Chapter 3 Let It Go
1314 Words
"Don't bother paying!"
The voice came from Ethan, who had been silent the entire time. His commanding tone carried across the room as he cast a cold glance at Evelyn, his expression unreadable. "Put the designs away."
Evelyn froze, her body stiffening as though a wave of icy water had washed over her.
What was this?
Was this his way of punishing her for her attitude toward Linda earlier?
So, he wasn't naturally indifferent—he could be warm and attentive. Just not to her.
His rare moments of tenderness were reserved for Linda, the woman Evelyn despised most.
"Fine. If you won't sell them to her, then I'll leave," Evelyn said, her voice calm but firm. She knew that with Ethan's word, Linda wouldn't buy the designs, not that Linda had ever intended to. Evelyn was merely a prop in their game of public humiliation.
Evelyn began collecting her designs from the table, reclaiming them one by one from the idle hands of the onlookers. Most of them were spoiled socialites like Grace, who had little else to do but ridicule others.
Among them was Zach Flores, notorious for his arrogance and crude behavior. He'd long held a torch for Linda and wasn't pleased with how Evelyn had treated her. When Evelyn reached for the design in his hand, he stepped aside to avoid her grasp.
"You're selling these designs, right? I'll buy one. One drawing per drink. 50,000 dollars each," he said, his tone mocking as he leaned back, smirking at her.
The room fell silent for a moment.
"Deal." Evelyn didn't hesitate. She grabbed the glass of wine he'd poured and downed it in one go, her voice steady as she said, "Pour the next one."
Her mind raced. 'I'm sorry, baby. Hang in there. I won't let this hurt you.'
Evelyn slammed the empty glass on the table for all to see. Without waiting for Zach, she poured herself another glass.
As she raised it to her lips, Ethan's voice cut through the air, low and sharp. "Evelyn."
Her hand froze.
Ethan rarely addressed her directly, let alone by her full name. But she could hear the anger in his voice.
What was it this time? Was he furious because she had defied his earlier command? Or was he simply embarrassed by her actions?
The tension in the room thickened.
Before Evelyn could respond, Linda intervened, her tone sweet but insistent. "Evelyn, don't do this to yourself. It's not worth it. I'll buy the designs."
She quickly transferred $250,000 to Evelyn's account.
Evelyn's phone buzzed with the notification.
Her lips twitched with a bitter smile. She was part of their act, wasn't she?
Gathering the remaining designs, Evelyn placed them neatly on the table before walking out of the room in measured strides.
She headed straight for the restroom, her stomach churning with guilt and nausea.
Evelyn bent over the sink, her fingers pressed against her throat as she forced herself to vomit the alcohol she'd consumed.
"Ugh—"
The sharp burn of bile clawed at her throat, but she persisted, knowing she had to protect her unborn child.
Her body trembled as she finally straightened, supporting herself against the counter.
"You've forgotten your place, haven't you?" Ethan's voice came from behind her, low and cold.
Evelyn's already pale face grew even whiter. She turned slowly to face him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "What place, Ethan? Enlighten me, because I don't seem to know."
Her voice dripped with sarcasm as her lips curled into a bitter smile.
Ethan frowned, clearly taken aback by her defiance.
"Mrs. Ford," he said, his tone clipped. "If you can't hold your liquor, don't try to show off. Or was this just your way of getting my attention? If you need something, just ask. Don't stoop so low."
His words hit her like a slap in the face.
'Stoop so low?' Evelyn's heart twisted painfully.
Of course, he would think that. Why wouldn't he? To Ethan, she was nothing but a convenience—a placeholder in a life he'd designed for someone else.
"Fine," she said, her voice steady despite the ache in her chest. "Since you're asking, I'll tell you. I want a divorce."
Ethan's expression darkened. The room seemed to grow colder as his gaze locked onto hers. "What nonsense are you spouting? Are you desperate for money?"
Evelyn let out a hollow laugh. Of course, that's where his mind went.
"Yes, Ethan. That's exactly it. I need money," she said, her voice icy. "And as Mrs. Ford, I guess it's scandalous to sell my work for pocket change. Let's fix that. Divorce me. Then any humiliation is mine to bear alone."
Her words were calm, measured, and final.
Under the dim lights of the restroom, Evelyn looked fragile but resolute. Her pale face was devoid of color, but her eyes blazed with determination.
Ethan stared at her, his chest tightening. She seemed like a stranger.
"You're drunk," he said after a long pause. "We'll talk when you're sober."
Without another word, he grabbed her wrist, intent on dragging her out.
Evelyn wrenched free. "I don't need your help," she said coldly.
Before Ethan could respond, William appeared, his voice urgent. "Mr. Ford, something's wrong with Linda! She just fainted!"
Ethan's grip on Evelyn's wrist loosened immediately. Without sparing her another glance, he followed William out.
Ethan's expression shifted. He immediately let go of Evelyn's hand.
He turned to William. "Take her home," he ordered, then strode off quickly, without sparing Evelyn another glance.
Whenever it was about Linda, Ethan's choice was always the same.
Evelyn was always the one left behind.
William watched Ethan walk away and turned to Evelyn with an indifferent expression.
"Mrs. Ford, please. I've called a car for you."
Evelyn could feel the disdain in his words.
His disdain stemmed from Ethan never giving her the dignity of being Mrs. Ford.
She closed her eyes, thinking about how to make money and how to leave Ethan for good.
But William suddenly spoke again, "Mrs. Ford, Mr. Ford is a busy man. As his wife, you should be more understanding. Sometimes, you either have to pretend not to notice or know when to walk away."
"Is that your opinion, or Ethan's?" Evelyn asked, her voice icy.
She hadn't intended to argue with him, but at that moment, she decided she couldn't let it slide. Her eyes snapped open, cold and piercing.
William was stunned!
He couldn't outright claim it was Ethan's opinion because Ethan had never said such a thing.
But as Ethan's personal assistant, he had seen enough to understand who truly mattered to Ethan.
So, he figured that while it was his own opinion, it aligned with Ethan's feelings almost perfectly.
Evelyn saw that he didn't deny her claim, and she understood.
So, Ethan had always thought this way.
'Fine. That makes getting a divorce even easier.'
"Boom..."
Suddenly, fireworks lit up the sky, illuminating Ashton City.
The vibrant colors almost lit up the entire city.
The light show perfectly highlighted the message displayed on the city's landmark building: "Happy Birthday, Linda."
Evelyn didn't need to think twice to figure out who was behind such an extravagant display.
William confirmed her thoughts. "Mr. Ford planned this show. I wonder if Miss Wilson will even see it?"
Evelyn knew William had said it on purpose to provoke her.
It was his way of retaliating for her earlier confrontation.
But the fact remained—Ethan had done all this for Linda.
'A light show. A fireworks display. It must've cost millions.'
Evelyn thought about how she'd just sold her designs for $50,000, and drank alcohol despite being pregnant, and the irony cut deep.
The fireworks continued exploding overhead, lasting for almost an hour.
They shattered Evelyn's already broken heart even further.
'It's time for a divorce.'
- Writer
