On the day his mistress pushed me down the stairs and caused my miscarriage, I received a FaceTime call. It was from Ethan Vance. But he was calling from three years ago. He looked at me through the screen, his eyes bright with excitement. “Chloe. How are you? Are we married now?” “Do we have kids?” I didn’t say a word. I clicked play on an audio message I had just received. Ethan’s heavy panting filled the quiet room, mixed with another woman’s soft, breathless moans. The young Ethan on the screen froze. “I’m not doing well at all,” I said, my voice dead and flat. “The Carter family went bankrupt. My parents jumped from the penthouse of our Manhattan building.” “And I just lost our baby because of another woman.” “While you sent me a recording of you with her.” “Ethan, I’m going to divorce the future you.” The sound of a man’s heavy breathing echoed from my phone. It was a voice I knew all too well. And the Ethan from three years ago, on the other end of the screen, knew it even better. It was his own voice. From the future. “Ethan…” Then, the woman’s soft moan chimed in. The young man on the screen couldn’t take it anymore. He covered his ears, the blue veins on his forehead bulging in anger. “No. That’s impossible. I love you so much, Chloe. How could I ever do something like that in the future?” He stumbled to his feet. He walked over to his bedroom door, but he consciously softened his footsteps, trying not to make a sound. He gently cracked the door open. Inside, the three-years-younger version of me was fast asleep. He looked at me sleeping on the bed, his gaze so tender it could melt ice. Afraid to wake me from my dream, he whispered to the camera. “Look, Chloe. We love each other so much.” “Affairs? Miscarriage? None of that makes sense.” “You’re just making this up to scare me, right?” I looked at his desperate expression and let out a self-deprecating laugh. “I wish it were a lie.” “But just today, Sienna Brooks pushed me down the stairs.” “And the future you? He’s by her side right now.” “He even sent me this recording.” Ethan and I got married two years ago. I had prayed for this baby for so long. But today, it was gone. My husband had helped the killer to her feet while I lay on the floor, bleeding out. He had merely ordered his assistant to call an ambulance for me. Then, he carried Sienna in his arms and rushed to the hospital. The young Ethan’s eyes widened, tears slowly rolling down his cheeks. “But Chloe… I’m already planning my proposal to you.” “If I’m destined to treat you like this in the future…” “Should I even ask you to marry me?” I leaned against the cold hospital bed, staring at him. I didn’t know the answer either. Or rather, if the me from three years ago knew what today would look like… Would I still choose to marry him? The doorknob rattled from the outside. I panicked and hung up the call. The door opened, and the present-day Ethan walked in. He sat down opposite me. He looked at me, his eyes devoid of any warmth. “Sienna wanted to apologize to you.” “But she sprained her ankle, so she couldn’t walk over.” “She didn’t mean to do it today.” “She wants you to not be mad at her.” I wanted to laugh, but I didn’t even have the strength for that. “You were standing right downstairs today, Ethan. You saw it, didn’t you?” I stared into his eyes, desperately begging for a sliver of truth. “You saw her push me.” “And now she says she didn’t mean to?” “Are you not only lying to yourself, but trying to lie to me too?” “That was your baby too!” I placed my hands over my lower belly. The slight bump was completely gone now. Our baby had vanished from my world forever. Ethan took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose in exhaustion. “Stop making a scene, Chloe.” “She said it was an accident.” “I believe her.” “Besides, she hurt her ankle too.” “There’s no way she would risk her own safety just to hurt you, right?” My face froze. Tears blurred my vision. I couldn’t believe my ears. In his mind, Sienna’s sprained ankle was comparable to the loss of our child. I looked at the man before me, and suddenly, I had my answer. If the me from three years ago knew today would come… I would never, ever marry Ethan Vance.
