Chapter 3

I bit my lip, lifted my head to kiss Ethan on the lips, then nodded while yawning.

"Okay, I'll go back to bed and wait for you."

But the moment I closed the door, my legs gave out and I collapsed on the floor.

After a long while, I raised my trembling hand. My fingertip brushed across my lips, where a bit of rose-scented lip balm stuck to it, sticky and nauseating.

I didn't wear lip balm at night, and neither did Ethan. Only Lily, because she was prone to cheilitis, would apply a thick layer of lip balm to her lips every night.

That lip balm was even a birthday gift from me. I'd specifically asked Ethan.

"What should I get Lily for her birthday? Give me some recommendations."

Ethan had answered without hesitation.

"Lip balm. She has cheilitis and needs to use it often."

Then I carefully selected a rose-scented lip balm and gave it to Lily. But I never imagined it would end up on Ethan's lips today.

My heart felt like it was being squeezed. I covered my stomach and dry-heaved a few times, even bringing moisture to the corners of my eyes.

But years of feelings still made me immediately reject my own thoughts. I shook my head frantically, murmuring to myself.

"It can't be, it can't be."

Yet my body stood up and walked toward the master bathroom window, which was very close to the kitchen window. Usually it was closed, but when opened, you could hear sounds from the kitchen.

I slowly placed my hand on it. After a long while, I finally worked up the courage to push it open.

"Mmm~ Brother."

A suppressed moan reached my ears. The color drained from my face instantly. It was Lily and Ethan.

"Lily, if you can't hold back, you can bite my shoulder."

"Do you... do this with... sister-in-law too?"

"Every night... ah... do you... bully people like this?"

Lily was clearly being pushed too hard, her voice carrying a sob, yet she was still jealous of me. Ethan gave a muffled laugh.

"If it weren't to keep her from getting suspicious, I wouldn't even want to touch her. Lily, you're the only one I like. Once Mom and Dad are too old to control me, I'll kick Chloe out."

No wonder Ethan only agreed to be with me once a month. No matter how I tried to seduce him the rest of the time, he remained unmoved. I thought he had a low sex drive, but it turned out he was using all his energy on Lily.

The things I'd done in the past were like slaps to my face, drowning me in shame and humiliation.

"Lily, we'll be together forever."

Lily answered softly.

"Okay, brother, we'll be together forever."

I dug my nails into my palms until they turned white, yet calmly ended the recording on my phone.

In my past life, they not only used me as a shield to avoid suspicion, but also caused the death of me and my child. This couldn't just be forgotten.

I lowered my eyes and stiffly lay back in bed.

I don't know how long passed before someone rustled into bed beside me. I forced down my nausea and kept my eyes open until dawn.

Early the next morning, I went to eat the eight-treasure porridge Ethan had used as an excuse, sporting two dark circles under my eyes.

The temperature was neither too hot nor too cold—just right for eating. Ethan was always so considerate, which was also why I fell in love with him and was willing to marry him.

But this consideration had now become the sharpest knife, cutting me to pieces.

I stared blankly at the food in front of me, forcing myself not to cry.

"What's wrong, Chloe? Are you not feeling well? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

Ethan leaned over and reached out to feel my forehead. I instinctively dodged and lowered my head to make an excuse.

"Last night's nightmare kept me from sleeping well. It's nothing, I don't need to go to the hospital."

As I spoke, Lily opened her door and walked out, though her posture was a bit awkward. This time I knew the reason.

Many times before, Lily would stiffen when I touched her. I used to think she didn't like being touched by people, but now I knew it was because Ethan had loved her too intensely.

I didn't turn my head and continued picking up my chopsticks to stir the eight-treasure porridge in my bowl.

Seeing this, Ethan immediately stood up and got a cushion, placing it on the chair. Through the reflection on the kitchen glass door, I saw Lily pinch Ethan's arm in embarrassment. Ethan immediately raised both hands in surrender and gently rubbed her waist. Only then did Lily give a light huff and sit down.

Everything was so natural. Their distance in front of me had all been an act. In places I couldn't see, the two were intimate and sweet, like a pair of natural lovers.

I couldn't help it—a bitter smile appeared at the corner of my mouth, a self-mocking one aimed at myself.

Mocking myself for being fooled like an idiot for so many years, dying unjustly in the end. Even my soul after death couldn't rest, crossing time to warn myself in a dream to stay away.