6
In the end, I didn’t go to the press conference. That day, all major platforms were live streaming the event.
Ethan appeared on screen in a suit, holding Lily’s hand. In the time since I last saw her, Lily had transformed completely, looking exquisite and
beautiful in a haute couture dress.
A handsome man and a beautiful woman, plus the first love storyline, moved everyone present with their touching love story.
I turned off the TV and threw on a jacket, planning to go downstairs for something to eat.
Although where I lived wasn’t as upscale, there was a street food alley right downstairs, full of local flavor.
I ate and drank my fill before leisurely heading home. The facilities in my neighborhood were old, and the street lights usually flickered. Today, they had given up working altogether.
I’m quite afraid of the dark, so I quickened my pace.
Just as I reached the entrance of my building, a dark figure blocked my way. I shone my flashlight on him – it was Ethan’s good friend, the one who had his head smashed at the bar that day.
“I’ve been waiting for you for a long time, Natalie,” he said.
The wound on his head hadn’t healed yet, looking particularly horrifying in the darkness.
I took a few steps back. “How did you know I was here? What do you want?”
I didn’t have much interaction with the people around Ethan. They were wary of him, so they usually just called me “sis” for show when we met.
Only this man would let his gaze linger on me unscrupulously.
8:41 AM
He smiled lecherously, approaching me step by step. “Of course someone told me your address. Sis, oh no, Natalie, I’ve always liked you. Now that you’ve broken up with Ethan, why don’t you be with me? I don’t mind picking up his used goods.”
My stomach churned, and I almost threw up everything I had eaten earlier.
“I’m sorry, but I think I’m going to be sick. Could you please stay away from me?”
Instead of backing off, he came closer, even reaching out to touch my face.
“That bastard Ethan smashed my head and ruined my project. Today, I’m going to destroy you and make him suffer.”
I backed up against the
wall
as he got closer and closer. I could even smell his foul breath.
“Help! Help!” I screamed desperately. He covered my mouth with one hand and tried to pull down my pants with the other.
At this hour, there was hardly helpfully set
Sound
My muffled cries for help were quieter than the cats meowing in the bushes.
I felt a chill on my legs, and the next
second, the man’s head was smashed with a brick again.
He let go of me and howled in pain, clutching his head.
In that instant, my limp body fell into a warm embrace. That familiar scent of tobacco immediately calmed my tense nerves.
“Who dares to ruin my fun!” the man shouted.
A low, menacing voice sounded in my ear, “Wasn’t the last lesson enough for you?”
The man’s arrogant tone instantly softened, “E–Ethan?”
Ethan sneered, “If I ever see you again, it won’t just be a cracked skull. I’ll make sure you’re dismembered.”
The man ran away as fast as he could, clutching his head in fear.
“Are you scared?” Ethan patted my head and pulled up my pants.
Scared?
The man’s bloody face was indeed terrifying, but I wasn’t afraid at all. In fact, I felt a rush of satisfaction.
Thinking I was frightened, Ethan picked me up and carried me back home.
In the narrow living room, he crouched in front of me, his warm fingertips gently massaging my cheeks.
“Let me find you a new place to live. The security here is terrible.”
I came to my senses and swatted his hand away. “Why are you here? Do you want me to make another statement for you and Lily?”
Ethan’s expression was complex. He withdrew his hand and looked at me quietly. “Your father is getting out of prison. He might try to find you. I came to warn you.”
“As long as your precious Lily doesn’t cause trouble, I’ll be safe.” I stood up and walked to the door, making a gesture for him to leave.
“If there’s nothing else, get out.”
Ethan’s eyes darkened. “Don’t think so badly of Lily. She’s innocent and doesn’t have ulterior motives.”
I rolled my eyes. “Then who do you think leaked my address?”
Ethan frowned and fell silent. He had indeed told Lily my address.
But in his mind, Lily was as pure as a white rabbit. Even if he racked his brains, he wouldn’t want to admit it was Lily’s doing.
*Natalie, you’re being too sensitive. You can’t blame everything on Lily just because I’m marrving her li’s my fault for not loving you Lilvis
8:42 AM
<
→
“Natalie, you’re being too sensitive. You can’t blame everything on Lily just because I’m marrying her. It’s my fault for not loving you, Lily is innocent.”
I never realized before how love–struck Ethan could be. In his mind, everyone else was at fault, and his Lily was the most innocent of all.
“Lily isn’t as innocent as you think,” I said coldly.
Lily was definitely not innocent. That day at the bar, she deliberately broke the bottle to create a commotion, drawing everyone’s attention to her and playing the victim for sympathy.
Even when I didn’t blame her and told her to leave, she still knelt on the ground and refused to go.
Including my confrontation with Ethan in the living room, she had been watching from upstairs the whole time, only rushing out when I raised my hand.
Ethan stood in front of me, the warm yellow light casting a golden edge on his body. His eyes were filled with disgust and anger.
“I used to think you were a lot like Lily, but now I see you can’t even compare to a single strand of her hair.”
He left angrily, while I stood at the door for a long time.
Ethan was wrong. Lily and I were the same kind of person, willing to do anything to achieve our goals.
