how “The nude photos are fake” “Even if
wyse real she was paid for a tk he did the
job, got paid, what’s the problem
the Breklene
yo
Ethan’s the
<
real victim here! Two terrible women, both
liars.”
Something twisted in my gut. I put away my
phone, looking out the window. Raindrops
streaked across the glass, blurring the city
lights. The city hadn’t changed in three years.
But everything between Ethan and me had.
After two surgeries, Ethan had regained his
sight. Chloe’s bodyguards shadowed me,
preventing me from seeing him, revealing the truth. But the day he could see, they brought
me to the hospital. I couldn’t see him, but I
heard his insecure voice: “Chloe!”
“Ethan, I’m here,” Chloe whispered. “I was so
worried.” Her altered voice was almost identical
to mine. Ethan didn’t notice. “You promised you’d be the first person I saw. You broke your
promise.”
… I stopped listening. A sharp pain pierced my heart. From the start, it was Chloe in Ethan’s
ية السلام التوعوي المركم التواهي
<
He went silent.
“Those two years are over. You were engaged
to Chloe all along. Your life is back on track.
Why are you bothering me?”
“This isn’t my track,” Ethan said, his eyes
reddening. “I’d never even met Chloe before. It
was always you.”
Pain welled up inside me. I closed my eyes, my voice trembling. “You’re still lying. Ethan, I was outside your hospital room, listening to you
mistake Chloe for me. You hugged her, kissed
her-”
“I didn’t.” he interrupted. “The second I opened
my eyes, I knew it wasn’t you.”
I stared at him, stunned.
“The Hayes family is complicated. There were
people in that room who wanted me dead. So
when I realized it wasn’t you, I made a decision. Chloe was the perfect target.” He smirked, a
cold glint in his eyes. “She likes impersonating
82
people? Let her
News reports flashed through my mind stories I’d read abroad. Chloe narrowly
escaping a real explosion on set. Chloe and
Ethan injured by a falling billboard. “I didn’t
mean to not recognize you. A lot has happened
these three years. After my grandfather died,
people tried to kill me, one after another
They’re either in jail or dead now. Even my own
mother. I’m not afraid of dying. My cousin
stabbed me after being forced to give up his
shares I didn’t even feel it. In that moment, I
just… missed you.”
- 16.
In the dim light of the parking garage, he took
off his jacket, unbuttoning his shirt, revealing a
scar near his heart. “The Hayes family is a
mess. It wasn’t easy to get back what was
mine. But it’s done. After today, Chloe and
everyone who supported her are going down.
The entire Hayes family, including me, is yours.”
<
3:36
He leaned closer, his gaze intense. His once-
cloudy eyes now shone like stars. I swallowed.
“But you and Chloe…”
“I never kissed her. Never.” He said firmly. “I’m
clean, sister. You can check.”
84
That broke my last defenses. I tore at his shirt,
memories flooding back. His darkest days were
also my most uncertain. All that pent–up
emotion had transformed into passionate
nights. In the reclined car seat, I tugged his tie,
just like after every fight we’d had. He gasped,
his eyes half–closed. “…God, I missed you.” He
held me tight, nuzzling my neck, his hand
tracing my waist. “They’re so stupid. A docile
little doll like her could never be you. No one
could ever be you.” His normally sharp voice
was thick with desire.
…Dawn was breaking when the storm subsided.
He drove to a villa. His tie, still loosened, hung around his neck. I checked my phone.
<
#ChloeWilliamsArrested was trending.
“Last month, my half–brother contacted her,
threatening to expose her secrets if she didn’t
steal bidding documents and confidential files
from me.”
I said quietly, “I know.”
“You know…” Ethan turned sharply. “Did you
arrange this, Anna?”
I nodded, digging my nails into my palm, forcing
myself to meet his gaze. “I came back to
destroy the Williams family, destroy Chloe, and clear my mother’s name.” “I’d do anything for
this.”
That was the reason I chose journalism.
Twenty years ago, young Ms. Williams, wanting
my dad, framed my mom for prostitution. Little Chloe, eager for the life of a rich girl, helped her, pushing her own mother into the abyss. My mom was detained for fifteen days, lost her job, and faced the judgment of our neighbors. After the divorce, she returned to our small town,
barely fifty. The day she died, the hospital TV
was showing news about the Williams family: a
loving couple, successful children, a model
family. “It’s so funny… Mom died weighing less
than 100 pounds, her hands covered in needle
marks. She should have lived a long life. The
Williams family built their fortune on dirty
dealings, ruining so many lives. And they’re the
model family?” I covered my eyes, fighting back
tears.
“Ethan, I used you. I know you wouldn’t tolerate
betrayal, so I pushed Chloe to break your trust.
If you’re hurt or angry, I understand. But I had
to send her to hell.” I forced myself to look at
him calmly.
“…But, sister, your hands are shaking.” He took my hand, kissing it gently. “Don’t be afraid. I’m
glad you used me. It means you care. I’m on your side. I told you, everything I have, including myself, is yours.”
<
