Chapter 4

To keep Chloe and me from arguing, Ethan had me stay in the kitchen with him, claiming he wanted me to see how much effort he was putting in.

Yet he completely failed to notice the matching couple's dishware set sitting on the counter.

Once the food was plated, Chloe called out from the dining room:

"Ethan, bring me the pink set! You know that's mine, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, I got it! Stop yelling!" Ethan called back.

I stood there like a ghost, caught in their intimate banter, feeling entirely out of place.

Ethan's cooking was genuinely good. But today, the food tasted like cardboard in my mouth.

I just wanted to finish quickly, grab my things, and get out.

Chloe, however, had no intention of letting me off easily.

She bossed Ethan around, telling him to put food on her plate, before casually turning to me:

"So, Rachel, I heard you applied to Apex Group too? You're so talented, you definitely got the offer, right?"

Ethan's hand froze for a split second.

I looked at Chloe and replied evenly, "They only hired one person. I didn't make the cut."

Chloe burst out laughing.

"Oh no, what a bummer!"

She nudged Ethan with her foot under the table.

"Wait, didn't you review everyone's resume through your dad's friends? How could you give the spot to me when you knew your own girlfriend wanted it?"

Apex Group had been my dream company since my sophomore year. I told myself that if I stayed in this city, Apex was my only goal.

To meet their hiring criteria, I spent the last two years entering every competition I could find and working relentless internships while sacrificing my sleep.

Everyone who knew me knew how hard I worked.

Even Ethan had asked me directly before, and I told him Apex was my dream.

My eyes burned, and it took everything in me not to break down.

Ethan scowled and snapped at Chloe:

"Just eat your food! Why do you have to bring that up right now?!"

Chloe rolled her eyes playfully.

"How was I supposed to know you were such a loyal bro? Choosing your best friend over your girl!"

Ethan panicked, quickly looking at me.

"Rachel, it's not what it sounds like..."

I put my fork down, stood up, and cut him off:

"I'm full. Give me my wallet. I have things to handle back at campus."

Knowing he was caught red-handed, Ethan didn't dare hold my wallet hostage anymore.

I refused to let him drive me back.

As the door clicked shut behind me, Chloe's voice drifted through the gap:

"You had the guts to do it, but not the guts to admit it?"

"Weren't you the one who told the VP at Apex that Rachel is super capable and could thrive anywhere, while I was hopeless and needed this break?"

"I haven't even complained about you dragging my name through the mud, and you're catching an attitude with me?"