Chapter 2

2 He rejected another fake account, then turned to me:

"My parents want to meet you. They say we've been dating for six months and you've never shown your face. They're dying to meet the girl I'm crazy about."

I hesitated, ruffling his hair, "Let's wait a bit. I'm swamped this quarter. I'll treat your parents to dinner after."

"No need. You just showing up will make my parents ecstatic. Come to my family's hotel for dinner!"

Maybe her repeated failures to add Ethan frustrated Ashley. She announced she'd be staying at my apartment for a while.

I refused, of course. But Mom, eager to show off Ethan's new apartment, gave Ashley the address.

When I got home, Ethan and Ashley were sitting on the couch, each engrossed in their phones.

Ethan pulled me into our bedroom, agitated: "I haven't even talked to her, and she's here!"

"Mom gave her the address," I shrugged. "That's just Ashley. Ignore her."

He swore he hadn't engaged with her, but I felt uneasy, replaying their earlier posture on the couch in my head.

Ethan wouldn't, would he? I'd spent six months winning him over. Could he be swayed so easily?

My insecurity gnawed at me. I had little faith in myself, and even less in how long Ethan would resist.

Ethan didn't stay that night. He has another apartment in the building next door, and he went back there.

The next morning, he delivered breakfast.

Seven or eight dishes were laid out. Ashley smirked.

"So, brother-in-law, you knew I was here, hence the feast?"

"Wow, I love those soup dumplings. They never deliver, did you pick them up early this morning?"

Ethan glanced at her: "No, I forgot you were here. I should've ordered two more dishes. Heart's not feeling well, so I got her a variety to choose from."

Ashley drew out a long "oh," but her fingers kept fidgeting with her freshly manicured nails―her thinking pose. Before, she might've been interested. Now, she was determined to win.

My grip on Ethan's hand tightened. He noticed the pain, quickly apologizing. I left the table.

When I got off work, there they were again, on the couch. Ethan greeted me.

He whispered, "Does your cousin not have a job? Why is she here all the time? Doesn't she have a home?"

I looked up: "Add her on WeChat, and she might leave."

He froze, then said, "I added her. She said she'd go home tomorrow."