He Once Called Me Dull

I tamed my wild self for Ethan Shaw, enduring three years in silence just for his love.

Then I overheard him confessing to his friends.

Vivian's so dull now. I miss the old her.

He even gave my mother's heirloom to Fiona, who humiliated me, and let her smash it to pieces.

In a fire, he abandoned me to save her. I died inside, took my trust fund, and left for Zurich.

When he chased me to Zurich begging for another chance, he didn't know I'd already placed my engagement ring on someone else's finger.

He held the shattered bracelet and said "I love you."

I just smiled and took my fianc's arm.

"Sorry, I don't pick up trash."

Vivian POV

I was once the most spoiled heiress in this city.

In the Hayes family's heyday, our hillside mansion hosted parties every night, and our yacht gatherings lit up half the city's sky.

I lived boldly and freely, driving limited edition supercars, bidding against rivals at auctions for paintings. All with the bright, unpolished pride of someone who'd never been broken.

Then I turned twenty four, and the Hayes empire collapsed without warning.

The funding chain broke, auditors moved in, my father jumped from the top floor of the corporate building, and my mother's heart gave out before they could save her.

The people who once fawned over me instantly showed their true faces.

Overnight, I fell from the highest heights to the lowest depths. I rented a room in a noisy old building and witnessed the full spectrum of human coldness.

Just when I was pushed to the edge, my longtime rival Ethan Shaw found me.

He reached out his hand, his eyes reddening.

"Come with me. From now on, I'll protect you."

We used to compete openly and secretly, never yielding to each other. Everyone's favorite topic of gossip.

I never expected that when I hit rock bottom, the first person to extend a hand would be him.

After that, everyone said I was lucky. First my parents treasured me like a jewel, and even after losing everything, I still had someone like Ethan protecting me.

So for him, I began to rein in my bold, arrogant personality, dulled all my sharp edges, became gentle, obedient, and considerate, loving him with my whole heart.

But the Shaw family always thought I was too unruly. They made me go to church every month to pray for Ethan, staying there all day until my legs went numb and nearly lost all feeling.

This routine continued for three whole years.

This time, Ethan's mother's attitude finally softened.

"Alright, after you finish praying today, you won't need to come next month."

My heart pounded.

"You mean..."

"You've been well-behaved these three years. Rain or shine, you've never missed coming to pray for Ethan. I can see you truly care for him."

Mrs. Shaw said coolly,

"At the next family dinner, have Ethan bring you along. We'll discuss your wedding together."

So, does this mean the Shaw family has accepted me?

A wave of bittersweet joy surged through me. I cried tears of happiness, eager to share this good news with Ethan.

Learning he was still at the office, I hailed a cab and rushed over.

Before I even reached his office, I heard Ethan laughing with a few of his childhood friends.

My lips curved into a smile. I was about to push the door open when I caught the content of their teasing and froze.

"I've got to hand it to you, Ethan! You actually managed to tame the wild Miss Hayes. Made her so docile. Who would've believed Vivian Hayes could be as obedient as a kitten?"

"That's because Ethan deliberately competed with Vivian for everything back then to get her attention. But after the Hayes family went bankrupt, instead of turning his back on her like everyone else, he took her in. How could Vivian not fall for him?"

"But seriously, Vivian has really changed for you these past three years. I heard even your notoriously difficult mother has warmed up to her. At this rate, you two should be getting married soon, right?"

After the question, there was silence for a few seconds before Ethan's hesitant voice came through.

"About marriage... we'll see."

"What, you're having second thoughts? Don't want Vivian anymore?"

"It's not that. I still love her, but..."

Ethan paused, his tone complicated.

"She's become a bit too docile, too... boring now."

"Boring?"

"Now she cooks for me and hides her burned hands so I won't notice. My mom deliberately tests her patience, and even when her knees get injured from standing too long, she never complains to me."

I stood frozen.

To spare him guilt and heartache, I'd never shown him those repeatedly burned hands or injured knees. I'd never uttered a single complaint.

I thought I'd hidden it all so well.

But in reality, he knew everything?

