my perfect bride.

Chloe's jealousy.

Chloe Wilson was having a tea meeting with a few of her girlfriends in her favorite spot at home, a cozy nook she affectionately called the "Coffee Room." Her mansion, a sprawling testament to wealth and privilege, was adorned with sparkling glass furniture and lavish decor that spoke of a life lived in luxury. The manicured gardens outside were a sight to behold, and the golden accents of the house glimmered in the afternoon sun, making it seem almost regal. To anyone who glanced at it, Chloe’s home was nothing short of a modern-day palace, a place where dreams and reality intertwined.

As she settled into her plush armchair, surrounded by her closest friends—Gracia, Ember, and a few others—Chloe felt a sense of comfort wash over her. They were deep in conversation, sharing the latest gossip about the town’s elite, when Gracia suddenly squealed, her excitement palpable. "You won’t believe what I just found out!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with intrigue as she scrolled through her phone.

The room fell silent, all eyes on Gracia, who was about to unveil the latest scandal involving Manhattan's most eligible bachelor, Ethan Parker. He and his brother, Louie, were the talk of the town, their charm and good looks drawing admiration from every corner. The Parker brothers were known for their aloofness, their lives revolving around business and power, while the Hamilton brothers—Eric, Leonard, Jason, and Brian—were notorious for their playboy antics, captivating women with their devil-may-care attitudes.

Chloe leaned forward, her heart racing with a mix of curiosity and something else—something deeper. "What about Ethan?" she asked, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest.

Gracia grinned, her excitement infectious. "I heard from a friend that Ethan was spotted at The Paradise restaurant last night, and guess who he was with?" The anticipation in the room was electric, each girl leaning in closer, eager for the revelation.

"Who?" Ember asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Gracia's smile widened as she revealed, "A stunning woman! My sister-in-law’s fiancé is the head chef there, and he managed to snap a picture of them together. They looked so… intimate."

Chloe's heart sank. The thought of Ethan with another woman twisted something deep within her. She had always felt a connection to him, a spark that ignited every time they crossed paths at social events. But now, the image of him with someone else felt like a dagger to her heart.

"Show us the picture!" one of the girls urged, and Gracia eagerly pulled it up on her phone. The image was grainy, taken from a distance, but there was no mistaking Ethan’s striking features. His jet-black hair framed his chiseled face, and his piercing green eyes seemed to hold a world of secrets. Beside him was a woman whose face was obscured, but her figure was undeniably alluring, her skin glowing like polished jade.

Chloe felt a wave of bitterness wash over her. How could he move on so easily? The woman in the picture seemed to fit the mold of every woman Ethan had ever been with—beautiful, confident, and utterly captivating. Chloe’s mind raced with thoughts of inadequacy, of being just another face in the crowd, while the woman beside him was the center of his universe.

"Do you think he’s serious about her?" Ember asked, breaking the silence that had settled over the group.

"I doubt it," Gracia replied, her tone dismissive. "Ethan is all about business. He doesn’t do relationships."

But Chloe couldn’t shake the feeling of jealousy that clawed at her insides. She had always respected Ethan’s ambition, admired his drive, but now it felt like a barrier between them. She wanted to be the one he chose, the one he held close, not just another name in his long list of conquests.

As the conversation shifted to other topics, Chloe found herself lost in thought. She could feel the weight of her emotions pressing down on her, a mixture of longing and resentment. She had always prided herself on being strong, on not letting her feelings dictate her actions. But in that moment, she felt vulnerable, exposed.

Later that evening, as her friends departed, Chloe stood by the window, gazing out at the sprawling gardens. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over everything, but all she could see was the image of Ethan with that mysterious woman. It was a reminder of what she wanted but felt she could never have.

With a heavy heart, she whispered to herself, "Why can’t I be the one?" The question hung in the air, unanswered, as she turned away from the window, determined to reclaim her strength. She would not let this moment define her. Instead, she would find a way to confront her feelings, to seek out the truth about Ethan Parker and the connection they shared.

Little did she know, the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but it would also lead her to a revelation that would change everything.