Chapter 4

Hearing Carter's voice on the line, Ethan's body instantly went rigid.

He gently untangled himself from my embrace.

"Is it work?"

"If it's urgent, you should go."

Carter was a workaholic just like me. His brain was 100% occupied by work. Not only did he grind, but he also expected everyone else to grind. Sometimes he’d text me spreadsheets at midnight.

But I had promoted him specifically so he could take over my position. Now that he was ready, he needed to start handling things independently.

Besides, Leo's Parent-Teacher Conference was this afternoon. I absolutely couldn't miss it.

I shook my head and declined Carter's request over the phone.

"The real estate deal is basically wrapped up. The remaining stuff is just minor details. Handle it yourself, and just email me the meeting notes."

Carter grunted in agreement.

"Got it. I'll let you know if anything goes sideways."

The comments began scrolling rapidly.

[Wait, what? The workaholic wife actually declined a meeting? What’s going on?]

[Every time that little assistant called her, she used to run off. I honestly thought they had something going on.]

[Even Ethan is shocked. Look at the way he's looking at her right now.]

I turned to look at Ethan.

Sure enough, his eyes were wide with surprise. He clearly hadn't expected me to stay.

I hugged him again, leaning into his chest, wanting to pick up where we left off.

"Ethan, do you want to..."

To my surprise, Ethan gently pushed me back.

This was the first time he had ever rejected me.

He looked down, his voice slightly raspy.

"I'm sorry, El."

"The hospital just called. My mom's condition got worse."

"She might need emergency surgery this afternoon, and I have to go sign the consent forms. I'm afraid you'll have to handle Leo's school conference on your own."

Ethan's mother had always been in poor health. Thanks to advanced medical tech and the private doctors the family hired, she had been stable for the past few years. But if Ethan was this worried, it had to be serious.

I immediately agreed.

"Go. You head to the hospital, and I'll go to Leo's school. Don't worry, your mom is going to be fine."

After setting the plan, Ethan and I went our separate ways.

Leo's school was in the city center, which was a bit of a drive from our suburban estate. After eating, I jumped into my SUV and started driving.

According to GPS, I would arrive about thirty minutes early.

But halfway there, the chat comments popped up again.

[Attention, everyone!]

[We have finally reached the plot twist! The male lead is about to meet our sunshine girl today!]

[Chloe works at the very hospital where Ethan's mom is admitted.]

[As the lead doctor, Chloe won't just save his mom with her incredible medical skills; she’s also going to warm Ethan's lonely heart with her bright personality.]

[Ethan has been iced out by his wife for so long. How could he not fall for someone as warm and sweet as Chloe?]

[The chemistry between them is going to be off the charts. Get ready for some major romance, guys!]

...

The female lead.

The girl the comments claimed was Ethan's destiny.

Was she really appearing today?

And were they really going to... fall in love?

Reading those comments, my chest tightened. My mind went completely blank for a split second.

In my daze, my hands slipped on the steering wheel.

The SUV veered off course, scraping violently against the guardrail with a loud screech of rubber on asphalt.

I gasped, slamming my foot hard onto the brakes—