He stood up, as if he had run out of his very last drop of patience. “I’m leaving. Get some rest.” “No one is watching Sienna upstairs. I’m not comfortable leaving her alone.” “I’m going to go take care of her.” He paused at the door. Then, he turned back to look at me. “Don’t be too sad.” “We can have other babies.” “Crying all the time isn’t good for your recovery.” With that, he left without a single backward glance. I stared at the empty, sterile hospital room and sank weakly into the bed. I was alone in this room too. But the only person he cared about, the only person he couldn’t leave alone, was Sienna. Two weeks later, I was discharged. During those two weeks, Ethan never came to see me. Even though Sienna and I were in the exact same hospital, he couldn’t spare a single minute for me. He only ordered his housekeeper to send over some soup twice a day. I didn’t even look at it. I dumped it all down the drain. Last night, Ethan sent me a text saying he would pick me up today. I waited until 5 PM, only to receive another message: “Working late. Go home by yourself.” I put my phone down and put on my coat. I should have stopped expecting anything from him a long time ago. When I unlocked the front door of our penthouse, the lights inside were blindingly bright. He and Sienna were in the living room, wrapped tightly in each other’s arms. Sienna was wearing one of his oversized white shirts, leaving her legs completely bare. He was holding her up, one arm wrapped around her waist. Her arms were looped around his neck. Their bodies were pressed so close there was no space between them. The sound of the door opening drew their attention. When Ethan saw me, he instinctively let go of her. Without his support, Sienna swayed and almost fell. Panic flashed across Ethan’s face, and he immediately grabbed her back into his arms. Then, he turned to me, offering a hasty explanation. “Sienna’s ankle still hasn’t fully healed. I was just helping her practice walking.” I didn’t say a word. I just walked past them. He hesitated for a second before adding, “My late meeting got canceled. I forgot to text you.” “Sorry.” Sienna stood on one leg, letting the hem of the shirt ride up provocatively. She looked at me with a pitiful, teary expression. “Chloe, are you okay now?” “I swear, what happened that day was a total accident.” “And I got hurt too. Thank God Ethan has been taking care of me 24/7.” Ethan helped her sit on the sofa and gently rubbed her back. “I already told her,” he whispered to Sienna. “Don’t worry. No one is blaming you.” Then, he turned his cold gaze back to me. “You’re back just in time.” “Sienna’s dress got dirty, so I let her borrow my shirt.” “Her dress is soaking in the sink. Go wash it for her.” I looked up, meeting his perfectly entitled expression. “Ethan, I literally just got discharged today.” “My body is still recovering. I can’t touch freezing water right now.” “Do you not know that?” Ethan’s brows furrowed in annoyance. “Sienna’s ankle is hurt, she can’t do it.” “And that dress is delicate silk. The washing machine will ruin it.” “Why are you being so dramatic? It’s just one dress.” I sat on the opposite armchair, motionless. “I won’t wash it.” “I am your legal wife, Ethan. Not your hired maid.” Ethan sneered, his voice dropping to a cold whisper. “A maid?” “Don’t flatter yourself, Chloe.” “The Carter family is bankrupt. You eat my food, spend my money, and live in my house.” “You used to be a big deal in New York high society, but if I throw you out of this house, it won’t look pretty.” “Be smart. It’s just a dress.” I walked into the bathroom and plunged my hands into the basin. The ice-cold water rushed over my fingers, and a sharp, biting pain shot through my joints. I bit my lower lip, rubbing the silk fabric gently. My tears dripped into the water, making tiny splashing sounds. After hanging the dress to dry, I went back to my bedroom. My hands were bright red and completely numb from the cold. Ethan was right. When you live under someone else’s roof, you have to bow your head. But I refused to live a life worse than a maid’s any longer. I sat at my desk and hesitated for a long time. Eventually, I pulled up a contact number hidden deep in my notes. It was the last card my parents had left me before they died. “Hello? Is this the butler of the London townhouse?” “I’m planning to move in. How long will it take to get the place ready?”
Ethan didn’t come home again until a week later. The moment he walked through the door, he handed me a garment bag with a designer evening gown. “It’s my dad’s birthday tonight. Come home with me.” I took it and turned to walk into my room. In his eyes, this was probably the only value I had left, acting as his perfect trophy wife for family events. It didn’t matter. It would all be over soon anyway. I followed Ethan back to the Vance family mansion. His father, Jason, was sitting on the sofa watching TV. His mother, Mandy, was busy in the kitchen. When she saw me walk in, she barely spared me a glance. She didn’t say a word. But the moment Sienna stepped out of the kitchen, everything changed. Mandy warmly took the platter from Sienna’s hands, her voice dripping with affection. “Oh, Sienna, sweetheart, don’t do all this heavy lifting.” “We don’t want you getting tired.” Jason stood up as well. “That’s right. Ethan is here now.” “Go sit down and talk to him.” I stood in the middle of the living room, feeling like an absolute stranger. Dinner was served at a small table near the kitchen corridor. The four of them sat face to face. I had to pull up a stray chair and squeeze in at the very edge, my plate barely fitting on the table. Mandy glanced at me, then deliberately asked, “Sienna, how are your parents doing?” Sienna smiled brightly. “They’re doing great, thank you for asking.” “They miss you guys so much.” Mandy nodded and scooped some steak onto Sienna’s and Ethan’s plates. “I wanted Ethan to marry you years