"Isn't that good though? She does all this for you. It shows she's completely devoted to you."

"I know she does it all for me."

Ethan frowned.

"But the old Vivian would've turned the entire Shaw family upside down. She never would've accepted this kind of treatment."

I heard Ethan say slowly,

"Compared to who she is now, I loved the old her better. Vibrant and eye catching, bold and radiant. Now she's so quiet and obedient that I find her...boring."

As those words fell, not only did the people in the office freeze, but my blood seemed to freeze too.

Boring.

He knew I'd changed my bold, spoiled nature and endured all the humiliation for him.

But he said this version of me made him feel... bored?

"I heard you've been getting pretty close to that Fiona girl these past two months?"

Ethan neither confirmed nor denied it, but his voice held a hint of interest.

"Fiona's quite... interesting. At the horse track, she dared to bet recklessly against me to win first place. For a Monet painting, she fought me tooth and nail. Watching her reminds me of the old Vivian."

"Vivian can't stand even a grain of sand in her eye. If you get too close to another woman, watch out. She might dump you in anger."

"She won't."

Ethan said with confident certainty,

"She knows she's not the Miss Hayes she used to be. She has nothing left except me. Without me, she'd be even less than nothing."

Just then, Ethan's phone rang.

"Gotta go. Fiona invited me sailing tonight. It's about time."

I heard chairs scraping inside.

I instinctively stepped back, quickly hiding in the shadows around the corner.

I watched Ethan walk out of the office with one hand in his pocket, hurrying along while answering his phone, his tone holding an interest and pleasure I hadn't heard in a long time.

"Got it, Miss Fiona. I'll be right there. I promise you'll have a great time tonight."

Vivian POV

I don't know how I left. When I came to my senses, I was standing by the shore.

Not far away, on the deck of a speedboat at the harbor, stood two familiar, striking figures.

The woman wore a fire-red halter dress, her arms intimately wrapped around the man's neck, practically hanging off him.

The man stood tall with sharp features, wearing a dark shirt, one hand loosely around her waist as he looked down, teasing her about something.

That man. Who else could it be but Ethan?

And the woman in the red dress in his arms...

Even from a distance, I could never mistake her. It was Fiona.

I stood there frozen, my mind drifting back to three years ago when I was forced to move into that old building. Fiona had brought several socialites to find me and pressed me hard against the filthy ground.

Fiona crouched beside me, slapping my face until it swelled red, saying with smug superiority,

"Vivian Hayes, bet you never saw this coming. Now it's your turn to fall."

"In the past, you were so high and mighty. No matter how much I flattered and fawned over you, you looked down on me and gave me attitude. Did you ever think you'd have a day when I'd be stepping on you?"

"Looking at you now really makes me feel good."

That was when Ethan found me.

Seeing me humiliated by Fiona and the others, his eyes looked murderous, as if he wanted to tear them apart.

After driving Fiona and her group away, he pulled me up and held me tight, saying over and over,

"I'm sorry. I came too late."

My phone suddenly buzzed with a message notification, interrupting my memories.

I took it out.

On the screen was a message from Ethan:

"Vivian, I have an important business dinner tonight with some overseas clients. Don't wait up. Get some rest."

I stared at those words, then looked up toward the speedboat.

Ethan tossed his phone onto the cushions beside him, then lowered his head and kissed Fiona as she tilted her face up.

The scene pierced my chest like a sharp blade.

Three years ago, after Ethan drove Fiona away and took me from that old building, I saw him as my salvation, the only plank of wood to cling to while drowning.

But now, that plank had grown thorns, tearing me bloody.

The hand that once pulled me from the mire was now personally pushing me into an even deeper abyss.

Why, Ethan?

Why did your affair have to be with Fiona, of all people?

After returning to the Bayshore villa, I found a baseball bat and, filled with rage and pain, destroyed the entire living room.

The next day when Ethan came home, this was the scene that greeted him.

All the vases were shattered into countless pieces, lamps toppled over, cups, plates, fruit bowls, magazines, and flowers scattered across the floor.

The entire living room had become a wasteland overnight, so chaotic there was barely room to step.

