Chapter 3

Julian took the iced drinks from the barista, his tone completely indifferent.

"Come on, Chloe. You know better than anyone that Ethan’s main chute had an issue. He would have cut it away immediately to save himself. That has to be someone else."

"Whoever that is, their main and reserve chutes must have both failed. What are the odds of that, one in a million? Sucks to be him, but he was doomed."

Hearing his callous words, I swung my ghostly fist right at his smug face.

If it weren’t for this manipulative parasite, I wouldn’t be floating here as a corpse.

Unfortunately, my fist passed straight through him.

Chloe slowly snapped out of her daze. "Right... Ethan isn't stupid. If the main fails, he’d deploy the reserve instantly. Plus, he called me earlier. I'm just overthinking."

Julian handed her a cup with a sweet, comforting smile.

"To be honest, Chloe... I don’t think Ethan ever really loved you. If he did, why wouldn’t he give up a dangerous hobby for your peace of mind? I would do that for you in a heartbeat."

Chloe didn't answer. She took a slow sip through her straw.

Julian slid closer, taking her free hand and pressing it against his cheek.

"Chloe, I’m right here. Break up with him and be with me."

"I’d give up everything for you—even my life. Ethan could never say that."

Chloe remained quiet, but I saw the emotional conflict in her eyes.

She sighed faintly. "I wish he thought like you."

At that exact moment, the café door was kicked open. Faye Morgan—my fellow jumper and closest friend—marched straight toward them and slapped Chloe across the face.

*SMACK!*

"Chloe, you absolute monster!" Faye screamed. "Ethan just plummeted into the ocean! His body isn’t even cold, and you’re already making out with Julian?!"

Chloe stumbled back, clutching her cheek in shock and terror. "What did you say?"

Julian reacted instantly, shoving Faye hard enough to send her tumbling over a table.

"Are you insane?!" he yelled. "Ethan sent you to pull this stunt, didn’t he? Just because he’s mad at Chloe doesn’t give him the right to fake his own death! Using suicide threats to manipulate her? Is that what you call love?!"

A surge of anger replaced Chloe's panic. Holding her stinging cheek, she glared at Faye.

"Faye! I was actually worried about him for a second! But if he has the energy to stage a cheap drama like this with you, I’m done caring!"

"He wants to see me cry? A coward like him could drop dead for real, and I wouldn't shed a single tear! Tell him to stay away! In fact, tell him never to come home!"

Julian nodded smugly.

"It’s pathetic. If Ethan really had an accident, event officials would have contacted Chloe first! Your little scam is so transparent."

"Faking his death to steal Chloe back from me? Desperate."

Hearing Julian’s validation, Chloe sneered, fully convinced of her own delusion.

Right in front of Faye, she pulled out her phone and fired off a voice note to my number:

"Ethan, I see through your pathetic game. You have thirty minutes to show up in front of me, or we’re done for good."

"Threatening me with your death? Ridiculous. I already promised to marry you after this event—what more do you want from me?!"

She sent the message while I stood inches away from her. Listening to her bitter voice, a hollow laugh escaped my chest.

I was standing right there. She just couldn't see me. Even when the rest of the world knew I was dead, Julian’s smooth lies were enough to blind her.

Julian had always mattered more to her than me.

Tears spilled down Faye’s face. "Chloe, you are pure evil! Ethan was cursed the day he fell for you! Even in death, you won't stop spitting on his name!"

By now, a crowd of my fans and furious sports bettors had gathered outside the café, pounding on the glass windows.

"That’s her! She's the one who messed with Ethan!"

"Her fiancé dies and she’s already cozying up to her side piece! Shameless bitch!"

Faye roared through her tears, "Chloe! An eye for an eye! Neither of you will get away with this!"

Several ruined gamblers shoved their way into the shop.

"Ethan should have won today! You two stole his championship and murdered him!"

"You deserve to die with him!"

Julian scoffed at the angry mob. "Wow, Ethan actually hired paid actors? He sure threw some cash around. Guess that’s what nine championships buy you."

Chloe stepped in front of Julian defensively, sneering at the crowd.

"Still acting? I get it now, Ethan! You’re hiding somewhere nearby watching this, aren't you?"

"Good thing the police are here! I’ll have them arrest every single one of your hired thugs! Let's see how long you can hide!"

Two police officers pushed through the crowd into the café. Chloe opened her mouth to complain, but the lead detective pulled out his badge and addressed her coldly:

"Chloe Miller? Security cameras caught you tampering with Ethan Cole’s parachute rig prior to the jump. We need you to come down to the station for questioning."

Chloe froze, her pupils dilating in sheer terror.

"Wait... who did you say died?"