Inside the Carter mansion, we were greeted by
an elegant woman. Ah, Sugar Mama, radiating
class. Seeing her was like seeing dollar signs. I
put on my sweetest smile. “Hi, Auntie! Long
time no see.” “Bella!” Sugar Mama looked
startled, her eyes flicking between Ethan and
- )
88
<
me, then settling on me with a look of approval. “I heard you were back. What brings you here?”
“Just some business with Ethan,” I said
demurely. “And thought I’d impose on you for dinner.” “Nonsense, dear. You’re always
welcome.” During dinner, Sugar Mama beamed,
constantly piling food on my plate, a stark
contrast to her frosty demeanor when Ethan
and I were dating. It was almost overwhelming.
“Come with me.” Ethan finished his meal, stood,
and headed upstairs. Sugar Mama gave me an
encouraging nod. I followed. I expected him to
lead me to his study. Instead, we ended up in
his bedroom. He sat on the couch. “Ask away.”
“Here?” I hesitated. “Where else?” He glanced
at the bed, his expression unreadable. “Did you
have somewhere else in mind?” “No,” I said
quickly. “So, tell me about some memorable
moments in your relationship.” He launched into
a bland retelling of events I’d already read
online, his storytelling skills far inferior to those
of gossip bloggers. I stifled a yawn. “That’s
about it,” he finished, glancing at me. “Boring?”
11 A 44 I stood
1100 if there’s nothing
“A little.” I stood up. “So, if there’s nothing.
else…” He pointed at the door. The message
was clear. Get out. Jerk. Couldn’t even pretend
to be interested. I trudged to the door, then
turned back. He was looking at his phone,
completely ignoring me. I bit my lip and rushed.
back, stopping in front of him. “Ethan.” He
looked up. I leaned in and kissed him hard, then
bolted. In my haste, I missed the blank screen.
of his phone and the amusement in his eyes.
Since Ethan wasn’t giving me much to work
with, I resorted to more online research. After
diligently studying their love story and Chloe’s
style, I designed a jade jewelry set. To my
surprise, Chloe rocked it on the red carpet, and
the internet exploded with
#BellaChloe Design Dream Team. If I weren’t
involved, I’d ship it myself.
Sugar Mama invited me to her birthday party.
Primarily, I suspected, to give me more
opportunities to snag her son. I agonized over
her gift for days, finally splurging on a pair of
<
carnelian earrings
―
a whopping $500 from my
precious savings. I thought I was being frugal.
Then I saw Chloe’s gift. She plastered a smile
on her face and linked arms with Sugar Mama,
announcing, “Auntie, I’m giving you thirty million
dollars!” My heart sank. Why didn’t I think of
that? “Ten million for happiness, ten million for
health, and ten million for joy!” With every “ten
million,” Sugar Mama’s face darkened. By the
end, she looked ready to explode, her
expression screaming, “Do I look joyful?”
Thanks to Chloe’s extravagant gesture, my
humble earrings suddenly seemed… thoughtful.
I silently thanked her for being so cheap. Sugar
Mama picked up the earrings and called Ethan
over, praising me in front of him. “Look at
Bella’s exquisite taste! These are perfect for
me!” “The carnelian is…” She trailed off, unable
to find any more compliments for my online
purchase. She changed tactics, turning to Ethan
with a pained expression. “Honey, is Chloe
upset with me?” “Mom, don’t overthink it. She’s
just… not great with social cues.” Chloe, who’d
<
appeared out of nowhere, chimed in, “Exactly,
Auntie. I’m great at a lot of things, but social graces aren’t my forte. Bear with me.” Sugar Mama’s face turned thunderous. Chloe radiated
a “Your son loves me, deal with it” vibe, and Ethan remained silent. The perfect “I have a girlfriend, so I forgot I have a mother” tableau. Sugar Mama caught my eye. It was my cue. I launched into action. “Not great with social cues? You didn’t even bring a gift. Do you even respect Auntie?” Chloe clung to Ethan’s arm, pouting. “Ethan is my whole world. There’s no room for anyone else.” Sugar Mama’s lips twitched. I wanted to roll my eyes. Ethan, meanwhile, looked utterly detached. I stepped forward, taking Chloe’s hand. “Honey, your devotion is touching. But you’re just the
replacement, you know.”
“You’re just keeping the seat warm for me. Why make things so complicated?” I tilted my chin towards Ethan, batting my eyelashes.
“Right, Ethan, honey?” My voice dripped with
<
fake sweetness. Ethan’s lips thinned, his face
impassive, but his ears turned pink. Chloe,
oblivious, shielded him like a mother hen. “What
are you so smug about? You two are over.
Maybe we started because I look like you, but
now, he loves me.” I surveyed them, hiding a
smile. “Loves you? Doesn’t look like it.” Stung,
Chloe stamped her foot. “Ethan, say
something!” “Ethan, honey, doesn’t want to talk
to you. You’re in showbiz, you should be able to
read the room.” I took a glass of wine from a
passing waiter and “accidentally” tilted it. Red
wine splashed across Chloe’s pristine white
dress. I blinked innocently. “Oops.
Butterfingers.” Furious, Chloe stomped off to
change, glancing back repeatedly as if afraid I’d
steal her boyfriend. Sugar Mama had vanished,
conveniently leaving us alone. I twirled a lock of
hair and sauntered towards Ethan. He looked
down at me. “Done playing games?” I didn’t
answer. As I reached him, I pretended to
stumble. The world spun, and a strong arm
caught my waist. I grabbed his shoulder,
<
laughing. “My feet are slippery too, apparently.”
His expression was cool, his eyes sharp. “Is this all you learned abroad?” “Of course not.” I
stood on tiptoe, whispering in his ear. “I always knew how to do this. I just never bothered to use it on you.” His ears, which had just returned to their normal color, turned pink again. He remained stoic. “Amateur.” Amateur, but
effective. I ignored him, grabbed a glass of juice, and took a sip before continuing. “She
said we were over. But the past can become
the present. Ethan, I wanted to ask… after
three years, did you miss me?” He looked at
me, his eyes devoid of emotion. “Not even a
little.” I scoffed. “Liar.” “You’re the one who
walked away. Now you’re back, playing these
games.” His voice was low and cold, his
presence suddenly overwhelming. “Do you think
I’m some toy you can pick up and discard
whenever you feel like it, Bella?” “Of course
not.” I gave him a soft, sweet smile. “It was all
my fault. I was foolish. What will it take for you
to forgive me?” “Beg.”
