Chapter 3

Chloe’s high-pitched scream pierced the air.

"Ethan! Are you insane?! How dare you assault someone in public?!"

Screaming, Chloe rushed over to pull Julian out of the water.

But Julian was flailing around in the deep fountain, struggling to get his footing.

It was the dead of winter. The fountain water was freezing cold. Julian sneezed repeatedly, his perfectly styled hair completely ruined and dripping wet.

He looked like a drowned rat.

Several colleagues even quietly pulled out their phones, snapping photos of his miserable state.

Chloe turned to me, her face contorted with rage as she spat out a threat.

"Ethan, you classless garbage! I will make sure you pay for this!"

I ignored her. Putting my hands in my pockets, I walked out of the venue without looking back.

I stood on the curb, waiting for a ride.

Looking at the heavy rain starting to pour down, a wave of nostalgia washed over me.

The first time I met Chloe was on a rainy day just like this.

I had been standing outside a convenience store, making a phone call. Just as I opened my umbrella to leave, a beautiful girl had run out of the rain.

She had slipped right under my umbrella, looking up at me with a sweet, dazzling smile.

"Hey, I forgot my umbrella. Mind if I share yours?"

For some reason, my heart had skipped a beat, and my mind had gone completely blank. I just nodded like an idiot.

For a long time, I believed that was fate. A perfect, magical love at first sight.

It wasn't until after we got married that I discovered she had a first love—someone she couldn't forget.

And she had only married me to spite her parents.

I used to think that if I was just good enough to Chloe, I could eventually replace Julian in her heart. I thought I could build a happy home for us.

But it turned out to be nothing but a pathetic joke.

Lost in my thoughts, a familiar voice called out from behind me.

It was Chloe and Julian.

Seeing the heavy rain, Chloe complained cutely, "Ugh, why did the weather change so fast? It’s pouring. Do you have an umbrella?"

Julian looked around, his eyes instantly locking onto me.

"Oh, look, Chloe. Ethan is so sweet. He knows you hate the rain, so he’s been waiting here to call a cab for you."

It was rush hour, and with the terrible weather, the traffic was backed up. It was nearly impossible to get an Uber, let alone a regular cab.

But the car I had ordered had just pulled up right in front of us.

Chloe nodded in satisfaction.

"Just because you called a car doesn't mean I’ve forgiven you for what you did. You made Julian look like a fool in front of the press. We’ll settle that bill when we get home."

"But since you were useful for once, I won't argue with you right now. And about your little tantrum earlier—I'll pretend I never heard you say you wanted to resign."

With that, she reached for the car door, gesturing for Julian to get in with her.

Julian gave me a hesitant, smug look. "Is this really okay? After all, Ethan called this car for you. It feels a bit rude for me to just hop in."

Chloe didn't hesitate. "It's a big car, there’s plenty of room. Plus, how long are you going to wait out here in the cold?"

"He can just call another one."

Just as Chloe’s hand touched the door handle, I slid past her and hopped straight into the front passenger seat.

"Who said I called this car for you guys?"

"Stop flattering yourselves."

I gave the driver the last four digits of my number, and the car smoothly pulled away, leaving the two of them standing frozen in the pouring rain.