- 4.
The next morning, I was summoned to the
office to deal with Ethan’s PR nightmare. As I
arrived, I ran into Olivia. Ethan, apparently
unable to bear leaving her alone, had brought
her along. She rushed to apologize, her voice
dripping with fake sincerity. “Sophia, I’m so
sorry about last night. I was drunk and posted
that impulsively. Ethan just went along with it.
He’s so silly sometimes, always putting me first,
not thinking about how it affects you.” “Those
online comments were so nasty, calling you a
stand–in. It’s ridiculous!” “They don’t know how
grateful I am to you for taking care of Ethan all
these years…” She flashed me a saccharine
smile. I smiled back. “I’m Ethan’s wife. Wives
take care of their husbands. No need for thanks
from outsiders.” “You’re the one who should try
<
3:11
to ignore the online trolls calling you a
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homewrecker.” Olivia’s smile faltered. Her eyes scanned me, lingering on my ring. “Sophia,” she said, reaching for my hand, “you’re wearing my ring. I think it’s time to give it back.” She tugged at my hand. Annoyed, I jerked my arm back, accidentally striking her face. Olivia swung her purse, the metal clasp catching my forehead, drawing blood. The force of the blow made my ears ring. I raised my hand to
retaliate, but someone grabbed my wrist from behind. Ethan appeared, his voice cold. “Don’t you dare touch her, Sophia.” As I turned, he saw the blood on my face and froze, his gaze shifting to Olivia. “Did you do this?” he asked. Tears welled in Olivia’s eyes. “Ethan, she called me a homewrecker and tried to hit me! My purse hit her when I dodged. I didn’t mean to! I’ll apologize!” Her tears worked their magic. Ethan stroked her hair, his voice soothing. “Anyone hits you, hit them back. I’ve got your back. You don’t have to apologize to anyone.” I suddenly envied Olivia. I cried easily too, but the
<
person who used to comfort me was gone.
Ethan’s agent, Sarah, couldn’t take it anymore. “This is your wife, Ethan! Are you blind?
Clinging to this… this girl!” “What makes Olivia better than Sophia? Have you forgotten you said you wanted a child with Sophia? That you felt like you finally had a home with her?” “You’re hurting her like this. Are you sure you won’t regret it?” I instinctively touched my stomach. A tiny life was growing inside me. Ethan chuckled, his gaze sweeping over me, devoid of emotion. “Maybe I did have feelings for Sophia. But Olivia’s back.” “Sophia, or any other woman, has to step aside.” He might have briefly, superficially, liked me. Now Olivia was back, and his love belonged to her. I pulled off the ring, the ring that wasn’t mine, and offered it to Ethan. His smile faded, replaced by a cold mask. After a moment of silence, he reached out to take it. Sarah grabbed my arm, her eyes flicking to my stomach. “Sophia, don’t be
foolish. You’re…” Olivia interrupted, snatching
the ring and slipping it onto her finger. The ring
1- £..
OL
was too small. Her smile froze. She tossed the
ring into the trash. “Forget it,” she said, clinging
to Ethan’s arm. “Don’t be mad at her for me. I
don’t want a ring another woman has worn. It’s
dirty.” Ethan ignored her, his eyes fixed on me.
“What were you about to say?” he asked, his
voice low. I glanced at him, then turned and
walked away. Ethan, I’m pregnant. You don’t
need to know.
