He Said ‘Of Course’ to Every Insult About Me, I Said ‘Of Course’ to Walking Away Chapter 07

He Said ‘Of Course’ to Every Insult About Me, I Said ‘Of Course’ to Walking Away Chapter 07

I saw Ethan again many years later.

And I barely recognized him.

I’d just wrapped up work. Liam dropped me off.

We kissed on the curb, saying a lingering goodbye at the corner near my house.

He had a new project tomorrow and needed to prep.

I headed to my front yard, but under the streetlamp by the gate stood a stubborn silhouette.

Thinking it was another neighborhood drunk, I sped up while pretending to be on the phone.

But the man behind me sped up too.

Just as I was about to test a self-defense move I’d learned, the man spoke.

“Natalie!”

That familiar voice made me slow down.

I turned, incredulous.

There was Ethan, bent over, hands on his knees, panting. He couldn’t bring himself to look at me.

I studied the man in front of me.

He was gaunt, almost skeletal, nothing but skin and bones.

He weakly lifted his head, his voice careful. “Natalie… are you okay?”

I paused.

“I’m good. If that’s all you came here to say, you can go.”

“No, that’s not-”

“I, I came to apologize. I’m sorry…”

He clenched his hands and mumbled. He was nothing like the slick, confident Ethan I remembered

from social events.

When I didn’t reply he pulled out a small box.

“This is… the ring we were going to use for our wedding.”

“But you probably don’t need it anymore.”

He gave a bitter, self-mocking laugh.

“You and Liam-you’re really together?”

“Didn’t you see for yourself?”

Truth was, Ethan had been right back then. Liam had always been like a brother to me.

He protected me when we were kids. We grew up together.

After he graduated high school and went abroad, we drifted apart.

During those years struggling out here, Liam and I supported each other and grew close again.

Then on my birthday, he confessed his feelings.

Having seen so much fake affection and the coldness of people,

I understood even more how precious his sincerity was.

So I agreed to take it slow with him. Now, our relationship is stronger than ever. “We’re getting

married this year.”

Ethan’s expression crumbled even further.

“That’s good, that’s good. We were just one day short back then… Natalie, if I hadn’t played that damn game, would there have been a chance for us?”

Looking at his red-rimmed eyes, I felt nothing stir inside me.

It was almost laughable.

“You still think that game was all that stood between us?”

“All those times you blew off my feelings for those two. Every single time you chose Naomi over

You had to know this day was coming.”
Ethan slowly sank to his knees, hands covering his face, sobbing messily.

“I… I really regret it! I was wrong, I…”

“I just wanted to make the company successful, to give you a better future!”

I let out a soft laugh,

“Cut the self-pity, Ethan.”

“You don’t regret hurting me. What scares you is that I torched your precious empire, your little pride and joy, and that smug ego of yours.”

“Even showing up here right now? That’s not love. That’s you not being able to stand losing.

Someone like you is gonna hide behind that mask for the rest of your life.”

After saying my piece, I didn’t look at him again. I turned and walked away.

Ethan sat there frozen, the ring falling at his feet.

After a long silence, all he said was:

“I hope you’ll be happy.”

I didn’t stop. I walked toward my little home, warm light glowing inside.

Of course I’ll be happy.

I don’t need his blessing. I can find my own happiness.