Chapter 7: The Birthday Gift

On the eve of my birthday, Ethan drove over to pick me up.

The night was warm, cicadas buzzing in the trees. His car smelled like leather and expensive cologne, country music playing softly on the radio.

When I got in, he handed me an exquisitely wrapped velvet box.

"Open it and see."

I didn’t open it.

Ethan turned the car and raised his eyebrows. "Not happy?"

"Don’t worry, this isn’t the birthday present. The main event is tomorrow."

"See if you like it."

I exhaled gently, trying to keep my voice calm and normal.

"I want to open it together with the birthday present tomorrow."

Ethan didn’t suspect anything. "Up to you."

But when I got out of the car, I slipped the box into the glove compartment while he wasn’t looking.

Halfway through the party,

Ethan got tipsy, and as always,

Put his arm around me and stood up. "You guys have fun. I’ll take our silly girl home."

I didn’t say anything, just let him lead me out.

Through a long, seemingly endless corridor.

He put his arm around my shoulder, lowered his head, and rubbed the top of my hair.

Near the end, he suddenly pinned me against the sink. "Mariah, let’s try here, okay?"

I lowered my head and pushed him away.

He thought I was just shy, scared, nervous.

Smiling beautifully, coaxing, "Don’t be afraid. Good girl, I’m here. I won’t ignore you."

As he spoke, he leaned in to kiss me.

I used to be infatuated with all his scents.

Even the cigarette smell I used to hate.

Other men absolutely couldn’t have it, but Ethan could.

I thought maybe that was a physiological attraction, carved into my bones.

Impossible to resist.

But at that moment, as his lips were about to touch mine,

I turned my face away and pushed him off.

My hands shook, but I didn’t let myself give in. I stared at the sink, the water running, wishing I could disappear into the pipes.