Chapter 3

3 I simply nodded and went to our room. Ethan followed, holding me, asking if I was angry.

"I just don't want to see her every day. Adding her allows me to mute her. See? I've put her on Do Not Disturb,"

He showed me his phone, trying to prove his innocence.

I said nothing, my disappointment evident. Ethan held my hand, comforting me, and kept teasing me and piling my plate with food at dinner.

Ashley just smiled: "Our Ethan is so attentive."

Ethan ignored her.

He focused on discussing the design of his new retail store.

Ashley, sensing an opportunity, created a distraction. When we looked over, she smiled.

"Oh, my area of expertise! So exciting."

She turned to the clueless Ethan: "My ex-husband has a thriving retail brand. He has connections he could share. For Heart's sake, let me help."

She then described the brand, and I could see Ethan's interest.

He looked at me, then at Ashley, hesitantly, "Wouldn't that be awkward, given your ex?"

"What's awkward? A quick hookup and it's done. Just wait for my message."

This time, Ethan didn't refuse. I knew his Do Not Disturb was about to be lifted.

Sure enough, back in the apartment, he said, "Your cousin is so generous and straightforward."

I just looked at him; my eyes were welling up.

He immediately hugged me: "I was just joking! Could I possibly be interested in a woman still clinging to her ex?"

Ashley left the next day, and Ethan disappeared for several days.

He claimed to be out of town for work, overseeing several store openings.

A few video calls revealed Ashley lurking in the background. He quickly explained,

"My cousin called about the progress, and she drove over when she heard I was in the area. I wouldn't have gotten this far without her, even my dad praised me!"

Second-generation rich kids often struggle to surpass their parents. Ethan was no exception. His father and grandfather were prominent entrepreneurs; he was good, but always in their shadow. He craved validation.

This project ― multiple city openings, swift execution, excellent locations ― earned him praise from his father and grandfather at dinner.