And I lay motionless on the couch in the ruins.

Ethan didn't know what had happened.

"Vivian?"

Thinking something had happened to me, he rushed over anxiously and worried.

I was startled awake. My lashes fluttered as I slowly opened my eyes.

"You're home."

Seeing me open my eyes and wake up, Ethan breathed a sigh of relief.

"What happened?"

He helped me sit up, crouching in front of me, puzzled.

"Why does the house look like this? Did someone break in?"

"No."

I said flatly,

"I smashed it."

Ethan looked stunned.

"...You?"

I didn't answer. My eyes rested on his handsome face.

"Why are you only coming home now?"

Guilt flashed through his eyes. Ethan tugged at his tie and said,

"I drank too much with clients last night, so I crashed at a nearby hotel."

I looked at him and smiled.

"Is that so?"

Vivian POV

Ethan shifted uncomfortably under my gaze. He took my hand and frowned.

"Vivian, what's wrong with you?"

"Let me ask you."

I looked directly into his eyes, not missing any emotion in them.

"Were you really at a business dinner with clients last night?"

Ethan's brow furrowed.

"What are you implying? You don't trust me?"

I didn't reveal that I'd seen everything last night. Instead, I said,

"I want to trust you, but your assistant said you didn't have any business dinner last night."

I wanted to give him a chance to confess voluntarily and show remorse.

But instead, Ethan's face darkened instantly.

"You went behind my back to ask my assistant about my schedule?"

His displeasure stunned me.

"Vivian Hayes, we're not married yet."

His tone carried obvious anger.

"You have no right to check my work schedule with my assistant!"

Those words drove into my heart like an ice pick.

In the three years we'd been together, Ethan had never shown me any displeasure, much less said such hurtful things.

My breathing hitched. I dug my fingernails into my palms to steady my trembling voice.

"That's because you lied to me first."

"What did I lie to you about?"

Ethan stood up, looking down at me from above.

"I did have a business dinner last night. My assistant just didn't know about it."

"Really? Then who were you dining with?"

Ethan pressed his lips into a hard line, his gaze even angrier and darker.

Before he could speak, I answered for him.

"It was Fiona, wasn't it?"

"How do you know?"

Ethan looked stunned and surprised for two seconds, then grew angry at being caught.

"Did you have someone follow me?"

I pulled my lips into a bitter smile.

He continued, "Yes, I was with Fiona last night. But that's because the Parker family has a project they want to collaborate with us on. She's the person in charge from their side. There were details we needed to finalize in person, that's all!"

"But you know what she did when I was at my lowest three years ago, how she brought people to humiliate me. And now you're getting involved with her?"

Even if he had fallen for someone else, why did it have to be her?

He could like anyone. Why did it have to be the woman who once stepped on me?

My eyes gradually reddened. I curved my lips in mockery.

"Or have you already forgotten what she did to me three years ago?"

Ethan froze for two seconds, looking somewhat uncomfortable and awkward.

"What she did three years ago was wrong, but it's been so long. If I refused to work with the Parker family because of that conflict, my parents would be furious when they found out. They'd accuse us of mixing personal feelings with business."

He paused, then added,

"Besides, everyone has a time when they're young and foolish. Fiona has changed. She's not like she was three years ago."

Hearing him finish, I could hardly believe my ears.

I remembered after he took me in, there was once a man who had business dealings with the Shaw family company. At a banquet, he got handsy with me and made lewd comments, telling me to be with him.

That man had his hand chopped off by Ethan in public.

Back then, Ethan hadn't worried about being accused of mixing personal with professional.

Looking at this man making excuses with his parents and even defending Fiona, I felt like I was meeting him for the first time.

"Besides, my relationship with her is purely professional. Nothing more."

Ethan looked at me, his features colder and more displeased.

"Vivian, why are you being so paranoid now? Can't you learn from those sensible, generous wives and not be suspicious about everything?"

Learn from those sensible, generous wives. Be more understanding.

I suddenly wanted to laugh, but my throat was too choked to make a sound.

I looked at the collar of his shirt. I could clearly see, near his collarbone, an intimate hickey mark, faint but visible.

