Chapter 4 — One Question She Couldn't Answer
The Birthday Surprise
Chapter 4 — One Question She Couldn't Answer
Lucas quietly picked up his jacket from the back of a chair.
"I should leave."
Ethan didn't stop him.
He simply stepped aside and watched the man he had once trusted more than a brother walk toward the front door.
Before leaving, Lucas turned around one last time.
"I truly am sorry."
Ethan looked at him without emotion.
"If you were sorry..."
"...you would've stopped three years ago."
Lucas lowered his head.
Without another word, he walked out into the night.
The heavy front door closed behind him.
Now only Ethan and Emily remained inside the enormous mansion.
The silence felt unbearable.
Birthday balloons still floated near the ceiling.
The untouched cake remained on the table.
Candles had melted into small pools of wax.
Emily wiped away her tears.
"Ethan..."
"Please talk to me."
He slowly removed his suit jacket and draped it over the back of a chair.
Then he loosened his tie.
He suddenly looked years older than he had that morning.
Finally, he spoke.
"I only need one honest answer."
Emily nodded immediately.
"Anything."
He met her eyes.
"When you left this morning..."
"...were you already planning to spend your birthday with Lucas?"
Emily froze.
The question was simple.
The answer wasn't.
She remembered canceling lunch with her friends.
She remembered texting Lucas before breakfast.
She remembered lying to Ethan when he kissed her goodbye and wished her a happy birthday.
She couldn't say no.
Because the truth was yes.
Her silence answered for her.
Ethan slowly closed his eyes.
"So..."
"Before I even wished you happy birthday..."
"...you had already chosen him."
Emily began sobbing.
"I was confused."
"No."
Ethan interrupted gently.
"You were decided."
Those four words cut deeper than any accusation.
Emily stepped closer.
"I still loved you."
Ethan looked at her for a long moment.
"If that's true..."
"...why did you never stop?"
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
She searched desperately for an explanation.
Loneliness.
Neglect.
Distance.
Work.
Every excuse sounded meaningless now.
Because none of them explained three years of deception.
Ethan reached into his pocket.
Slowly...
He slid off his wedding ring.
He stared at it for several seconds before placing it gently on the dining table.
Emily gasped.
"No..."
"Ethan..."
He looked at the ring.
"I've worn this every single day since our wedding."
He looked back at her.
"Tonight..."
"...it stopped meaning the same thing."
Emily fell to her knees.
"I'm begging you..."
"Please don't give up on us."
Ethan remained silent.
At that exact moment...
Emily's phone vibrated on the coffee table.
Both of them looked toward the glowing screen.
One name appeared.
Lucas Calling...
Neither of them moved.
