Chapter 4
Seeing that I was silent, she tilted her head slightly, carefully studying my face.
“I’ve wanted to say this since the first time we met–don’t you think we look very much alike, little sister?”
In that moment, I had never felt such humiliation and disgrace. Under her triumphant gaze, I could only flee in panic. Back in the private room, my colleagues‘ warmth began to thaw my icy blood. Just as I was about to cast aside that unpleasant encounter, the door to the room swung
open.
Seeing the two full tables of people, Ethan froze for a moment, then locked eyes with me. I could see the restrained anger in his gaze, though I couldn’t understand why.
He clenched his fists before finally calling my name, ordering me outside. Puzzled, I followed him out, only to be met with a
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hard slap in the corridor.
It was the first time he had ever hit me.
As I stared at him in disbelief, he showed no sign of guilt or hesitation–just pure fury.
“Why did you push Amanda? You knew she had a twisted ankle! I told you I’d explain things when we got back, but you just had to handle it so harshly?”
My cheek burned with pain.
In the distance, Amanda hobbled toward us, her shirt rumpled, stained with water and dirt. Just as I opened my mouth to explain, she fell to the ground with a dramatic thud.
Without a second thought, Ethan pushed past me and rushed over, cradling her in
his arms.
“I told you I’d bring her over to apologize to you. Why did you come out here?” he said.
Though his words sounded reproachful, his
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voice was filled with tenderness.
With tears in her eyes, Amanda shook her head at him. “It’s not a big deal; she didn’t do it on purpose. Don’t be so hard on her.”
“If her brother finds out you hit his sister, it might hurt the bond between you two,” she
added.
At the mention of my brother, a strange expression crossed Ethan’s face, but his resolve returned as he looked back at
Amanda.
“Her brother entrusted her to me, so it’s my duty to correct her when she’s in the wrong,” he said firmly.
I laughed bitterly and couldn’t resist. asking, “What exactly did I do wrong? Even in court, you need solid evidence to convict someone. Haven‘ t you thought about how unfair it is to judge me and even lay hands on me without understanding the truth?”
Ethan clenched his fists, glaring at me.
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“You knew there were no cameras in the
restroom, so you thought you could act without consequence.”
I felt both amused and stung by the injustice.
“If there are no cameras, then how can you be sure it was me?”
“Why would Amanda wrongfully accuse you? She must have a reason, right? Besides, I’ve known her for years–she’s not the kind of person who lies.”
“And I am?” I asked, my voice barely hiding the bitterness.
After seven years together, I thought he would trust my character, if nothing else. But I was wrong. In front of Amanda, even seven years meant nothing.
One word from her was all it took to
convict me, leaving me without a chance to defend myself.
It was blatant favoritism, a glaring display
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of partiality. And I, in the end, was nothing more than a stand–in, a replacement with nothing to offer.
Seeing no point in arguing further, I turned to leave, ignoring Ethan‘ s furious
commands to stay.
With the mark of his slap still on my face, I didn’t want to ruin my colleagues‘ mood, so I chose not to return to the private room. Instead, I went to the front desk, paid the bill and sent them a message:
“Something urgent came up, so I had to leave. Enjoy the meal and drinks–it’s on me!”
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