Chapter 3
Chapter 3
When Ethan returned, he was holding a bucket of popcorn–the same snack I used to love on our dates.
Back then, the simple act of our hands brushing against each other in the bucket was enough to make my heart race.
Now, just the smell of it made me feel nauseous.
The shy boy who once blushed at holding my hand was gone, replaced by someone I could hardly recognize,
Maybe his mind was still lingering on the passion he’d just shared with Madison, because in his rush to leave, he forgot to grab the USB drive that had been playing our movie,
pped it into my bag before following him out.
In the car, he glanced at his phone. His Adam’s apple bobbed nervously as he swallowed.
“Babe, there’s another work dinner tonight…”
I knew he was lying, but I didn’t care enough to call him out.
“Go ahead,” I said, my tone flat.
“You’re the best,” he said with a smile. “I promise I’ll make it up to you when I get back.”
Leaning over, he kissed my cheek.
The scent of perfume–one that wasn’t mine–hit me like a slap.
O
Without a word, I wiped the spot where he’d touched me the moment he turned away.
When I got home, another text from Madison was waiting for me.
This time, it was a screenshot of their conversation.
Ethart had been questioning her, demanding to know why she kept showing up around me.
She responded with a photo of herself in a tight skirt, striking a provocative pose, her expression teasing.
That was enough to make him swallow his anger.
“Wait for me. I’m coming over to punish you.”
“And tonight, no protection. Don’t complain about the pain.”
My hand shook as I read the messages, my breath coming in shallow gasps.
I stared at the screen, my eyes burning, refusing to cry.
The man I had loved for eight years, the one who treated me with such care and gentleness, was saying these things to another woman.
It was time to end this.
Closing the messages, I began gathering every gift he had ever given me over the years. Jewelry, designer bags, all the luxury items he’d showered me with–along with the USB drive that held the movie he’d spent weeks creating.
All of it went into the trash.
Those gifts, worth millions, meant nothing to me now.
That night, Ethan did something unusual: he came home.
The first thing he noticed was the empty display case where the gifts had been.
11:46
Photos, Lies, and Fire
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Chapter 3
He froze then rushed over to me, his expression panicked.
“Babe, where’s everything? What happened to the gifts?”
“And the USB drive–the one from today’s movie–did you see it? I checked my computer, and it’s gone. I spent a month putting it together–it’s more important than my life!”
His voice trembled, almost breaking.
I looked at him calmly, taking a sip of water before replying.
“I put the gifts away. They’re so precious–I couldn’t risk someone else seeing them.”
“As for the USB drive…I didn’t see it. Losing it so close to the wedding–isn’t that a sign? You didn’t do anything to betray me, right?”
I kept my tone light, almost amused.
Ethan’s face went pale. He dropped to his knees in front of me, his voice frantic.
“Grace, I swear on my life, I’d never betray you. You’re more important to me than anything. If I ever cheated on you, I’d deserve the worst!”
I chuckled softly.
“Relax. I was just joking. You take everything so seriously.”
“You’re making it sound like I’m going to end up a widow before we’re even married.”
My nonchalant attitude seemed to put him at ease.
His shoulders relaxed, and he let out a shaky laugh.
After excusing himself to wash up, I heard him laughing quietly to himself in the bathroom.
When he came out, he announced he was heading out to look for the USB drive, saying he wouldn’t be able to sleep without it.
I knew exactly where he was going–to Madison, to continue the “punishment” he’d promised earlier.
I didn’t stop him.
“Be careful,” I said casually.
He left in such a hurry he didn’t even glance back.
The moment the door clicked shut, my phone buzzed with a message from the team helping me fake my death.
“Your new ID is ready. Everything’s on track for the plan.”
