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He was my high school and college classmate,the one who knew all my secrets.
Ethan’s face darkened instantly.
Ryan noticed Ethan’s grip on me and pressed,“Wasn’t it that drunken night?It’s not a big deal,we’re friends…”
Before he could finished,Ethan released me,storming downstairs.
I exhaled as he vanished.
Ryan crossed arms.“Why torture yourself?”
“You pushed him away again.”
I crouched,picking up spilled groceries.“Keep him here to take responsibility?”
“Ryan,I scammed him once.This dead-end life is mine to slog through—why drag a rich kid down with me?”
“He doesn’t need to eat dollar-store veggies.”
Ryan watched me.“Jessica,you know your tell?”
“When you’re emotional,you ramble.”
My hands froze in the middle of picking up.
He yawned,turning.“Keep wallowing in your fake misery.I’m back to bed.”
In my peripheral view,another shirtless,chiseled guy wrapped an arm around Ryan,and their door slammed.
I carried my groceries,opened my own door,and cooked dinner as usual.
Then I checked my phone—HR’s message:
“Mr.Caldwell approved,with double severance.”
Tears fell instantly.
Days dragged in a haze until my hospital follow-up.
In the obstetrician-gynecologist waiting area,I unexpectedly spotted Ethan.
With Rachel Evans.
It was winter.Rachel,swathed in thick fur,showed only her delicate face,lips red,smiling brightly.
She could wear a sack and still look like an heiress.
I overheard the doctor.“…Developing well,keep up checkups…”
I wanted to leave,but my legs were frozen.
My mind lagged,piecing the information together slowly.
Rachel was pregnant.
Ethan’s?
Were they married?
Probably—families like theirs marry due to a pregnancy.
A perfect match,too.
It made sense.
I shuffled away,with my head buzzing.
My existence was a farce.
The curtain fell,and the prince and princess resumed their story,untouched by my chaos.
A hand tapped my shoulder.
I turned,frowning,to see Rachel beaming.“Jessica,I called you so many times—why so slow?”
Ethan stood beside her,expressionless.
I mumbled,“Long...long time no see.”
“Too long!”Rachel warmly grabbed my hand.“You didn’t tell us you were back.Your sudden exit shocked everyone.”
