When He Defended His Sister, I Chose to Break Up

Chapter 2

By the time Ethan arrived, the doctor was reminding me to avoid anything frightening or overly stimulating because of my heart condition.

Ethan stood beside the bed in silence, guilt and regret written across his face.

"Nora, I'm sorry. Mia went too far this time. I gave her a serious talking-to. She'll never do it again."

I pulled my hand from his grasp. I didn't believe him.

When Mia posted my w******p number on a hookup site, he promised there would never be a next time. When she slipped dog food into my meal, he swore she would stop playing pranks.

Every promise had been empty.

"Ethan, I don't believe you."

His face drained of color. He didn't argue because he knew I was telling the truth.

At that moment, Mia pushed open the door. She had clearly heard me. She looked at me, then at Ethan's pale face, and bit her lip.

"Nora, please forgive Ethan. I know I was wrong. I didn't know it would get this serious. I was only playing around. You were always fine before."

I turned away, unwilling to engage with her.

Mia refused to let it go. "Do I have to get on my knees and beg before you'll forgive me? Fine. I will."

She dropped to her knees, clasped her hands, and begged me to forgive her.

Ethan's eyes reddened. He started to pull her up, but the sight of me in a hospital bed stopped him. A nurse eventually came in on rounds and put an end to the spectacle.

Mia's face was blotchy and streaked with tears. Ethan's gaze kept drifting toward her, but for once, he stopped himself from fussing over her. Instead, he told her to go home.

"Mia, go home. I need to explain things to Nora."

Mia looked at me and tugged at his sleeve. "Ethan... I'll go, then."

All three of us knew what she meant. Whenever Mia announced that she was leaving, Ethan drove her home.

This time, he averted his eyes and said hoarsely, "Mia, I need to stay here and take care of Nora."

Yet the moment Mia left, he grew restless. At last, he said, "Nora, it's pouring. I can't let Mia go home alone in this weather. I'll drive her back and come straight here."

He rushed out before I could answer.

I clutched the blanket, suddenly drained of all strength.

It was always the same. He would comfort me one moment and hurt me the next. Whenever he had to choose between Mia and me, he chose Mia.

True to his word, Ethan returned after dropping her off. He looked at me cautiously.

"Nora, it really is pouring out there."

I sighed. "Ethan, let's break up."

His face went white. "Nora, stop this. I know you're upset, but you don't get to end our relationship in a fit of anger."

I turned away and ignored him.

I remained in the hospital for 1 week. Ethan came every day. No matter how often I told him to leave, he pretended not to hear.

"Give me a chance to make this right, Nora. Besides, where would you even go if you left me?"

I knew him too well. He claimed he wanted another chance, but he didn't believe I would really leave. In his mind, I couldn't live without him, and the breakup was nothing more than another tantrum.

On the day I was discharged, I went straight to the bedroom and packed. I had already booked a flight for the following day.

Ethan frowned as he watched me fold my clothes. Panic flashed in his eyes, and he pressed his hand over mine.

"Nora, why are you packing?"

I didn't answer.

He cupped my face. "You're still angry, aren't you? Please don't be."

I pulled free and turned away from him.

Ethan sighed. "I know you're still upset. I'll ask Mia to come apologize again, all right?"