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I hesitated.Jessica wasn't rushed.
The crowd jeered,mocking me.
"Can't handle it but still went up?So pathetic."
"She's just playing pitiful for the rich boys.Women like her can’t be any cheap,thinking they'll get a free ride."
My planned tactics failed,all I could think of was my sister's ashes.
A bottle shattered.The guy I had offended collapsed.
Ethan emerged,hand trembling as he grabbed the necklace,voice icy.
"Jessica,I bought this.It's back with its owner now.Any objections?"
"That whore tricked you into buying it,Ethan.Forgot what you told me?You hated Wendy's sister,said we could do whatever we want with her.But now with Wendy,you..."
Jessica,stunned,hadn't expected her old friend to turn against her.
Nor did I expect Ethan to go this far for me.
That night,as he led me away,it felt like Cinderella and her prince were at last vindicated.
Back home,I stared at the necklace,expressionless.
Ethan,relieved,pinched my cheek playfully.
"I heard about your sister.I'm sorry.When hanging out with people like us,there are many temptations,you know."
"I believe you're different.I knew you’re different it as a kid."
He hugged me tentatively,humming contentedly,like a long-held obsession resolved.
"Want this necklace?Make that pork again.You know,that pork."
I nodded,sensing it was time to deepen our bond.
That pork wasn't special—unrefined,oily,commonly seen in diners.
But it reminded Ethan Of the time in his childhood when he was kidnapped
"Wendy,you saved me back then,didn't you?Kept me alive?"
At dinner,his voice trembled,and he stared at me as if he was trying to piece me through with his gaze.
I gasped,covering my mouth,feigning shock at his recognition.
"My dad's rival took me to River City 300 miles away to kill me.Kind locals hid me in a dumpster.You brought me a plate of pork every day,comforting me,telling me not to fear.I still have the $200 you scraped together for me.Wendy,after all these years,I finally found you."
Tears welled up in Ethan's eyes,he looked like that scared little heir back then.
He recalled every detail but forgot it was my sister who saved him.
Without her,I wouldn't have risked my aunt's beatings to cook for him.He didn't deserve her.
As a culprit,he let those kind locals'beloved girl die.
"And I’m sorry for another thing.Those men attacked you because of me.Know how vile your sister was?She failed to seduce me,then claimed she saved me,trying to replace you.Good thing I didn't let her."
"I'll protect you from now on,okay?"
I pushed away his leaning lips,pitifully showing my scars,saying I sought no title,only his safety.
In the bathroom,I scrubbed where he'd touched,feeling filthy.
