Chapter 3

"What do you mean by that?" Ethan's voice shot up, "That was our engagement ring!"

"What do you want me to say?" I replied flatly. "Should we send Chloe down the drain to get it back? Or just fire her?"

"I didn't mean to..." Chloe's tears started flowing.

Ethan's face darkened completely.

He stepped in front of Chloe, shielding her. "Emma, why are you being so aggressive? Losing the ring was an accident. I'll buy you a new one. No need to take it out on others."

"Fine." I nodded, not bothering to argue, and turned to head back to the bedroom, shutting out Chloe's sobs and Ethan's bewildered breaths.

A week later was our engagement anniversary.

In previous years, I would have planned a candlelit dinner two weeks in advance.

But this year, I boarded a train to Boston.

In this unfamiliar city, I successfully completed an interview for the Chief Operating Officer position at a software company. As I left the office building, I treated myself to a few brand-new professional outfits.

When I pushed open the door to our apartment late that night, the main light was off. Ethan sat alone on the large leather sofa, a cigar flickering between his fingers, the air heavy with tension.

"Where have you been?" he asked, displeased.

"Just out shopping," I replied casually, dropping the shopping bags by the entrance without even pausing to change my shoes.

"Emma, all you do is waste money. Can't you do something productive?"

I shot back, "Sorry, I won't be using your card anymore."

Ethan was momentarily speechless, and I didn't want to deal with him any longer, so I turned and went to the bedroom.

That night, before bed, he left a deep blue velvet box on my nightstand.

Inside lay a perfectly cut sapphire ring, its deep blue gleam both stunning and expensive.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the blinds onto the bed. I felt the mattress dip slightly as Ethan's breath came closer to my cheek. He wanted to kiss my forehead.

I closed my eyes and naturally rolled over.

Ethan's movements froze in mid-air.

Moments later, the bedroom door slammed shut.

Once I confirmed he had left for work, I threw off the covers and stuffed the expensive sapphire ring and its box into a brown paper bag. I contacted a private jeweler from Sotheby's for an appraisal.

This money would be my starting fund for a new life in Boston.

At 2 PM, the Manhattan sun was just right.

I sat in a café near Central Park across from my lawyer, Harvey, confirming the final details of the asset liquidation and prenuptial agreement.

"Miss Emma, once you sign this document, your premarital assets will be completely separated..." Harvey handed me a pen.

Just as I was about to sign, I caught a glimpse of the street outside through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Ethan's signature black Bentley was parked at the curb.

It was peak hours for financial firms, and the man dubbed the "Wall Street Tyrant" by the media was personally opening the passenger door, carefully shielding Chloe's head to prevent her from bumping it.

Chloe climbed out of the car, and Ethan pinched her flushed cheek playfully, pulling a light pink gift box from his suit pocket like a magician.

Chloe gasped, bouncing up and wrapping herself around Ethan's neck like a koala. He held her securely, spinning her around.

Moments later, he locked eyes with me from across the café.

The smile on Ethan's face froze and shrank instantly. He let go of Chloe as if shocked.

I didn't look away.

I simply picked up my lukewarm Earl Grey tea, took a sip, and casually returned my gaze to Harvey, taking the pen he offered.

I signed my name steadily, without a hint of hesitation.

That evening, the apartment was eerily quiet.

After my shower, I lay in bed, trying to relax.

Ethan, unusually, came home early. He quietly slipped under the covers, attempting to wrap his arms around my waist from behind.

"I'm not feeling well," I said coldly.

Ethan's hand awkwardly hovered in the air, his rapid breathing clear in the dark. "Emma, did you... see something today?"

I kept my back to him. "See what?"

"What you saw at the café this afternoon... it's not what you think. Chloe just got her paycheck and insisted on treating me to coffee. I was just—"

"My eyesight hasn't been great lately; everything looks blurry. Sside effect from being discharged. What's going on with you and Chloe?"

All of Ethan's words got stuck in his throat. The bedroom fell into a heavy silence.

After what felt like an eternity, long enough that I was almost asleep, Ethan's voice broke the stillness, trembling and strained.

"Emma... do you... not love me anymore?"

I kept my eyes closed and said nothing.