoke, his voice low, edged with displeasure.

“What game are you playing now?”

Claire’s hands didn’t stop.

She continued folding, not even bothering to look up.

“Packing.” Claire’s voice was flat, without a single ripple. “Didn’t you tell me to move to the guest room?”

“….” Ethan was instantly choked silent, his expression darkening.

Claire seemed completely unaware. She went on slowly, even adding almost thoughtfully, “Do you want me to pack up your things too? Might as well clear the space, so Miss Lily won’t be bothered by them.””

“You—!”

Ethan’s anger surged straight to his head.

But in the next second, the suitcase had already clicked shut.

“Click.” The crisp sound of the suitcase locking echoed sharply through the room.

Claire pulled the suitcase past him, a chill wind was stirred up.

At the doorway, she suddenly stopped. She turned slightly and looked at Lily, who was half-hidden in Ethan’s arms, watching with open curiosity.

Claire’s lips curved just barely. A smile so faint it almost didn’t exist.

“Oh. Almost forgot to congratulate you.”

“You got what you wanted.”

“You’ve finally moved in.”

Lily peeked out from behind Ethan, her voice soft and trembling, her eyes glassy with tears.

“Sister, I’m sorry… this is all my fault…”

Claire didn’t respond. She didn’t even look at her.

She continued gathering what little still belonged to her.