That mark was vivid and glaring, like a silent mockery.

A chill spread from deep in my heart to all my limbs. My heart twisted so painfully I could barely breathe.

I thought again of every word he'd said in that office.

So this was the result of abandoning my pride, smoothing my edges, and begging for three years.

But Ethan, did you really think I couldn't live without you?

Vivian POV

I looked at Ethan. After a moment, I nodded.

"Fine."

With that, I stood up and walked past him and the mess on the floor toward the stairs without another word.

"Vivian..."

He instinctively moved to follow. Just then, his phone rang in his pocket.

Ethan paused, pulling out his phone.

He frowned, staring at the caller ID, then looked up toward the stairs.

After two seconds of hesitation, he answered the call.

"Hello?"

On the other end, Fiona's soft, slightly petulant voice came through.

"Mr. Shaw, why'd you leave in such a hurry? You forgot your watch at my place. Should I bring it to you?"

Ethan froze, looking at his bare wrist, his brow furrowing.

"No need. I'll come get it myself."

Upstairs in the master bedroom.

I watched him leave and let out a cold laugh.

I closed the door, walked to the bedside, and opened the hidden safe embedded in the wall, taking out what was inside.

Ethan knew about this safe and knew the password was my birthday.

But he thought it only contained my documents and some of my parents' belongings, so he never asked about it and never opened it.

What he didn't know was that besides those items, the safe also held an overseas trust fund agreement.

This was a trust fund my parents had set up for me abroad before they died. Even when the Hayes family went bankrupt three years ago, this asset wasn't affected by the liquidation.

This was the safety net my parents left me.

I held that agreement, my mind replaying my mother's earnest words before she passed.

"Vivian, remember this: no matter how much you love someone in the future, never give yourself completely... The human heart is the most unreliable thing, especially a man's heart. Sooner or later, it will always change."

I used to think loving someone meant giving everything without reservation. Only today did I understand. Mother was right.

I squeezed my eyes shut hard, pushing all my thoughts and rising bitterness back down into my heart.

Perhaps it was time for me to leave.

When I came downstairs again, the living room had been completely restored.

The maids Ethan arranged were cleaning, and new vases and furniture were being brought in piece by piece, but he himself was nowhere to be seen.

I didn't ask the maids anything and left the villa directly.

"Hello, I'd like to process immigration paperwork."

At the immigration office, I submitted all my documents. After processing everything, the staff member said,

"Your application has been submitted. You'll be notified of the results within twenty business days."

"Thank you."

After leaving the immigration office building, it was already dark. The streets were lit with colorful neon lights.

I had no desire to return to Bayshore, so I took out my phone and called a few old friends.

They were incredulous when they received my call.

"Vivian?"

"It's me."

I curved my lips slightly.

"Call the gang together. My treat. Let's all cut loose tonight."

"Wow, is the sun rising in the west? Ever since you got together with Ethan, you said you wanted to be a good woman and never go out partying again, didn't you?"

"Cut the crap. See you at the usual place."

I had only dulled all my edges for Ethan, learning to be dignified, learning to be docile, learning to be submissive, becoming what the Shaw family expected.

And yet he said I was boring and went chasing after another vibrant, bold shadow.

Now that I'd decided to give up on him, there was no need to please anyone for his sake anymore.

Two hours later, in a VIP room at the club.

Just as the atmosphere in the room reached its peak.

BANG.

The door was kicked open from outside.

The room instantly fell silent. Everyone looked toward the door in shock.

"E-Ethan?"

There stood Ethan's tall figure, his handsome face so dark it could drip water.

His gaze swept the room and finally locked onto me, surrounded by several male models.

His eyes looked murderous.

"Vivian Hayes, you actually dare come here looking for men? What the hell are you doing?"

Vivian POV

Before anyone could react, Ethan strode into the room with a chilling aura and yanked me up from among the male models.

I glared at him furiously.

"What are you doing? Let go!"

Ethan ignored me, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room.

"All of you, get out."

His tone was cold and commanding, brooking no argument.

