Chapter 4

I left for work. At lunchtime, Ethan came to find me, condescendingly placing an old jewelry box on my desk. Inside was a silver bracelet.

"Aria, I know you've been reborn too. Nothing has happened yet. As long as you behave yourself from now on and don't target Lily, we can have a good future together."

Lily Lambert was the adopted daughter of the Pierce family. She was extremely possessive of Ethan and always had to tag along no matter what we did. Out of consideration that she was his family, I had never minded.

She had framed me time and time again, but Ethan had never believed her, always firmly standing by my side.

I thought I was the most important person in his heart, but I had overlooked how he often said:

"She's just childish. Don't take it personally."

I had seen that bracelet before, in Lily's social media post yesterday.

[Just because I liked a gold bracelet online, my brother went out late at night and bought me a whole set of gold jewelry. I'm so happy! But for such a big store to only give a silver bracelet as a free gift is really stingy. Who would still like silver when they have gold~]

And that free gift was now in front of me.

I almost laughed out loud. Did he think everything that had happened, all the harm he had done to me and my parents, could be erased with such a flippant statement? On what grounds?

I smiled mockingly.

"We're just friends. There's no need for gifts on ordinary days."

The year we turned 18, after the college entrance exams, Ethan had excitedly kissed me. We had been in an ambiguous relationship for seven years after that.

He always said he didn't want others to think he was living off me, so he wanted to establish his career before making our relationship public. This went on until this year.

I didn't want to wait anymore, so I carefully planned that confession.

In my past life, he had been deeply moved. We got engaged not long after, but I never expected Lily to run into our engagement party naked and accuse me.

At that time, he chose to believe me. I thought it was just a small incident, but I didn't realize it was the trigger for everything that followed.

"Big sister Aria, how can you say such things? My brother ran around to many stores to choose a gift for you. Anyone with eyes can see how much he cares about you."

Lily walked over, affectionately linking her arm with his.

Ethan patted her hand and was about to speak when his phone rang. He walked to the side to answer it.

Lily leaned in close to me, lowering her voice.

"You don't know, do you? I only had to act crazy for a few days, and my brother was able to bring different men to your bed. Every night, I cuddled in his arms watching the live broadcast of you."

"Actually, my brother really did consider marrying you. But on your wedding day, I self-harmed, and he didn't hesitate to replace the photos of you two growing up with videos of you being intimate with different men."

"The star pupil of the legendary Dr. Meng, the goddess of medical school, becoming a slut passed around by men on her wedding day - it was truly spectacular. Do you want to experience it again?"

For a moment, I seemed to return to that wedding day. My father dying before my eyes, my mother holding me as we perished in the fire. That fire seemed to ignite in my heart again. Shaking with rage, I slapped her hard across the face.

Lily fell to the ground with the force of my slap, her eyes misting over as she spoke pitifully.

"Big sister Aria, I just didn't want you to misunderstand my brother. If hitting me makes you feel better, I don't mind."

Before I could speak, an angry shout rang out.

"Aria Johnson!"

Ethan forcefully pushed me aside, tenderly helping Lily up.

"What nonsense are you saying? With your brother here, no one can hurt you!"

My head hit the counter, blood trickling down my forehead. My heart felt like it was being squeezed tight, making it hard to breathe.

Once upon a time, when I was bullied by classmates for my good grades, he had protected me just as firmly.

"Aria, I won't let anyone hurt you."

Yes, indeed.

So he came to hurt me personally.

Ethan looked up angrily, his gaze falling on my bloodied face. A flash of panic crossed his eyes, and he instinctively reached out towards me. But Lily grasped his hand, her voice weak.

"Brother, I feel so unwell."

He hesitated for just a moment before gritting his teeth and carrying Lily away.

I laughed through my tears, forcing myself to stand up. My hand had an old injury, so I couldn't use much strength. I couldn't even leave a handprint on her face, yet it was enough to make him so concerned.

I had truly been blind and foolish in my past life.

I treated my wound, then took out my phone, holding back a choked sob.

"Mom, I agree to go abroad."