Chapter 3
505 Words
Ethan finally let go, his voice stiff. "You should rest. I have work at the office."
With that, he turned away.
Cecilia watched him leave, tears flooding her cheeks.
He had once brought her soup when she worked late, remembered her preferences, and stayed by her bedside all night when she was ill.
Those moments of genuine care had once made her believe in a lifetime of happiness. But seven years of love had reached its end.
Wiping her tears, Cecilia booked an appointment to get her divorce papers reissued and bought a plane ticket for three days later.
Early the next morning, Cecilia was jolted awake by noise downstairs. She descended to find Serena Brown in the living room, surrounded by luggage.
Alina clung to Serena's arm. "Serena, you're finally here!"
Serena smiled, patting her hand. "Ethan, my mother worried I might not settle in well here, so she packed a lot. Sorry for the trouble."
Ethan's tone was casual. "We've known each other since childhood. Don't stand on ceremony."
Noticing Cecilia, Alina's smile vanished. Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "Why the sour face? From now on, Serena will be living here with me!"
Serena stepped forward gently. "The doctor said we mustn't upset Alina. I'm here to keep her company and cheer her up."
Cecilia remained silent, watching quietly.
Ethan murmured, "Cecilia has already agreed."
"This is my house! Since when does she get a say?" Alina scoffed. "If she's unhappy, she can move out!"
Turning sweetly to Serena, she added, "Come on! I'll show you the best room upstairs!"
Soon, heavy thumping came from above. Cecilia went up to find her bedroom in chaos.
Clothes and bags were tossed on the floor, along with the bedside lamp and decorative paintings—everything she and Ethan had chosen together was strewn like trash.
Alina stood in the middle, hands on her hips, directing the servants.
Serena lingered at the doorway. "Staying in the same room might disturb Alina's rest, but being too far would make care difficult. This bedroom is closest, so…"
Ethan approached, glanced at Cecilia, and opened his mouth.
Cecilia cut in flatly. "Fine. Stay wherever you want."
She knelt to gather her belongings.
"Cecilia," Ethan said softly, guilt in his voice, "just stay in the guest room for now. We'll redecorate later…"
"You've already let her move in. Does it matter which room I take?"
Ethan stood silently, eyes falling on a rabbit plushie on the floor from their first date at the amusement park.
He bent down to pick it up. "This is from our first trip to Disney. We stood in line for half an hour to win it. You don't want it anymore?"
Cecilia paused. "Might as well toss it. It's old anyway."
"Cecilia!" Ethan clutched the plushie, hurrying after her. "What's going on? You've never been like this…"
"Nothing's wrong."
Her tone carried self-mockery. "This is what you wanted, isn't it? Making room for Alina, all for her sake?"
Ethan's lips parted, but no words came.
- Writer
