Chapter 4

So from the very beginning, it was all my one-sided wishful thinking.

He didn't care about or cherish my love at all.

He even needed to test me before being with me.

I shook my head and sighed.

I didn't want to hear another word from them. I stood up directly.

"I'm not participating in your tests anymore. I'll never accept them. Ethan, let's break up."

Hearing me suggest breaking up, Kira immediately jumped down from the bed.

"You can't accept this? You're being way too petty! We didn't do anything-we just slept in the same bed. Does it really need to escalate to breaking up? After you marry Ethan, does he have to belong only to you? Hazel, you're way too selfish!"

And Ethan frowned as if I were being completely unreasonable.

"Weren't you pretty easygoing before? No matter what Kira and I did, you never got angry. Why have you become so petty now?"

Before?

Before, they'd never blatantly lain in the same bed together!

I was too lazy to waste another breath on them. Every additional word felt like it was dirtying my mouth.

I stepped around them and grabbed my suitcase, preparing to leave.

Ethan stood there without even making a move to stop me.

As if I were just throwing a tantrum and would soon come back obediently to apologize.

"Stop making a scene. Really, nothing happened. What are you even angry about? If you keep this up, I really won't care anymore. Don't come begging me later."

Even at this point, he still thought I was speaking in anger.

Well, it made sense. The old me had been too foolish, too attached to this first love.

So no matter how many times he and Kira crossed boundaries, I always endured it.

But this time, I truly wouldn't endure it anymore.

I walked to the door and opened it, preparing to leave.

Just then, Kira suddenly rushed forward, grabbing my arm and whispering in my ear.

"Hazel, if you've got any backbone, don't come back. Let me tell you-as long as I'm by Ethan's side, he'll always have eyes for me. You'll never compare to me."

I shook off her hand and turned to look at her.

"Is that so? If he really had eyes for you, why haven't you two gotten together already? I'd say it's because Ethan thinks you're free and useful-he doesn't have to invest any genuine feelings or give you any status, so he just keeps you around."

My words hit Kira's sore spot.

Her expression instantly turned ugly, and she started frantically defending herself.

"What are you so smug about? Ethan and I got together when we turned eighteen! We've already slept together! As long as I want, we can be together anytime. You're just a joke between us!"

Got together when they turned eighteen?

These words drilled into my ears, making me physically sick.

I'd always thought they were just childhood friends. I never imagined they already had this messy relationship, yet they acted innocent in front of me every day, playing me for a fool.

I turned back to look at Ethan in the bedroom. He was irritably rubbing his head, looking completely indifferent.

"Then I'll wait and see. Without me getting in the way, let's see if you two can actually get together."

After saying this, I didn't stay another second. I left.

Walking out of Ethan's place, I pulled out my phone and called my mom.

The moment the call connected, Mom's voice came through.

"Hazel, what's wrong? Did you fight with Ethan again?"

I took a deep breath, forcing down the lump in my throat.

"Mom, remember that arranged marriage you mentioned? I'll do it."