Chapter 3

Ethan stepped out of the elevator, and as their eyes met, the atmosphere froze momentarily. After a moment, Chloe averted her gaze first, guiding the drunken Aiden around Ethan and into the elevator. As they brushed past each other, Ethan's gloomy gaze lingered on Aiden's hand resting on Chloe. The elevator doors closed. Ethan watched as the elevator stopped on the 19th floor, his expression obscure and unfathomable. Upon opening the door, Chloe helped Aiden lie down on the sofa. As she prepared to leave, Aiden suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her down. Chloe hadn't reacted yet when she fell to the floor. "Chloe, since we're getting married, just stay here tonight." Aiden's voice sounded from above. After a moment, his kisses descended urgently and intensely upon her. Chloe shivered, immediately pushing Aiden away, her movements somewhat frantic. "I have work to finish. You get some rest." Aiden, however, seemed oblivious to her urgency. Chloe grew anxious. "We agreed to wait until after the wedding..." As she spoke, she pushed Aiden with more force. Aiden tumbled to the floor, eyes tightly shut, seemingly asleep. Chloe quickly got up and ran out. A year ago, when the Hollis family went bankrupt, Aiden extended his help to get Chloe through the most challenging times. Later, he proposed, and Chloe agreed. She thought, as long as it wasn't Ethan, anyone would do. —— After leaving Aiden's apartment, Chloe's mind remained unsettled. In that moment, the face that appeared before her eyes was Ethan's. She dared not dwell on it any further, vehemently shaking her head to banish him from her mind. Lost in thought, Chloe gazed at the tip of her shoe. She walked directly towards her car, oblivious to the person following behind her. Just as she was about to open the car door, someone suddenly appeared behind her, tightly enveloping her in their arms! Chloe's heart skipped a beat for a moment, recalling a parking lot incident she had seen in the news, and she immediately became flustered. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "Who are you? What do you want?" The person behind her chuckled lightly and spoke slowly, "Don't you recognize me?" The familiar voice made Chloe's heart skip a beat! Feeling a sense of urgency and a hint of embarrassment she hadn't even noticed, she exclaimed, "Ethan, what are you doing?!" She struggled to turn around and push Ethan away. However, her hands were bound behind her by him, rendering her immobile. Ignoring Chloe's questions, Ethan slowly approached her. When he caught a whiff of the alcohol on Chloe's body and the mark on her neck, his eyes darkened suddenly. His hand traced up her neck bit by bit, and Chloe felt a shiver run through her. Suddenly, Ethan released Chloe's hand, turned her around, and stared into her face with a fabricated, mocking smile, saying, "He is fast." Initially, Chloe didn't understand Ethan's meaning, but when she saw the mockery in his eyes, she instantly grasped it. A pang of pain struck her heart, and she locked eyes with Ethan. "Aiden is good; he's much better than you," she retorted. "At least, he knows how to take care of me!" Ethan's eyes instantly turned harsh. He approached, grabbing Chloe's chin, fixating on those lovely lips, and sealed them with his own. Unlike the gentle whispers of the past, it felt more like a form of punishment. Chloe widened her eyes, resisting forcefully but in vain. Her strength was nothing compared to Ethan. The moment Ethan's lips were bitten, the taste of blood spread in his mouth. In pain, he released Chloe. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Haven't seen you in years, and you've become so wild?"