My Boyfriend’s “Just a Friend” Became the Reason I Walked Away Chapter 05

My Boyfriend’s “Just a Friend” Became the Reason I Walked Away Chapter 05

Early the next morning, Vanessa walked into Ethan’s office carrying a cup of coffee.

When she noticed the dark circles beneath his eyes, she teased him casually.

“What’s wrong? Still thinking about Claire?”

She stirred her coffee, making no attempt to hide her contempt.

“Honestly, working reception is about all Claire is good for. What could she possibly know about design? Keeping her around to bring you coffee and handle errands was probably the kindest thing

you could’ve done for her.”

Ethan’s ears began to ring. For the first time, Vanessa’s words made him realize exactly what he

had done.

He remembered Claire in college, when she had been a gifted architecture student singled out by

her professors for special mentoring.

Her graduation project had even earned a nomination for the International Emerging Architect

Award.

Back then, she had stood in the spotlight, confident and radiant.

Yet after graduation, he had been the one to tell her, “Claire, working in design is exhausting. You

don’t need to put yourself through all that. Just stay at the firm and help me.”

He had been the one who talked her out of the future she had worked so hard for.

Because of him, she had given up her dream and willingly taken a job at the front desk.

Ethan shot to his feet, grabbed his car keys, and rushed out of the office.

“Ethan, where are you going?” Vanessa called after him./

He ignored her and drove straight back to the apartment they had shared.

The moment he opened the door, he found the apartment silent and empty.

He hurried into the bedroom and yanked open the closet. More than half of it was empty.

Claire’s clothes, shoes, and personal belongings were all gone.

His chest tightened with panic, and for a moment, he could barely breathe.

He sank onto the edge of the bed and finally understood that Claire hadn’t been throwing a tantrum.

She had truly left him.

Ethan pulled out his phone and called me.

“The

person you are calling is unavailable. Please try again later.”

He took a deep breath and made up his mind.

Vanessa would have to move out of the apartment.

He would find Claire and ask her to marry him.

Half an hour later, Vanessa returned.

Ethan looked at her and spoke flatly.

“From now on, we’ll discuss work at the office. You don’t need to come here anymore.”

The smile on Vanessa’s face disappeared.

She stared at him in disbelief.

“Ethan, what are you talking about?”

“I’m going to propose to Claire.”

He wasn’t asking for her opinion. He was simply informing her of his decision.

“You can’t keep living here.”

With that, he turned, walked into the study, and slammed the door behind him.

Vanessa remained where she was, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.

She had been in love with Ethan since their freshman year.

To get close to him, she had deliberately befriended Claire and used her to learn everything about Ethan’s preferences. Little by little, she had pushed Claire aside and made herself the person Ethan relied on.

It had taken her five years to finally stand beside him.

There was no way she would let a mere receptionist take him back.

Her expression turned cold.

She would never let Claire win.

Not now. Not ever.