Chapter 3

Chloe POV

I had no idea how I managed to drag myself out of the studio and back to the penthouse.

The moment I unlocked the front door, the icy pain I had been suppressing all day finally exploded in my joints.

It felt like thousands of frozen needles were biting into my knees.

Thud.

My legs gave out completely, and I crashed heavily onto the cold floor. A cold sweat broke out over my forehead instantly.

As I lay there, pale and trembling, trying to crawl toward the medicine cabinet under the table, the electronic lock on the front door beeped.

Ethan walked in.

He was back earlier than I expected. His charcoal grey suit carried the damp chill of the autumn rain outside.

He saw me collapsed on the floor.

His movements paused as he took off his shoes, his brow furrowing.

"Why are you on the floor?" His tone was still gentle, but carried a hint of exasperation. "Are you still throwing a fit about pinning the dress earlier?"

I was so pale my face was bloodless, cold sweat dripping down my cheeks. My voice shook with every breath. "Ethan... my knees. The chronic pain is acting up. Please... get me my medicine box..."

Ethan just stood there, looking down at me. There was no panic in his eyes, only cold detachment.

"Chloe, I only asked you to adjust a dress," he said slowly, draping his suit jacket over the back of the sofa. "Don't use self-harm to get my attention. The floor is cold. Get up by yourself."

My chest felt like it was stuffed with wet cotton, making it heavy and painful to breathe.

Before I could say another word, Ethan's phone on the sofa buzzed violently.

He picked up and answered right in front of me.

In the quiet living room, the driver's panicked voice came through clearly:

"Mr. Smith! Miss Rose insisted on getting out of the car on the coastal highway! She refused to take your car and won't let me follow her!"

Ethan's calm face instantly shattered.

"Keep an eye on her! Follow her slowly! I'm coming right now!"

He hung up without a second thought, grabbed his jacket from the sofa, and turned to rush out.

"Ethan..."

Using the last of my strength, I dragged myself forward and grabbed the hem of his trousers.

My knuckles turned white from the sheer effort.

Ethan's footsteps stopped.

He looked down at his gripped trousers, then at my pathetic state on the floor.

He knelt down slightly, reached out with his long fingers, and grabbed my wrist.

Then, one by one, he forced my fingers off his pants.

"Chloe, she's out in the rain," Ethan said, his voice steady and flat. "She's too stubborn. If I don't go, she'll walk in the storm until morning before she ever asks anyone for help."

He pried my thumb away and stood up straight.

"You know how to take care of yourself. Take some pills and go to sleep." He looked down at me, his eyes showing a touch of cruelty. "Babe, don't make trouble for me right now."

With that, he threw his coat over his arm, turned around, and walked out the door without looking back.

The heavy front door clicked shut.

I collapsed back onto the cold floor, staring at the closed door.

Amber was walking in the rain, refusing his car and his men.

Yet he was frantic, terrified she would catch a cold, rushing to find her.

Meanwhile, I was lying here, in too much pain to even crawl, and he abandoned me.

I didn't shed a single tear.

I quietly listened to the roar of his sports car engine fading into the rainy night. Slowly, I let my stiff fingers relax.

Looking at my empty palms, I let out a soft, relieved laugh.