Chapter 4
504words
Sure enough, amid the sea of students and parents, I spotted Ethan immediately.
He stood tall in a well-worn black jacket, his posture commanding and his presence magnetic despite his humble attire.
"Ethan!" I called out, waving enthusiastically.
Upon spotting me, Ethan's stern expression softened, and he began striding in my direction.
Just before he reached me, a slender arm intercepted his path.
Of course. Anna.
"Hello, are you Bella Reed's boyfriend?" she asked with practiced sweetness.
Anna positioned herself squarely between us, radiating self-righteousness.
Ethan regarded her coolly, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Yes."
Anna nodded primly, then thrust her phone toward him.
Seeing her gesture, I instantly knew what she was showing him...
Yep, the humiliating video of my rejection by Leo.
My stomach dropped. This could ruin everything.
I shot Anna a venomous glare, genuinely baffled by her supposed heroine's logic.
Meanwhile, Anna launched into her rehearsed speech, words machine-gunning from her mouth.
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I can't in good conscience stay silent. You see, Bella betrayed your trust, and when I gently suggested she make amends, she refused. She's always been insufferably arrogant, treating everyone..."
I chewed my lip anxiously, watching Ethan's reaction from the corner of my eye, bracing for an explosion of rage.
However, Ethan barely glanced at the screen before firmly moving Anna aside.
"Move."
Anna stumbled backward, her righteous monologue cut short, her face flushing with embarrassment.
Ethan calmly walked to my side, took my backpack, and asked in the same gentle tone he always used with me:
"What would you like to eat, Bella?"
Anna, clearly frustrated by Ethan's dismissal, raised her voice.
"Not only is Bella Reed unfaithful, but she's also obscenely wasteful! She knows you work yourself to the bone, yet she blows money on designer clothes, jewelry, and imported chocolates! She—"
"And?" Ethan cut her off coldly, his expression hardening to granite.
Encouraged by finally getting a reaction, Anna straightened her spine and continued self-righteously.
"That money could feed starving children in Africa! Instead, she wastes it on frivolities. Isn't that disgraceful?"
I nearly choked at her sanctimonious lecture.
Is this the author's idea of a sympathetic heroine? The patron saint of spending other people's money?
Anna maintained her righteous posture, practically glowing with self-satisfaction.
Time to play my part.
I clutched Ethan's sleeve, summoning tears to my eyes.
"Honey, maybe I shouldn't buy dresses anymore."
Ethan's ears flushed crimson at the endearment. "Bella, not in public," he murmured.
He turned his attention back to Anna, his expression darkening.
"Everything she owns, I bought for her. I enjoy spoiling her. What business is that of yours? I don't make a habit of threatening women, but if you continue upsetting Bella with this nonsense, I might reconsider."
Ethan's glacial stare could have frozen hell itself. Anna stumbled backward, bit her lip, and fled the scene.
