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He could barely stand on his feet, but he spoke softly,scared Paige might be scammed or hurt.
His stutter became more pronounced as he spoke urgently.
“Paige,d-don’t…wear that.It’s…t-too tight.I-I’ll…buy you…new clothes.”
Ethan,born with a stutter,was shy and often bullied.
His struggles pushed me to study law,to speak for those who couldn’t.
His speech issues made him withdrawn,avoiding people.
When he brought home an unconscious Paige, I was torn between being happy that he had found someone and furious at the risks he was taking.
We catered to her every whim,reshaping our lives to please her.
Ethan gave her his heart,raw and real.
After her complaints,he braved the job market despite facing rejections and eventually got a job at a funeral home, often working all night.
He came home with gifts,cooked her favorites,did all chores,even prepped her fruit with toothpicks for ease.
He designed her engagement ring himself,threw a lavish wedding,and vowed to cherish her forever,crying for the first time.
All for a betrayal that would be soaked in blood.
Pathetic.
Slap.
Paige’s face twisted at Ethan’s voice.She shut off the stream,stormed over,and slapped him.
Ethan hit the floor,his pale cheek marked with a bloody handprint.
“You ruin everything!I’m on the verge of becoming famous,and you force me to hit you?”she shrieked.“Kneel and apologize!”
I stepped in front of Ethan,feeling his burning forehead and swallowing rage.“Paige,he’s worried about you.Talk it out.”
She snorted contemptuously.“Talk?He just needs to serve me.A broken and mute person has no right to control me.”
I clenched my fists,yearning to give her a good punch.
Ethan’s eyes dimmed,but he patted my shoulder,signaling calm.
Used to her abuse,he pulled out ointment,knelt,and gently treated her hand.
Paige propped her foot on his shoulder,grinding her heel into him.
Ethan stayed silent,head bowed.
Satisfied,she waved him off to cook.
I grabbed cold medicine,followed him to the kitchen,and shut the door.
He pulled out a pink baby bowl—Paige’s“cute wife”aesthetic in full swing.
My veins throbbed.
I gripped his arm.He raised a brow,confused.
Before I could speak,he seemed to understand and relaxed.
He brushed off my hand,cooking with a faint smile, and radiating contentment.
“Quinn,I…know what you’re…gonna say.Paige…she’s moody,but…pregnancy’s hard.I get it.I’m…happy to do this.Plus,I…owe her.”
She wasn’t just“moody.”
I stared,grabbing his hand firmly.
I knew he craved a lifelong partner.
His dream was within reach,but I had to shatter it.
Choking up,I said,“Ethan,she set you up.The kid’s not yours.”
A clatter—dishes crashed.I knelt,holding Ethan as he trembled in the corner.
“No…it’s not…true.Paige…wouldn’t lie.”
I patted his back,voice steady.“Ethan,tell me—what do you want to do?”