ago.” “But this boy just wouldn’t listen.” “They say marriage should be between equals.” “Look at us now. Some families go bankrupt, lose all their status, and have nothing left.” “What a disaster.” I kept my head down, poking at the food on my plate. Since the Carter family went bankrupt, I had heard enough of these insults. I was used to it. Ethan paused, then cut a piece of steak and placed it on my plate. “Just eat,” he said. I was surprised and looked up at him. Mandy raised her voice. “What? Am I not allowed to tell the truth?” “If you hadn’t lost your mind back then, we wouldn’t be in this mess.” Ethan remained silent. Mandy’s gaze then drifted to my left wrist. I was wearing a vintage diamond bracelet that she had gifted me when we got married. “Chloe, that bracelet is a Vance family heirloom.” “I don’t mean anything by this, but…” “I’m just worried that your parents might have left behind some unpaid debts.” “If you end up selling that bracelet to pay off creditors, I wouldn’t be able to face Ethan’s grandmother in the afterlife.” I looked up. Everyone’s eyes were locked on me. The bracelet on my wrist suddenly felt like a ton of bricks. When Ethan and I married, my family hadn’t gone bankrupt. I was still the coveted heiress of New York. His parents hadn’t liked me, but they hadn’t openly opposed the marriage either. Now that the Carters were ruined, they immediately showed their true colors. I grabbed the clasp and yanked the bracelet off. The rough edges scratched my skin, leaving a stinging red mark. I placed it gently on the table. Mandy snatched it up immediately and handed it straight to Sienna. “Sienna, this suits you perfectly.” “Take it as a little gift from me.” I stood up, my chair scraping loudly against the hardwood floor. “Enjoy your dinner. I’m leaving.” As I reached the grand front door, I heard Ethan’s footsteps chasing after me. I hadn’t expected him to defend me in front of his parents earlier. And I certainly hadn’t expected him to run after me. I stood in the driveway, wiping my tears in a rush. When I turned around, he stopped in front of me. But instead of comfort, his first words were an accusation. “Chloe, do you have to make a scene and embarrass everyone?” I froze, my hand hovering in mid-air. It felt as if a lump was lodged in my throat, choking out any words I wanted to say.
“I told you, today is my dad’s birthday,” Ethan snapped. “Who are you throwing a tantrum for?” I stared at him in disbelief. “Did you not hear her?” “Your mother insulted me and my dead parents with every single word.” “You said this was a family dinner, yet Sienna is here.” “Your mother demanded her bracelet back just to give it to her.” “Does your family have no shame at all anymore?” Ethan looked at me, his eyes completely cold. “Chloe, do you have any idea how much of a mess your parents left behind?” “Everywhere I go, people laugh at me.” “They say I married into a ruined family.” “And you still have the nerve to throw a fit?” I let out a long breath, forcing my tears back. “Fine.” “I embarrassed your family.” “I’m an eyesore to your parents. I’ll leave.” “They like Sienna anyway.” “Perfect. The four of you can enjoy your family dinner.” With that, I turned around and walked into the night. Ethan didn’t come home that night. Whether he slept at the mansion or went to Sienna’s, I didn’t care anymore. My flight to London was in two days. Over the next forty-eight hours, I finalized all my travel arrangements. I packed my remaining belongings. I signed the divorce papers. Only the space next to my name, reserved for Ethan’s signature, remained blank. On the day of my departure, I received another FaceTime call from the Ethan of three years ago. He had dark circles under his eyes, and he looked completely exhausted. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days. I looked at him and smiled. “Ethan, I’m leaving.” “I’ve decided to divorce the future you.” He offered a weak smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Chloe… I’ve also decided to propose to the you of three years ago.” “I realized I can’t stop myself from loving you.” “I’m sorry. You might think I’m selfish.” “But no matter what the future holds, I want to try.” I nodded. “Okay. Then I wish us both luck.” “I hope you find your love.” “And I hope I find my freedom.” His eyes drifted to the table on my side of the screen. The bold letters “DIVORCE AGREEMENT” seemed to burn his eyes. A tear slipped down his cheek without warning. “Chloe, can I ask for one last favor?” “Give the future me one more chance.” “Put those papers in front of him.” “What if… what if he regrets it?” “What if he doesn’t want to lose you?” I checked my watch. I still had enough time before my flight. I picked up the papers, grabbed my suitcase, and walked out. “I promise you.” I hadn’t stepped foot in Ethan’s corporate headquarters in almost two years. The receptionist’s face turned pale when she saw me, and she rushed over in a panic. “Mrs. Vance! Do you have an appointment with Mr. Vance?” “Please wait in the lobby. Let me check if he’s free first, okay?” I shook my head. “I don’t mean to make your job difficult.” “But I’m in a hurry.” I pushed open the heavy oak doors of his penthouse office. Ethan was sitting in his executive chair. Sienna was sitting on his lap, wrapped securely in his arms. He saw me, but he didn’t move. A smirk played on his lips. “What are you doing here?” Then, his eyes caught the suitcase by my side. His smirk widened. “What’s this?” “Stalking me to my office now?” “Good to know you finally realized your mistake.” “I’ll come home tonight.” “Don’t do this again. There are too many people in the building. It looks bad.” I walked up to his desk and slid the divorce papers over. My signature was already neatly signed on the left. “I came to drop this off. Ethan, let’s get a divorce.” The smirk on his face completely vanished.
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