No one dared say a word. They scrambled out of the room.

In seconds, only the two of us remained.

I angrily shook off his hand.

"Ethan, what do you want?"

Ethan looked down at me, suddenly pulling his lips into a smile that wasn't quite a smile.

"What do I want?"

He repeated,

"Because you're upset about my business with the Parker family, you dare come to a place like this looking for male models? Vivian Hayes, where did all that obedience and propriety you learned over three years go?"

I was fine until he brought it up.

Mentioning it made a fire surge up from my heart, burning through all my organs.

I laughed coldly, looking him straight in the eye and throwing his own words back at him.

"Ethan, we're not married yet. I can do whatever I want. You have no right to control me."

Those words completely ignited Ethan's suppressed fury.

"I have no right?"

He laughed in anger, suddenly pressing me into the wide leather couch behind me.

I was caught off guard, my back hitting the soft leather.

Before I could react, his body was already bearing down on me, trapping me firmly between the couch and his chest.

"What are you doing?"

I struggled violently, pushing and kicking him with everything I had.

"Get off me!"

Ethan easily restrained my flailing hands with one hand, pinning them above my head.

"Looks like I've been too busy lately and haven't satisfied you properly, which is why you got the idea to go looking for other men."

"You bastard! Let go!"

My angry curses were silenced by his lips.

The kiss was punishing, brutal, with no tenderness whatsoever.

I desperately turned my head to dodge, but he gripped my jaw firmly with his other hand, immobilizing me.

In the chaos, I heard the crisp sound of a metal buckle being undone.

My pupils contracted sharply as an ominous premonition rose in my heart.

"Ethan, you wouldn't dare!"

"Watch me."

He was breathing hard, his eyes completely red.

"Since you don't remember the rules, I'll remind you right now what happens when you go looking for other men."

Before he finished speaking, he pressed down hard.

I instantly tensed my entire body, every sound stuck in my throat, the pain making my vision go black.

Pure possession and punishment. I felt utterly humiliated.

"Bastard... you bastard! Ethan, let me go! I'll kill you!"

With my limbs pinned down, I cried out, tears rolling down uncontrollably.

But my struggles and curses only earned me rougher treatment.

I don't know how long it lasted. It felt like an entire century.

Finally, it stopped.

Ethan leaned down and bit my earlobe.

"Remember this feeling. Will you dare again?"

I lay limp on the couch, my eyes red and swollen from crying.

He reached up to brush the hair from my face, his tone softening slightly.

"Vivian, don't blame me. I just love you too much. Seeing you with other men drives me crazy. So don't try to provoke me like this again, okay?"

I was actually amused by his shameless words.

I opened my mouth, about to speak.

Just then, panicked shouts came faintly from outside.

"Fire! The room next door is on fire!"

"Run!"

"There's someone still inside... it's Miss Parker! Miss Parker is still in there!"

The man who had been lying on top of me murmuring sweet words suddenly stiffened.

"Vivian, I have an emergency. I need to leave for a bit. Wait here for me. Don't go anywhere. I'll be right back!"

Vivian POV

Before he finished speaking, Ethan's figure had already rushed out. The door was pushed open then slammed shut.

I raised my hand to wipe my face, forcibly pushing down all the bitterness and grievance.

I tried hard to calm my emotions, telling myself it was just like being bitten.

Then, having barely managed to make myself presentable, a burning smell grew stronger and stronger in my nostrils.

Realizing something, my face changed drastically. I jerked my head up.

Thick smoke was seeping continuously under the door.

My heart tightened. I could no longer care about my body's pain and stumbled toward the door, yanking it open.

But the scene outside made my face go white with terror.

The hallway was already a sea of flames. Heat waves and thick black smoke hit me in the face, making me cough violently and tears stream down.

"Cough cough... help! Is anyone there... cough cough cough!"

I covered my nose and mouth, calling for help. Through the rolling smoke and flames, I caught sight of a familiar tall figure at the end of the hallway.

Like grasping at a lifeline, I instinctively called out to that retreating back.

"Ethan... Ethan! Save..."

Before I could finish, I saw more clearly. He was carrying a woman in his arms.

