Chapter 2

When I arrived at the restaurant, Ethan wasn’t there.

Instead, I ran into my ex-boyfriend Jake Wade, Sophie Snow, and a bunch of his good buddies.

Seeing me, Jake’s close friend Sam Shaw spoke first.

“Lily, birthday with no Jake to keep you company, so you had to come eat all alone? That’s just too pitiful.”

Jake glanced at me, then quickly looked away.

It was obvious someone had reminded him that today was my birthday.

“What’s so strange about it? She’s been on her own since school days. If Jake hadn’t taken pity on her and hung out with her, who would even bother? Always walking around with that cold face like someone owes her millions.”

Sophie, arm looped through Jake’s, cut in.

Back in school, Sophie had always harbored resentment toward me.

She loved messing with people for fun—told Jake to pursue me, then dump me, just to watch me fall apart and enjoy the show.

But when Jake actually ended up dating me, she was the one who broke down.

After graduation, she became Jake’s secretary, and he couldn’t resist the temptation—he cheated.

Jake still wore that same arrogant look.

“Lily, you came here on purpose to wait for me, right? Last year for your birthday I brought you to this exact restaurant. Why are you so hung up on it?”

He hesitated, then added in a patronizing tone:

“Fine. Since it’s your birthday today, come join us and eat. But just this once—don’t wait for me anymore after this.”

I ignored him. Seeing Ethan walking toward me from a distance, I smiled.

“Who said I was waiting for you? I got tired of you ages ago. I was actually worried I wouldn’t be able to get rid of you—good thing someone else stepped in.”

Back when I first realized Sophie and Jake were playing me, I actually felt excited.

Getting played while turning the tables on them is way more interesting.

I looked up what type Jake liked,

acted pitiful and fragile, made him completely addicted to me.

Once I had him, it felt boring.

When I noticed him getting flirty with Sophie, I quickly broke things off.

Afraid that if I waited too long, I wouldn’t be able to dump him.

Jake frowned as he watched me walk arm-in-arm with Ethan into the private room.

I hadn’t told Ethan I was coming to the dinner, yet he still showed up.

While Ethan was ordering food, I deliberately tugged the strapless dress a little lower, making my figure stand out more.

“I thought you’d be mad and not show up after I turned you down. Good thing you still came—we really are so in tune with each other.”

Ethan’s gaze dropped to my chest for a split second before he awkwardly shifted it back to my face.

For one brief moment, I caught a dark, churning shadow rise in the depths of his eyes, but it disappeared in an instant.

“I had an appointment to discuss work. I saw you here, so I rescheduled with the other person.”

I pressed my lips together. Still pretending.

Ethan handed me the birthday gift.

It was a very delicate bracelet.

I opened it right there and put it on.

Ethan said quietly, “It suits you very well.”

Then he lowered his head and continued eating.

During the meal he mentioned that in two days he’d be going on a business trip for a week and wouldn’t be able to see me, so I should take good care of myself.

I smiled inwardly. Isn’t he watching me every single moment already?

Suddenly I felt curious—what would happen if I didn’t take good care of myself?

After we finished eating and were about to head home, just as I was stepping out, Ethan pulled me back.

He draped his suit jacket over me.

“You’re dressed very inappropriately today.”

I didn’t want to wear it, but his attitude was firm and left no room for argument. He covered up my exposed shoulders completely.

Wrapped up tightly like that, I went home.

I had thought being in the private room might finally make him show his true colors.

Instead, the male waiter next to us looked at me with eyes far more blatant than Ethan’s ever were.

Back in my room, I took off Ethan’s suit jacket and stomped on it twice in frustration to vent.

Then I noticed my lace underwear fall out of his pocket.

My face instantly flushed red-hot.

He really knows how to play dangerously!