He Replaced Me in Three Days So I Replaced Him in One Night Chapter 02

He Replaced Me in Three Days So I Replaced Him in One Night Chapter 02

He didn’t turn around. But his reply came, casual and certain. “You could never bring yourself to leave.”

I took a deep breath, leaning against the sofa— even my breathing grew tight.

He was right.

Once, I truly couldn’t bear it.

Or perhaps I was just unwilling to admit defeat.

I’d wondered countless times: if he didn’t love me, what kind of person would he choose?

I’d thought I might fight for him.

But now that I’d seen it, it felt—

utterly pointless.

I calmed my emotions, and when I opened my eyes again,

Ethan stood by the cake, cutting it.

His movements were awkward but intensely focused as he sawed out a piece shaped like a pink rabbit. Then, with clumsy concentration, he tried to balance two strawberries on top. They kept sliding off, lopsided.

Finally, he tossed the knife aside, glancing around for help.

But in the pastry kitchen, it was just me.

“Can you help me? She ordered me— if I mess this up, she won’t let me see her.”

Ethan held out a pink tray. I reached for it,

The moment my fingers brushed the edge of the tray, he jerked his hand back as if scalded. I took the knife and cut a clean slice. In the mirrored wall behind him, I watched his reflection—

he hung his head, rubbing the hand that had touched mine.

I believed him now: the thought of marrying me truly disgusted him.

“Ethan, I mean it. We’re over.”

At my words, Ethan looked up, took the cake from me, and nodded.

“Fine.”

The party lasted all night— no one was allowed to leave until morning.

I had no choice but to wait until dawn to leave.

Once outside, I went to the bar and ordered two drinks.

Maybe it was resentment toward his promiscuity, or anger at my own weakness—

before I knew it, I’d had a few more.

As full night descended, a bonfire was lit. Ethan and his crew were celebrating his birthday around the flames.

His so-called friends were thoroughly wasted, their words slurring into crudeness.

“Ethan, Clara’s so in love with you. If you talk to her right, she’d put up with not just one other girl, but even a second or third.”

“Tsk, can you talk? That’s clearly the new girl, right? The new girl?”

“Yeah yeah yeah, my bad. I’ll drink three to make up for it.”

I sat at the bar, sipping my drink. In my haze, I felt a gaze fixed on me.

“It’s midnight, Ethan! Happy birthday! Make a wish!”

After blowing out the candles, they cheered excitedly, “Kiss her! Kiss her!”

“Ethan, what did you wish for?”

The music faded during the interlude. Ethan’s voice was firm and sincere,

“Wish Clara peace and joy.”

The girl—Lila—blinked, her smile faltering. “Clara? Who’s Clara?” In that instant, as if pulled by a single string, every head turned.

Every eye found me.

Clara. That’s me.