Chapter 2: Chaos in the Garden

It started when Ethan asked me to go with him to a gala.

I never fit in with those circles of wealthy elites. I wanted to say no, but after three months filming out of town, I really missed him.

So I went anyway.

As expected, I ran into people I didn’t want to see. I tried to avoid them, but they wouldn’t let me go.

I escaped to the small garden to get some air, but Lillian Evans and Courtney Price followed me.

Lillian was Ethan’s childhood friend. Her family had moved to London for business years ago, and she’d only just returned.

Courtney was my nemesis, always buying negative press and trending hashtags to smear me.

I didn’t expect the two of them to actually know each other.

I sat on a bench, not wanting to move. Courtney crossed her arms and said, her voice dripping with sarcasm:

"Isn’t today Mr. Hamilton’s engagement party? Why can just anyone show up?"

Lillian glanced at me, her voice flat. "Didn’t you drag me out here because you had something to say? Is this it?"

Courtney smiled, sucking up to her. "Lil, don’t be anxious. It’s so stuffy inside, we just came out for some air. Let’s chat while we walk~"

Lillian didn’t reply, just leaned lightly by the pool.

The garden lights flickered above us, and the sharp scent of cut grass mixed with chlorine from the pool.

"Lil, are you and Ethan about to have an arranged marriage?"

"Yes, it’s almost settled."

"That’s wonderful, a perfect match. Some people who don’t know their place should step aside."

Lillian said nothing.

Courtney kept going, but I wasn’t in the mood to listen. I turned to leave, but her next words stopped me cold.

"Some people not only can’t make it themselves, their family is a mess too. That construction accident years ago left so many people jobless. Guess that accident was just karma catching up with your dad, huh?"

My steps faltered. I turned and slapped her twice. My palm stung, but the satisfaction was instant. Still, a cold pit opened in my stomach—what had I just done?

Courtney clutched her face, eyes blazing. "What the hell is wrong with you, Aubrey?"

I sneered, "Talking behind my back is one thing, but saying it to my face—did you really think I wouldn’t hit you?"

Lillian frowned at me. "Miss Harris, this is the Hamiltons’ house. Have you considered the consequences of acting like this?"

My gaze was sharp. "Miss Evans, if it were your parents being insulted like this, I hope you’d also consider the consequences before reacting."

Lillian didn’t reply, but Courtney lunged for my hair, and suddenly we were in an all-out fight. Hands yanked at my hair, nails scratched my arm, and someone’s perfume stung my nose. I’m not sure how Lillian got dragged in, but when Ethan and the others arrived, the three of us were tangled up in a chaotic mess.

Ethan, face dark, pulled me out of the brawl. His jaw was clenched so tight it looked painful, and he wouldn’t meet my eyes.

I looked a wreck, while Lillian on the other side was much more composed.

I glared at Ethan coldly. "So that’s it? You’re really picking her over me?"

He frowned deeply, saying nothing.

I yanked off the ring and threw it at his face. "I’m the one breaking up with you."

After that, I ran out the door, barely holding back tears, and got straight into a yellow cab that had just pulled up.

Every step away from him felt like peeling off a layer of skin I didn’t know I’d grown.

But in the end, I couldn’t help but cry, overwhelmed by a huge sense of grievance.

I had just finished filming yesterday and came to see him full of longing. We barely spoke, I got humiliated, and he sided with someone else.

My phone kept vibrating—it was Ethan calling.

I answered and took the initiative: "The house at Willow Creek is under my name. Move out within a week."

Then I hung up and blocked all his contacts.

Dog of a man, I’m done with him.

The cab driver gave me an awkward glance in the rearview mirror, probably worried I was about to lose it in his backseat. I wiped at my face and tried to breathe, the city lights blurring behind my tears. I wiped my tears, squared my shoulders, and told myself this was the last time I’d ever cry over him. This was it. No more being second best, not even to his memory.