Chapter 4

Chapter 4

“Ethan, stop talking about him like that. He’s important to me,” I interrupted.

The line went silent. Then I heard something shatter. He laughed, each word clipped and sharp. “You never said I was important to you, Avery. Remember, I didn’t tell you to leave. You’re still mine.”

“I’m not yours,” I corrected him, frowning. “We weren’t anything after you went to California for Olivia.”

He was silent for a moment, then asked softly,

“So this is revenge, right? You’re with him to spite me? If I gave you a chance to take it back.”

My frown deepened. “Ethan, stop it. You and Olivia are finally together. Just be happy.”

He didn’t respond, his breathing heavy and fast. Then he hung up. I listened to the dial tone and sighed. He hadn’t changed. Mention Olivia, and his rationality returned.

I remembered one night, he’d called me, drunk, begging me to pick him up. I’d thrown a coat over my pajamas and rushed out, finding him stumbling drunk outside a bar.

My hands were numb with cold, but he refused to go home. His friend apologized to me, then FaceTimed Olivia. “Let Olivia see what a mess you are.”

Suddenly, Ethan straightened up, sober as a judge. He opened the car door and got in. His friend and I stood there, staring at each other. He looked embarrassed and sympathetic. “I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do. Olivia’s the only one he listens to.”

“It’s okay,” I’d said. “I don’t mind.” I’d made him hangover soup that night, staying up to take care of him, while he mumbled Olivia’s name in his sleep.

A voice inside me whispered, Do you really not mind, Avery? Then why are your hands and feet so cold? I sighed, pulling myself back to the present. I looked towards the bedroom.

The man I loved was sleeping there. The past didn’t matter. What mattered was now, and I didn’t mind anymore.

Daniel and I started planning the wedding. I went wedding dress shopping, ignoring Ethan’s constant calls. My phone buzzed incessantly with texts from him. He hadn’t texted this much in a month.

Avery, I haven’t let you go! Avery, you’ll regret this! What are you doing? Answer me! You never used to ignore me like this! Exasperated, I grabbed my phone in the dressing room. I’m trying on wedding dresses.

Stop texting. A brief silence, then my phone vibrated non- stop, as if he’d lost his mind. I gave in and answered. “Ethan, if you keep this up, we can’t even be friends.”

He ignored me, firing off questions. “What’s so great about him? Marriage and dating are different! Listen to me, Avery. Do your parents even approve? Maybe I should talk to them…”

I cut him off calmly. “Ethan, stop it.” I continued, my voice steady, “I’m getting married, Ethan. He and I grew up together. We know each other. We’re in love.”

He tried to interrupt, but I spoke over him. “Olivia won’t be happy about this.”

He fell silent, his breathing uneven. I sighed. “I told you, I grew up in foster care. I don’t have parents. Why do you always forget?” I hung up.

He didn’t call back.

Daniel waited patiently outside the dressing room, not questioning why I took so long. When I emerged, he held me close, not wanting to let go. “Avery, thank you for loving me.”

I hugged him back. “Thank you too.” We both grew up in foster care. We learned to cherish every kindness. Unlike Ethan, the spoiled rich kid who was losing his ever–obedient ex to another man, and having a meltdown because of it. I was sure he’d get over it. He’d move on.

I overestimated Ethan’s ability to accept reality. A few days later, right before the wedding, with my days filled with beauty sleep appointments, Ethan called again, late at night. He sounded drunk. “Well played, Avery.”

I was losing my patience, already planning to block his number. His voice was low and hoarse, each word laced with regret. “Why didn’t I look at the picture back then? Just one glance and I would have known.”

His voice cracked with anger and hurt. “But I didn’t even look. I brought him back, got him treatment, and handed him to you on a silver platter. I’m such an idiot! I didn’t even look at the picture! I set myself up!”

He was trembling with rage. He lowered his voice, clearly trying to control himself, but the tremor remained. “Avery, were you… using me as a replacement?”