The Bet Behind My Five-Year Love Story Chapter 02

The Bet Behind My Five-Year Love Story Chapter 02

The room went dead quiet.

Then everyone jumped in to smooth it over. “What more proof do you need? Five years together—that’s proof.” “Right—marriage is proof.” “How about you two save the lovey-dovey stuff for the big day and cut your only single friend some slack?”

I forced a smile, said nothing, and went back to eating.

Ethan let out a long, relieved breath.

After dinner, I hadn’t had a drop to drink, so I was driving.

Ethan’s hand touched the passenger door—then pulled back. “I’ll sit with Chloe.”

He got in the back with her. I didn’t say a word and started the drive home.

In the rearview mirror, I watched him gently rest her head on his shoulder, murmuring, “Stay still—you’ll feel worse if you move.”

My grip on the wheel tightened.

A while back, I’d gotten wrecked at a work dinner—could barely stand—and asked him to pick me up. He said he was busy. Told me to get the alcohol smell off before coming home.

I thought that was just who he was. But turns out, he knew how to take care of someone—he just didn’t want to take care of me.

We passed the night market, and he told me to pull over. He laid Chloe gently against the seat and hurried off into the stalls.

That’s when Chloe opened her eyes, swaying as she leaned toward me. “Aria, Ethan’s amazing. I’m so jealous.”

Her hazy gaze held that same innocence from when we were kids.

She’s seven years younger than me. When I was a senior in high school, our parents died in a car accident. Just the two of us left.

I tore up my acceptance letter, took three jobs, and put her through school. At night, I’d collapse into bed, too wiped to move. She’d fumble to help me change, crying. “When I grow up, I’m going to give you everything good in the world.”

That little face from back then merged with the one in front of me now. She gave a sly smile. “How about this—why don’t you just give Ethan to me?”

It felt like someone had squeezed my heart. I couldn’t breathe.

I didn’t answer, and she sank back into the seat.

I couldn’t tell if it was the alcohol talking or the truth.

My eyes caught the Swarovski bracelet on her wrist—the one I’d had in my shopping cart forever but never bought for myself.

I looked out the window. Ethan was walking back, carrying her favorite honey lemon tea.

He got in, and she leaned against him naturally, eyes closed, mouth open.

He stuck the straw in and held it to her lips. She sipped, smiling. “Ethan, this is so good. Did you get one for Aria?”

He paused. “She doesn’t drink this stuff.”

I said nothing.

This night market had my favorite red bean pudding. I’d mentioned it to him at least ten times.

He never remembered.

“Oh.” Chloe pouted, then pushed the cup toward him. “Try it. It’s really good.”

He took a sip—right off her straw. No hesitation. “Sweet.”

She beamed. “Aria, you should try some too—” Then she shook her head quickly and waved it off. “Never mind. You never eat after anyone.”

He looked at her, his eyes full of that mix of patience and softness I knew too well.

He’d forgotten. He used to have a thing about germs—wouldn’t even eat off the fork I’d used.

My eyes burned. I said quietly, “Okay.”

I was the extra one. So I’d step aside.

At home, I settled Chloe into the guest room, then sat alone in the living room and sent my boss the application for overseas assignment.

I’d barely touched dinner, and my stomach was starting to ache. I curled up on the couch.

Ethan saw me and frowned. A few minutes later, he set a bowl of soup on the coffee table. “Here. You barely ate—your stomach’s gonna act up.”

Steam rose from the bowl, and my eyes stung.

I took the spoon and lifted one to my mouth.

It tasted exactly like the first bowl I’d ever had with him.

I was young back then, working odd jobs to make ends meet. At a food stall near the university, I ran into a creepy customer. The owner didn’t back me up—he accused me of being loose and tried to stiff me on my pay.

I was so humiliated I couldn’t stop crying.

Ethan stepped in. He testified for me, told them the guy had been harassing me. The owner paid up, grudgingly.

I bought him a bowl of soup, and he told me all about college. Said I should go back to school, that I couldn’t live like that forever.

I took his words to heart. I worked and studied, and I never gave up on myself.

If raising Chloe was a duty I couldn’t escape, then Ethan Cole was the light in that long, dark night.

So when I met him again years later and he pursued me, I gave him my whole heart without holding anything back.

Through the steam, I couldn’t quite make out his face.

“So. The reason you don’t take me seriously—is it because you got me in two days?”