บททั้งหมดของ I'm Back and Better Than Ever: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

I stood frozen, my back stiff as I forced myself to look composed, even though my heart had already crumbled into dust.Ethan spotted me almost instantly. He walked over briskly, his expression carrying a tenderness that was hard to ignore."Are you done, Ellie? Let's go to the bridal shop then," he said. That nickname, 'Ellie', had once carried warmth and familiarity for me. But now, it cut me like a knife.He reached out, trying to take my hand. But I subconsciously stepped back.The air between us hung awkwardly."I'm tired," I said, avoiding his gaze, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want to try on wedding dresses anymore."Ethan was stunned for a moment, his brows furrowed. He pressed his palm to my forehead. "Are you feeling sick? I'll take you to a doctor."I could feel his large hand tremble slightly against my skin.For a moment, I almost believed in him again—that he still cared about me. But loving someone and being used to caring for them were never the sam

I didn't turn off my phone. The glare from the screen hurt my eyes in the dark.I had just found Serena's account. It was a newly registered account, barely a month old. Before today, every post had been taken in secret.Ethan's back, his side profile, his hands, his cuffs… Every angle was carefully framed, carrying the traces of a young girl's earnest devotion.Just like how I once was when I first fell for him. Under each photo, she'd written a little story.A poor girl, beaten down by fate, was sponsored by a young rich man—and in her gratitude, she fell in love with him."At my darkest moment, he appeared like an angel, paid off all my debts, and told me, 'Don't be afraid. I'm here.'"She turned their story into a fairytale, a love story between the prince and Cinderella. Pure, romantic, and worthy of blessings.The comments under each post stung more than the photos themselves."She loves him in such a humble way! I hope he can turn around and notice her.""This is what m

After graduating from college, I would sometimes visit George's lab to conduct pharmaceutical experiments. But ever since my engagement to Ethan, I'd moved out of my dorm in Floren and into his villa. He never approved of my wish to continue my studies."You're the wife of the Larsen Family's heir, Elara. There's no need for you to learn all that. Just take good care of our home."And so, I withdrew from George's project and turned down a hard-earned opportunity to further my studies. I locked myself up in the cage that Ethan had built for me.When I didn't reply to his messages that night, a faint sense of unease crept over him. He lay in bed after washing up, but he couldn't fall asleep.When I was home back then, I would always sit quietly beside him. And during his busy periods, he wouldn't even notice my presence at all. That flutter of affection he once felt for me had faded into a calm routine through the days and years.So it was no surprise that he fell for someone as liv

Ethan had no mind to comfort Serena right now. His head was filled with what George said."She flew to Verenza yesterday. So, the perfume I smelled at the airport yesterday… it was really hers?" Ethan murmured, his eyes blank and unfocused.Serena grabbed onto his arm, refusing to let go."Didn't you say I was the one you loved most? You said you only felt responsible toward Elara. Now that she's gone, you don't owe her anything anymore. So why won't you marry me?"She couldn't understand why Ethan, who once looked at her like she was his whole world, would look so lost after finding out I left."No one's standing in our way anymore!" she cried.Didn't he fall in love with Serena? Why did his heart ache so much when he heard I was gone?Ethan clutched his chest and slowly sank to his knees. At that moment, he realized he didn't like Serena as much as he thought.The guests sensed something was wrong and began finding excuses to leave the venue. In no time, the banquet hall was

When Marcus called to inform me about signing the transfer documents, I was in the university library, going through my lab research notes."You must be mistaken," I said, "I'm an orphan. There are no older relatives who'd leave me any inheritance."I refused the documents Marcus handed me and turned to leave for the lab. "It was Mr. Ethan Larsen's instructions. He's transferring all his personal assets to you. Every agreement here was signed by him personally," he said.I froze on the spot, my mind going blank."Why would he do that? I never wanted his fortune." I thought to myself.My leaving was supposed to give him and Serena what they wanted. I thought he'd marry her happily and forget about me completely.But instead, he sent Marcus all the way to Verenza just to give me all his fortune."Mr. Larsen wants you to forgive him. He said he's done things that hurt you. These assets are his way of making it up to you, and…" he hesitated, studying my expression before continuin