Chapter 2

"Last time, my family was just overprotective. That whole mess was a misunderstanding."

"Today's a good opportunity. Let me introduce you to everyone."

"Making connections will only help you. Consider it my way of making it up to you."

He pulled me in front of the crowd, smiling warmly.

"Everyone, look who's here!"

All eyes turned to me.

Olivia, Greg, and Lucy froze mid-smile.

"This is my best friend Greg. He works in your hospital's psych department. You've probably crossed paths, right?"

Greg's eyes darted nervously. "Dr. Harper... hi."

His voice was distant, like we'd never met.

Carter didn't notice. He pulled Lucy forward next.

"This is Lucy, my best friend from college. She's the one who filed the complaint against you—but don't worry, I've already had her drop it. Your career is safe."

Lucy's face went pale. She seemed about to explain. "Bro..."

But Carter didn't hear. He brought me to Olivia and wrapped an arm possessively around her waist.

"And this is my wife. She's—"

I cut in, smiling. "Olivia, the owner of this restaurant."

Carter blinked. He looked from Olivia to me. "How do you know that? Have you two met before?"

I let out a laugh, holding Olivia's warning glare as I spoke slowly.

"Because she's my fiancée. We've been together seven years. We were about to get married."

"This restaurant—she gave it to me as a gift. Didn't she tell you any of this?"

Back then, I'd casually said, "I wish I could sit here and watch the ocean every day."

The next day, the restaurant keys were in my birthday cake box.

Six months ago, Olivia said the company was strapped for cash, so I agreed to sell it to help.

Now I could see it was just another lie.

"Dr. Harper, what are you talking about?" Carter's eyes turned red.

"Olivia and I got married a year ago. How could she be your fiancée?"

Olivia panicked. "Carter, let me explain—"

Oh, how nice.

I was the one betrayed and deceived, yet she was desperate to explain herself to Carter.

I laughed coldly and started laying out seven years' worth of truth.

"She has a four-inch scar on her arm—from a car accident four years ago. She took that hit for me."

"The cross pendant she always wears—I made that myself."

"And you, Mr. Carter—turns out you're just the third party my fiancée was sneaking around with?"

"Ethan, that's enough!"

All three shouted at once.

My fiancée. My sister. My best friend. All staring at me with cold contempt.

As if I was the homewrecker.

"Did I say something wrong?" I asked, voice sharp with bitter laughter.

Olivia's voice was ice. "Ethan, Carter didn't know anything about this. If you have a problem, take it up with me. Don't talk about him like that."

Greg stepped forward, his words cutting. "Ethan, Olivia stopped loving you a long time ago. She and Carter are the real deal now."

My sister finally found her courage. "Bro, since you already know... just let them be happy. They're a family now."

Blow after blow. I felt cold all over.

"So you all conspired to destroy my career? Had someone break my hand?"

I stared at Carter, then swept my gaze across every one of them.

"He's the other man. And you're all his accomplices. Tell me I'm wrong."

Before the words were fully out, Greg's fist connected with my face.

"Enough, Ethan!"

"The one being left behind is you—not Carter!"