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"Thank you for comforting me every month."
The photo showed Ethan in Lila's kitchen,thoughtfully brewing something hot.
Envious comments flooded below.
I wiped tears from my eyes.
Once,when I was burning with fever,I begged Ethan for a cup of water,and he refused.
Now he was cooking for Lila.
I didn't want to wait anymore.
Unable to book a ride,I braved the rain to the bus stop.
The short distance felt like miles.
Raindrops fell on me constantly it almost hurted,each step worsening the pain in my abdomen.
Hand on my stomach,face pale,head bandaged,I boarded the bus.
Passengers offered me seats and asked if I needed a doctor.
I shook my head,declining.
By 8 p.m.,I reached home.
Ethan was sitting in the living room,visibly impatient.
"You're back and didn't tell me?I searched the hospital for hours!"
I wiped my face with a tissue,calmly saying,"I called.You didn't answer."
"And half an hour ago,Lila posted about how nice it is to have you with her."
Embarrassment flashed across his face,likely because he was caught off-guard by my bluntness.
He stammered,then said,"Claire,are you nuts?"
"Lila was on her period.I went to check on her.Why are you so bitter?"
I sneered.
Before,I might've argued.
Now,I only grabbed clean clothes and headed to the bathroom.
"I won't be anymore."
Hot water washed away the chill from my body.
But I noticed blood trickling down my legs...
I'd slept poorly,with the pain in my abdomen haunting my dreams.
Waking,I felt dazed.
Stepping out,I saw Ethan returning.
Perhaps aware he'd gone too far,his voice carried rare warmth.
"Awake?I brought breakfast."
I nodded,silent,and went to wash up.
When I emerged,he spoke again,which was quite unusual.
"Sit,eat."
"I'm free today.I can take you to that movie you've been wanting to see."
The movie,liked m=by manhy since its release,was one I'd asked him to see multiple times.
He always refused.
Then I saw Lila's post with her ticket stub,realizing he wasn't busy—just unwilling to go with me.
"No thanks.I don't want to."
My refusal sparked anger.He grabbed my wrist,shouting,"Claire,I've told you a million times!Lila and I are just friends!"
"Yesterday,she was unwell,so I went to her.Why are you so bitter,assuming we're together?"
I calmly pulled my hand back,looking at him.
"I know.You're just childhood friends."
He eyed me suspiciously,searching for why I said that.
But he found none.
I remained expressionless.
For some reason,my calmness infuriated him more.
He stormed to the bedroom,changed,and went out,slammed the door behind min.
I didn't care,following him out.
I'd scheduled a meeting with my lawyer to finalize the divorce.
By afternoon,we'd nearly settled.
As I prepared to take the divorce papers to Ethan,he called.
"Clean up.I'll pick you up later."
I frowned,about to refuse,but he hung up,leaving no room for debate.
I had to stash the papers first.I took a cab home,and waited.
After a glass of water,Ethan's car pulled up.
Seeing my face without makeup and casual clothes,his expression soured.
"What's with this look?"
"No makeup,and you didn’t change either?You look indecent!"
As he spoke,the passenger door opened.
Lila stepped out in an elegant gown,wearing the diamond necklace from her post.
She smirked provocatively,linking arms with Ethan and cooing,"Sorry,Ethan,my fault.I forgot to tell her."
His scowl softened as he looked at Lila,slipping an arm around her shoulders.
"No worries.You're so busy—it's normal for you to forget."
Seeing their intimacy I felt nothing but indifferent.
As I turned to leave,Ethan called,"Get in."
I glanced at the passenger seat,marked with a sticker:
"Lila's Throne."
