Chapter 7

Vivian Shaw POV

In the following days, I peacefully recovered in the hospital.

Ethan came a few times, bringing expensive supplements and flowers. He never stayed long. His phone was always busy.

I didn't make scenes or fuss. I just said "mm" to whatever he said, giving him a feeling of punching cotton with no resistance.

On the day I was discharged, Ethan brought flowers and accompanied me to the cemetery in the suburbs.

I looked at the increasingly familiar scenery outside the window, a sense of absurdity rising in my heart.

Five years. This was the first time Ethan came to pay respects to my mother.

The cemetery was very quiet. Wind blew through the trees with a rustling sound.

Ethan stood before the gravestone, looking at the woman in the photo who resembled me by seventy percent, silent for a long time.

"Mom," he began, his voice somewhat hoarse, "I'm sorry it took me so many years to visit you."

"I'll take good care of Vivian from now on. You can rest assured." Ethan continued, "I won't let her suffer anymore."

I looked at my mother's gentle smile on the gravestone, my expression numb.

Mom, did you hear?

The person I've liked for ten years said he'll take good care of me from now on.

But these words came too late.

So late that I no longer need them.

After paying respects, Ethan took me to the restaurant I'd always wanted to visit.

It was a French restaurant that was very difficult to book. I'd mentioned it many times before, but Ethan always said he didn't have time.

Today he reserved the entire restaurant and arranged a romantic dinner.

"I remember you said you wanted to come here." Ethan pulled out a chair for me. "Try it and see if it suits your taste."

I sat down, looking at the table full of exquisite dishes, my heart completely unmoved.

Halfway through the meal, Ethan's phone rang again.

Still Quinn.

Her angry voice was loud enough that even I could hear it clearly. "Ethan! You spent days throwing me an extravagant birthday party, but you didn't come yourself?!"

Ethan frowned and glanced at me.

I was cutting my steak, movements graceful, expression calm, as if I'd heard nothing.

"I had something to do." Ethan said quietly.

"What could be more important than my birthday? You have to come to my birthday party right now, or I won't celebrate this birthday at all!"

Ethan, pestered beyond endurance, hung up.

He looked at me, wanting to explain, but I had already put down my utensils.

"You should go." I said. "I've finished eating anyway."

"Vivian, Quinn just returned to the country. She wanted to gather all her friends together, but she doesn't know how to organize a party, so I helped her a bit." Ethan explained. "I didn't mean anything by it."

"I know." I nodded. "I understand."

That phrase again.

The frustration in Ethan's chest surged up again.

"I'll take you with me." He suddenly said. "The party is nearby anyway. We'll just make an appearance and leave. Consider it relaxing."

I wanted to refuse, but Ethan had already stood up. "Let's go."

Quinn's birthday party was in a luxury hotel's banquet hall.

When Ethan and I arrived, there were already many people inside.

Quinn wore a red dress, like a proud peacock, surrounded by crowds.

Seeing Ethan, her eyes lit up. She lifted her skirt and ran over. "Ethan! You finally came!"

She directly wrapped her arm around Ethan's, completely ignoring me beside him.

"Quinn." Ethan frowned, trying to pull his arm back.

"Ethan, dance the opening dance with me!" Quinn acted coquettishly. "You haven't danced with me in so long."

Ethan looked at me.

I was looking elsewhere, as if admiring a painting on the wall.

"Vivian..." Ethan started.

"Go ahead." I said. "I'll get something to eat over there."

With that, I turned and walked toward the food table.