Fifty Bowls, One Broken Engagement Chapter 02

Fifty Bowls, One Broken Engagement Chapter 02

By the time I headed home, a light rain had started.

I had no umbrella and didn’t call a rideshare. I walked all the way back to our rental, soaked through, and saw Ethan putting Megan to sleep through the half-open bedroom door.

He was telling her sweet little stories I’d never heard before.

He must have heard my footsteps.

Ethan turned, pressed a finger to his lips, then picked up his phone and typed quietly.

A WhatsApp message appeared on my screen.

[Keep it down. Megan just fell asleep.]

The day before, I’d been resting with a headache when Ethan brought Megan over.

She blasted the music, laughed at the top of her lungs, and jumped rope in the living room until my ears hurt.

Ethan hadn’t stopped her. He’d handed her fruit and snacks instead.

Only when I finally complained had she quieted down.

That night, Ethan lectured me. “Megan is a guest. Stop being so petty.”

This time, I said nothing. I sat silently on the couch.

At that moment, my old classmate Lucas Hayes sent me the digital agreement.

[Take a look. If everything seems right, we’ll print it and sign.]

I had just opened it when Ethan’s voice cut in.

“What are you investing in? We agreed you’d cover the down payment on our first home. This isn’t the time to throw money around.”

I didn’t answer. I locked my phone and glanced at the laundry basket nearby.

Megan’s pleated skirt, bra, and socks were inside.

“Can you not overthink everything?”

Ethan rushed to explain. “Megan’s clothes got soaked. You two are about the same size, so I let her wear the new nightgown and underwear you bought.”

Ethan had personally chosen that lace set for me.

He had given something that intimate to Megan. The message couldn’t have been clearer.

The clothes weren’t the point. The woman wearing them was.

“Cough… cough…”

A cough came from the bedroom.

“Megan!”

Ethan’s expression tightened, and he rushed back inside.

“What’s wrong? Where does it hurt?”

“My throat’s a little sore,” Megan said pitifully.

“I’ll get you some medicine.”

Ethan sprinted into the living room and started digging through every cabinet.

I watched him rush around for her.

Then I lowered my head and replied to Lucas.

[The agreement looks good. Let’s sign today.]

[And please help me find a new place to live.]

Lucas agreed without hesitation.

I looked toward the bedroom. Ethan was feeding Megan medicine one spoonful at a time.

That rental was too crowded for three people.

So I removed myself.

They could have their peaceful little world for two.

I didn’t interrupt them. I turned around and spent the night in the study.