He Put Our Love on Pause, Then Married Her Behind My Back Chapter 02

Early the next morning, I’d barely reached the hospital when my phone started buzzing nonstop. Our friends’ group chat was blowing up. The family chat was full of screenshots, too.

I opened Ethan’s Facebook page. He’d posted a photo with his arm around Sophie. The caption was a single line.

[Meet my girlfriend.]

Congratulations filled the comments. Ryan’s was first.

[Perfect together. About time.]

I stared at the photo for a long time. Then Aunt Diane called.

“Claire, what’s going on? Haven’t you been telling us you’re with Ethan?”

My throat was dry.

“I’ve been with him for five years,” I said quietly.

She went quiet, then her tone changed.

“Then what does that make you now? Claire, don’t do something you’ll regret.”

More messages appeared in the family chat.

[The Walkers have done so much for your grandma. Don’t be ungrateful.]

[He’s already gone public with his girlfriend. Why are you still chasing him?]

I turned off the screen and leaned against the wall. It took a while before I could hold back the tears.

Grandma wasn’t well. I couldn’t let her find out. Before I went into her room, I messaged the relatives I was closest to.

[Please don’t tell Grandma yet. I’ll handle it.]

Grandma was propped up in bed, waiting for me. The first thing she asked was, “Where’s Ethan? Why didn’t he come?”

I handed her the soup.

“He’s busy.”

She sighed.

“You’ve been together so long. When are you going to meet his family?”

I tucked the blanket around her.

“Let’s wait until you’re feeling better.”

She nodded and pulled a folded handkerchief from beneath her pillow.

“I picked out a few dates that might work for your wedding. Show them to Ethan.”

My fingers trembled as I took it. I unfolded the handkerchief, photographed the dates on the slip of paper inside, then tucked everything back under her pillow.

Out in the hallway, I called Ethan three times. The first two went unanswered. He finally picked up on the third, his voice cold.

“What do you need?”

“Take down the post. Ethan, my relatives have all seen it. Grandma could see it any minute.”

“I’m not taking it down. I told you last night.” He didn’t hesitate.

“Come over. We’ll talk in person.”

He hung up. I arranged for a caregiver to stay with Grandma and hurried back to the house Ethan and I had shared for two years.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked him.

“What if Grandma sees it?”

He set a photo album on the coffee table.

“You should’ve thought of that before you went to singles’ night.”

Sophie opened it.

“Claire, this is how things are now,” she said softly.

“You can’t keep putting Ethan in the middle.”

I looked down. The album was full of photos from their couples shoot that day.

The backdrop was our home. The home I’d put together, piece by piece.

I closed the album and pushed it back.

“Don’t flaunt your relationship in my home.”

Sophie went pale. Ethan immediately stepped in front of her.

“Watch how you talk to her, Claire.”

My chest tightened at the way he shielded her.

She tugged lightly at his sleeve.

“Ethan, maybe I should go. She’ll think I’m taking her place.”

Ethan took her hand.

“You’re not the one who needs to leave,” he told her, looking straight at me.

It took me a few seconds to find my voice.

“What did you say?”

“If you can’t accept her, pack your things and move out.”

I stared at him, my eyes burning.

“I made this place our home.”

His voice stayed calm.

“I own the house. Soph and I are going to live here after we get married.”

Their home after the wedding. My fingers went cold.

I said nothing else and went into the bedroom. I packed the things I’d need right away into a suitcase.

Ethan leaned against the doorframe, watching.

“Stop being dramatic. Where’s the money for Grandma’s medical bills coming from next month?”

I zipped the suitcase shut and looked up at him.

“I’ll find a way. I don’t want this place anymore.”