Chapter 4

Looking back now, I really had been foolish.

I accepted my friend's offer without hesitation. I then bought a ticket to Havendell.

The moment I got off the plane, I saw my friend standing in the arrival hall. When she saw me, she immediately walked over, took my luggage, and started asking if I was tired, whether I had eaten, and whether I was feeling okay.

I wasn't used to it. I smiled. "We're friends. You don't have to be so accommodating."

My friend smiled back. "It's exactly because we're close. I have to take better care of you."

Her words made me space out. I suddenly recalled what happened a few years ago when Ethan asked me to give up my high-paying job and start a business with him.

He only sent me an address. I carried my luggage alone and was sweating. I got lost several times before finally reaching the remote apartment he rented.

When he opened the door, he was still in pajamas and playing games with someone.

He didn't say anything, but from his expression, I could tell he was annoyed that I arrived at the wrong time.

After he finished the game, I jokingly asked why he didn't come pick me up. Wasn't he worried something might happen to me?

He glanced at me and scoffed. "It's broad daylight. What could possibly happen? Besides, we've been together forever. You can come by yourself. Why would I need to pick you up?"

Looking back now, saying we were close had only ever been an excuse. The real reason was that I wasn't important enough.

That afternoon, my friend took me to look at apartments. After I settled on a place to stay, she invited a few friends over and took me to dinner at a classy restaurant in a hotel.

She went to park the car, so I went upstairs first.

The moment I walked through the revolving door, I heard a familiar voice.

"Oh? Isn't that Nora?"

I instinctively turned to look. I saw Ethan and Mia leaning against each other with their fingers intertwined near the reception.

When Ethan saw me, he immediately pulled away.

Mia clearly didn't look happy.

But soon, she returned to her usual smile and walked toward me. "Nora, I just heard from HR today that you were looking for Ethan. If you needed something, you could've just called him. Why did you come all the way here yourself?"

Ethan seemed to recall something and frowned.

"Did you follow me? What is the meaning of this? Don't you trust me?"

I found it hilarious, but I didn't feel like explaining. "I didn't follow you. I'm here to meet a friend."

Ethan clearly didn't believe me.

"Give me a break. Do you think I wouldn't know if you had friends? If you followed me, just admit it. Why lie?"

He sneered. It was as if he had already seen through me.

I stayed silent and didn't know what else to say.

He was the person who knew me best. He knew I had left my hometown and didn't really have many friends here, but he still chose to leave me alone in the city to cool off.

But I remembered what happened last year. He lied and said he was going home for the holidays. Instead, he went to spend New Year's with Mia.

His excuse was that Mia was feeling down, and she had no friends here. He was afraid she might do something reckless.

"Ethan, since Nora is here, you two should talk first.

"By the way, can I have the room card?"

Mia smiled and held out her hand.

Ethan naturally took the room card from his pocket and handed it to her. "Wait for me upstairs."

"Okay."

Before leaving, Mia glanced at me cockily.

It was obvious.

They had booked the same room.

Ethan seemed to realize it only after she left. A flash of panic crossed his eyes.

"The front desk said there was only one room left.

"Don't overthink it. It's a suite. I'll sleep on the couch."

I recalled Ethan had always had a habit. Whether it was a business trip or a vacation, he always had his assistant book hotels in advance.