That woman. Who else could it be but Fiona?

And Ethan, holding Fiona, disappeared at the end of the hallway through the flames and smoke without looking back.

I froze, suddenly feeling cold from head to toe.

I could hardly believe that the man who had just been on top of me taking everything he wanted was now carrying another woman away, forgetting me completely.

This was what he called loving me too much?

How ironic. How laughable.

I wanted to laugh but couldn't make a sound. The instinct to survive took over everything else.

I couldn't die here. Absolutely not!

I quickly reacted, turned back to find a blanket, soaked it in water and wrapped it around myself. But just as I was about to rush out the door, a burning beam crashed down, hitting me square in the back.

I stumbled and fell to the ground. I'd inhaled too much smoke through my nose and mouth, and my consciousness gradually blurred until my vision went completely black.

I don't know how long passed before I opened my eyes again to hear a nurse asking,

"You're awake? How do you feel? Any dizziness or nausea?"

My throat was terribly hoarse.

"Water..."

The nurse quickly poured a cup of warm water and carefully helped me drink a few sips.

The warm water soothed my dry, painful throat, easing the discomfort slightly.

Just then, my phone on the bedside table rang.

I looked at the caller ID, my expression completely blank, picked up the phone, and answered, bringing it to my ear.

"Vivian Hayes!"

On the other end, Ethan's angry voice demanded,

"Where did you run off to? Why haven't you come home all night?"

I pulled my lips into a faint smile, my voice hoarse.

"If I had died in last night's fire, you probably wouldn't have known. Whether I come home or not probably doesn't matter to you anyway, does it?"

Ethan paused for two seconds.

"What do you mean by that?"

I didn't want to answer him anymore. I simply hung up.

Then I looked up at the nurse.

"I want to process my discharge."

"Uh, in your condition, it's better to stay for observation for two more days..."

"I'm fine now."

I shook my head, my attitude firm.

"Please help me with the paperwork. Thank you."

Ever since my parents died, I'd been especially averse to hospitals because places like this brought back too many painful memories.

Besides, my injuries weren't particularly severe. There was no need to stay hospitalized.

The nurse had no choice but to process my discharge.

Walking out of the hospital entrance, I was about to hail a cab when a familiar black car screeched to a stop in front of me.

Ethan pushed open the car door and pulled me into his arms.

His remorseful, guilty voice filled my ear.

"Vivian, I'm sorry. I had an emergency last night and had to leave. I only just found out you were trapped in that fire and were rescued by a passerby and sent to the hospital."

Smelling the unfamiliar perfume on him, the scene of him carrying Fiona out of the fire flashed through my mind again. Nausea and coldness rose from the pit of my stomach.

"Don't come near me!"

I pushed him away.

Ethan looked taken aback, frowning at me.

"Vivian, are you mad at me?"

I was about to speak."Stop being angry. Last night was my fault. Let me make it up to you, okay?"

He spoke first, trying to placate me.

"Didn't you say you haven't been horseback riding in a while? Tomorrow I'll cancel all my work and take you to the stables, okay?"

Vivian POV

I thought his words were just empty appeasement, but unexpectedly, the next day Ethan actually cancelled his work, dragged me out, and brought me to the stables.

When I walked out of the changing room in riding attire, Ethan was already waiting at the door.

He wore a black riding outfit, his posture straight and tall.

Seeing me come out, he smiled and was about to step forward to take my hand when an ill-timed female voice rang out.

"What a coincidence, Mr. Shaw. You're here riding too?"

Fiona, dressed in red riding attire with her hair pulled high and makeup impeccable, walked toward us.

Ethan's brow furrowed slightly. He instinctively looked at me. When I said nothing, he turned to Fiona.

"What are you doing here?"

Fiona raised an eyebrow, her red lips curving.

"The stables aren't owned by your family. If you can come here, why can't I?"

Ethan was rendered speechless. He turned to look at me, his tone softening.

"Vivian, I know you don't like her, but the Parker family has an important project in negotiation with us right now. Try not to make a fuss, okay?"

