Chapter 3

Once again, I watched helplessly as Ethan was thrown out. My heart throbbed in so much pain that it was suffocating.

Still, he didn't give up. When Audrey refused to budge, he went to Eleanor for help instead. "You're the only one who can help us now, Mrs. Hades. I'm begging you… Please talk to Audrey."

She stroked his hair in distress. "You don't have to beg me, child. Of course, I'll help.

"Lucas paid for my treatments, and you take care of me all the time. If it weren't for you two… I'd have long been dead.

"Speaking of Lucas, where is he? I haven't seen him in so long."

Tears had long been streaming down my face. Right now, Eleanor was the only person still standing on our side, but she had no idea that I'd left the world.

Ethan choked back a sob. He was just about to explain when Sebastian stepped in and shot him a look of pure disdain. "What's going on now? Since Audrey wouldn't relent, have you come to Mrs. Hades instead?

"Don't pay him any mind, Mrs. Hades. He is a liar. He showed up at the office today to harass Audrey."

Eleanor acted as if she hadn't heard a word. Ignoring Sebastian, she gestured for Ethan to take a seat and drink coffee.

Sebastian's face flushed between alternating shades of anger and shame.

Just then, Audrey walked in. When she noticed Ethan on the couch, she immediately summoned the butler to throw him out.

"Why are you always following us around? Have you no shame?" she spat.

At that, Eleanor abruptly jumped to her feet and snapped at Audrey, "How could you talk that way? Lucas took such good care of us both back then and helped us immensely. How could you treat his little brother this way? Learn to be grateful, Audrey!"

All Audrey did was frown and say, "It's over between us now, Mom. I have a fiance, so stop bringing up the past. People change, and he was no exception."

Seeing Audrey's stubbornness, Eleanor was about to open her mouth to argue when Ethan gently took her hand. He stopped her, then turned back to Audrey.

"Believe it or not, Lucas had his reasons."

Audrey didn't respond and just let out a cold laugh. After that, Sebastian grabbed him and shoved him out the door.

I wanted to leave with him, but for some reason, I couldn't drift away. All I could do was hover around Audrey and follow her wherever she went.

Late that night, she drove out alone. I sat in the passenger seat, watching as she entered "The Tonic Bar" into her GPS.

I couldn't help but frown.

After we arrived, she sat in a booth alone, drowning her sorrows with drinks after drinks. I tried to snatch the glass from her hand countless times, but my fingers always slipped through.

Suddenly, she turned around and raised her phone to take a photo.

When I followed her gaze, I noticed my so-called fiancee—Clara Sterling—drinking with a group of friends. Her arms were draped around two male models.

As they were about to kiss, Audrey strode over and pulled Clara aside. Then, she asked mockingly, "Does Lucas know you're cheating on him?"

Clara impatiently shook her off. "What would a dead man know?"

Audrey stumbled back and collapsed onto the couch in shock. "What did you just say? A dead man?"

While Clara took a slow drag from her cigarette and slowly exhaled, Audrey frantically cried out, "Talk!"