Chapter 3

Brandon stepped aside to clear the path, wearing a tight, artificial smile. "We accept your blessings. I certainly hope you keep your word."

As I turned away, the corner of my eye caught Mary leaning into him, their fingers tightly intertwined.

I let out a quiet, self-deprecating chuckle and led Chris out of the venue.

In the middle of the night, my stomach churned violently with pain. I got out of bed to grope for the light switch.

My hand brushed against a soft, slender pair of hands in the dark, and I sucked in a sharp breath.

Mary's voice emerged cold and eerie from the shadows: "What? Not happy to see me?"

Suppressing the burning ache in my stomach, I replied softly, "No. I just assumed you wouldn't be coming back to this place."

Somehow, that seemed to offend her once more.

Her expression instantly clouded over, her tone sharp and accusatory: "In your eyes, you wish I'd never come home, don't you?!"

I genuinely couldn't understand what was triggering her anger.

All I could do was firmly reiterate my boundaries: "Miss Sullivan, I always keep my promises. I give you my word that I won't interfere with your relationship with Brandon."

The moment she heard that, her face turned completely dark.

She gripped my wrist tightly, her jaw clenched as she hissed, "Who was the one who swore to cherish me forever, to never leave my side through thick and thin? That couple's lock you bought for us is still hanging on the bridge back home! Are you turning your back on your own vows?!"

Feeling helpless, I sighed, "You already have Brandon now. Saying these things is entirely inappropriate. Let the past stay in the past."

Mary let out a harsh, bitter laugh. "Great! You really have guts, Ethan Vance! You're nothing but a liar full of pretty words! Admit it—you've been planning to leave me all along!"

My gaze dimmed, my voice slightly hoarse.

"Miss Sullivan, you are a high-and-mighty billionaire heiress, and I'm just a broke nobody. From the very first day you stepped into my house, you faked autism and pretended to be utterly dependent on me, hiding your true identity flawlessly. You knew none of it was real. How am I supposed to treat a lie as the truth?"

Mary’s lips parted slightly, but she choked on her words.

I realized immediately that I had been too blunt.

After all, my relatives' livelihood and that signed agreement were still under her control. Crushing us would be as easy as stepping on ants.

Averting her gaze, Mary said coldly, "It’s good that you know your place. Our marriage cannot be dissolved just yet. Just remember to honor every single condition you agreed to!"

With that, she angrily shoved me out of the bedroom, leaving me standing in the hallway, completely bewildered.

I couldn't tell if Mary’s rage stemmed from the embarrassment Brandon suffered earlier today.

I thought I had made myself abundantly clear: I would not intrude on her romance, nor would I meddle in her life.

Even Brandon could see where I stood and recognized how little weight I carried in her world.

Yet Mary refused to accept my cooperation, meeting it with endless resentment.

I couldn't help but ask myself: in those four years of pouring my heart and soul into caring for her, had I truly failed to earn even a shred of genuine affection?

The next morning, Mary had already slipped out long before I woke.

After finishing breakfast, I took my documents to the office to finalize my transfer paperwork.

My manager, whom I had worked with for years, was deeply relieved by my decision. He knew full well that I had turned down multiple lucrative out-of-town promotions in the past just to stay by Mary's side.

After work, Chris suggested taking the team out to a diner near the office for a farewell dinner.

I invited the members of my department, filling up an entire large round table.

When ordering, I instinctively selected mild, gentle dishes.

Chris snatched the menu from my hand, his eyebrows knitting together. "Ethan, are you trying to pinch pennies on our dinner? Several of us can't survive without spice!"

A flush of embarrassment washed over me. Only then did I realize that every single item I had ordered was one of Mary's favorites.

Once Chris readjusted the order, my colleagues began to raise their glasses to toast me.

Thinking about embarking on a new journey, while I felt a twinge of sadness parting with my team, my heart was filled with hope for what lay ahead.

After a few rounds of drinks, the warmth of the alcohol began to cloud my head.

At some point, a new table of guests arrived behind us.

Just as the server brought over a plate of sautéed greens, a man abruptly slammed a stack of hundred-dollar bills onto the counter, loudly demanding to buy the kitchen's last portion of greens for his girlfriend.

Hearing that familiar voice, I instinctively glanced over. It was Brandon and Mary.

Reeking of alcohol, Chris charged straight toward Brandon and shoved him hard.

"What the hell is your problem, punk?! Tonight is a farewell dinner we threw for Ethan! He’s moving away to another city, and you come in waving your dirty cash trying to humiliate someone?!"

Mary glared intensely at me, her voice bordering on hysterical: "What farewell dinner?! Ethan Vance, where do you think you're sneaking off to behind my back?!"