I said coolly,

"She's right. The stables aren't owned by my family. If she wants to come, I have no right to stop her."

Hearing this, Ethan took it as my agreement and didn't give it another thought.

Staff members led over two gentle thoroughbreds. We each mounted and walked along the edge of the track.

Just then, the sound of hoofbeats approached from far to near.

Fiona rode up on a jet-black stallion, reining in beside Ethan, its tail swishing high.

Her face wore a challenging smile.

"Ethan, dare to race me? Same rules as always. Loser buys dinner tonight."

That competitive spirit in Ethan instantly ignited.

"Why would I be afraid?"

He turned to look at me, his tone casual.

"Vivian, ride a couple laps by yourself. I'll race Fiona."

With that, not waiting for my response, he spurred his horse and shot forward.

Fiona laughed playfully and urged her horse to follow.

The two horses chased each other, one ahead and one behind, on the track.

That competitive spirit reminded me of years ago, when Ethan and I were this city's most notorious rivals. We chased each other just like this, neither giving an inch.

Back then, Ethan's eyes were full of competitive desire, and an intense interest in my bold, radiant demeanor. A desire to conquer.

And now, he showed that same interest toward another woman.

I suddenly found it all pointless.

I rode alone for less than two laps before dismounting, handing the reins to a staff member, and walking to sit under a parasol in the rest area.

A server brought lemon water. I'd just taken a sip when a figure in red sat down across from me.

"Why is Miss Hayes sitting here all alone?"

Fiona looked at me with a smile.

"Don't tell me Ethan ditched you and you're upset?"

I set down my glass and said nothing.

Fiona didn't care. She continued on her own.

"Thinking back to how glorious you used to be, Miss Hayes. Who in this city didn't have to watch your moods? I tried so many times to get close to you, but you wouldn't even give me a proper glance."

She paused, leaning forward, her eyes filled with undisguised malice.

"But what about now? You're not even worthy of carrying my shoes. You can't even hold onto your own man. How pathetic. But then again, men all love novelty."

My fingers tightened slightly around the glass. I looked up at her.

"Are you done?"

Fiona laughed smugly.

"You probably don't know this yet, but Ethan told me that compared to you, I'm the one who makes his heart race now."

I suddenly smiled.

"Fiona, do you like relying on imitating others to pick up their leftovers?"

Fiona's expression changed.

"What do you mean?"

"I remember you weren't always like this. Not your personality or how you dress."

I smiled but not quite.

"You used to never catch Ethan's eye. Only by imitating the old me did you finally attract his attention. Truly befitting of your lowly origins. Always so unable to rise to the occasion."

"You!"

Fiona shot to her feet, humiliation and rage surging in her eyes at being hit where it hurt.

"Vivian Hayes! You bitch!"

She raised her hand to slap me hard across the face.

My eyes turned cold, my movements faster than hers.

I caught Fiona's wrist, used the momentum to stand, and delivered a resounding slap with my other hand.

Fiona's head snapped to the side, a clear handprint quickly appearing on her face.

"Vivian Hayes!"

An angry shout came from nearby.

Ethan had obviously seen what just happened. He strode over, grabbed my arm, and yanked me away.

"What are you doing?!"

His grip was so strong I stumbled back several steps, then twisted my ankle. Sharp pain shot through it.

I sucked in a breath, cold sweat breaking out on my forehead from the pain.

But Ethan didn't even look at me.

He walked to Fiona, looked at her swollen cheek, anger flaring up instantly.

"Vivian Hayes, have you lost your mind? If you have something to say, can't you talk it out? Why did you have to hit her?"

I was about to explain when Ethan turned to Fiona again.

"Come on, I'll take you to get some ice for your face."

Then he supported Fiona as they left. From beginning to end, he never looked back at me once, never asked if I was okay.

I stood alone, waves of pain radiating from my ankle, yet it couldn't compare to the pain in my heart.

I thought I'd already given up on this man, that my heart would hold no more expectations for him.

But when he openly protected another woman, my heart still felt like it was being stabbed with needles.

Fine.

I thought, the more he cares about another woman, the less regret I'll have when I leave.