Chapter 3

3

He didn't say a word. I knew that was a yes.

I used to think Ethan was the only one in the Blackwell family who was on my side. I was wrong.

I thought his kindness was just a brotherly love for his sister. I thought he was just trying to help me fit into the family.

But it was all in my head.

"Let me take you home."

After a long silence, he took my hand and led me to the car.

"I was wrong just now."

The engine roared. I heard him speak softly through the noise.

I rolled down the window and pretended I hadn't heard him.

I let the wind mess up my hair and sting my eyes until tears fell.

When we pulled up to the house, I took a deep breath and put on a smile before getting out.

Before I even opened the door, I heard Leo's loud voice inside.

He threw himself into Ethan's arms the moment we walked in.

"Dad, you're finally back!"

"Mom wouldn't let me see Aunt Sophia. She locked me in the house! But I want to go to the park!"

I froze. I couldn't believe my own child would lie like that just to hurt me.

Ethan looked shocked and turned his head to look at me.

"Mom was just worried the drive would be too long for you. How about we both take you to the park today?"

He tried to cover for me, patting Leo's hair.

"I don't want Mom to go!"

Leo turned his head away and pouted.

Looking at his profile, I felt a sharp pain in my chest.

I had spent all my time balancing work and home, but I had failed at both. My son wasn't close to me, and my husband didn't love me.

"How about Mom stays home and makes those honey-glazed ribs you love?"

I softened my voice and knelt down to take his small hand.

He finally turned around and nodded with wide eyes.

"Then I want two bowls of rice tonight."

Hearing that made me feel a little bit better.

As the house grew quiet, I felt a strange urge to open that old phone again.

"The world won't let me love you, but my heart only chooses you."

I read the message out loud. It was a draft that hadn't been sent yet, full of Ethan's teenage longing.

"What about me then?"

My voice was shaking. I was still hoping for a miracle.

Maybe this was just how Ethan felt when he was eighteen. He had a family now, right?

If he didn't care about me, why would he have a child with me?

Then I saw another draft: 【I don't love her. I only had a kid with her so the child could give her the love I never could.】

My breath hitched. The warm day suddenly felt freezing cold.

My vision blurred, and I struggled to breathe.

So that was why he was so desperate to have a child.

I thought he wanted a symbol of our love. I thought it was proof of our bond.

Now, I finally understood everything.

If the eighteen-year-old Elena had been betrayed like this, she would have left instantly.

But now I had a son and a life everyone envied.

I clenched my fists and walked back to my room with shaky steps.

I stared at the ceiling, and tears started to fall.

"Elena, you must hate being such a coward."

I laughed at myself and eventually fell into a deep, troubled sleep.

In my dream, I saw the bright young man I first met.

He waved at me and pulled a bouquet of roses from behind his back like a magic trick. He looked so shy, and his eyes were only on me.

But the dream ended. I woke up in a dark room and fumbled for the light.

Oh no. I forgot to make the ribs for Leo!

I rushed downstairs, expecting to see a grumpy son. But the house was empty.

The silence was deafening. It was nine o'clock. Were they still not home?