He Said ‘Of Course’ to Every Insult About Me, I Said ‘Of Course’ to Walking Away Chapter 08

He Said ‘Of Course’ to Every Insult About Me, I Said ‘Of Course’ to Walking Away Chapter 08

(Ethan’s POV)

On the flight back, Ethan’s mind wandered hazily over the years.

He never imagined he’d feel this wrecked after Natalie left.

At first, he just hated her ruthlessness.

She’d destroyed everything he’d worked so hard for, then just walked away like it was nothing.

How dare she?

He knew she came from a good family.

But he had nothing. He’d clawed his way up through sheer effort.

Wasn’t it right for him to treasure what he had?

Everything he’d schemed and scrambled for-wasn’t it all for a better future?

After the press conference disaster, he didn’t look for Natalie.

He was too full of resentment.

But when he got home and saw the empty living room, a strange lost feeling hit him.

In six years together, this home had filled up with all the little things she’d added. The mystery plant box on the windowsill, the fluffy hand towel in the kitchen…

Ethan remembered saying he’d always fall in love with her all over again through those little

details.

He also remembered the deep exhaustion in Natalie’s eyes the night the game ended.

How had he not noticed it then?

The flight attendant announced they could raise the window shades. He slowly sat up.

In the row ahead, a young couple sat close. It made him think of them.

They whispered to each other intimately. He was transported back to that summer during their

school days.

Under a wobbly basketball hoop, he saw a girl crouching, dazed.

His body moved before his brain. He lunged and saved her.

He’d carry a long scar on his leg forever. But he never regretted it. Her head had been right underneath. No one would’ve hesitated.

Even more because after that, he’d gained a little shadow who followed him everywhere.

He remembered Natalie’s blushing cheeks when she confessed. Back then, he’d thought they’d spend their whole lives together.

It wasn’t that he didn’t know she couldn’t fit into their friendship.

But Naomi was right. He was the worst kind of coward.

The plane took off. A weightless feeling washed over him.

Natalie was so well-liked, but he only had these few friends.

She always seemed better than him at everything. She never seemed to need him at all.

Every time she got jealous over Naomi, he felt this secret little thrill-like he was winning at

something.

Maybe there was even some twisted pleasure.

Sure, sometimes she got mad, but if he just apologized nicely and sweet-talked her, it’d be fine,

right?

After all those years, she’d never once talked about leaving.

But he never imagined that private rant he’d vented to Jack would be thrown in her face in front of

everyone during a game.

Tiny lights flickered outside the window, making his vision blur.

“You said you didn’t want to get married so soon because you’re still hung up on Naomi, right?”

How was that even possible? What did Naomi have to do with anything?

“Of course.”

“Marrying Natalie-was that just settling?”

I’ve been waiting for this day forever.

“Of course.”

“Ethan, is Natalie the woman you love most?”

Of course.

He wanted to say it, but his mouth wouldn’t open.

He saw Jack’s mocking grin. He saw Naomi’s subtle head shake.

But he didn’t see Natalie’s clenched fists, her furrowed brows, or her bitten, bleeding lip.

How could this be? But then again, Natalie had never said she loved him in public either.

In that moment, he forgot the girl who’d confessed under the tree.

A second passed. He lifted his hand and drank the glass in front of him.

It was bitter. Awful.

The flight attendant asked what he’d like to drink. He ordered a water.

He should’ve understood long ago.

Later, Natalie seemed like a different person. He was panicked inside but refused to show it.

He could only console himself and fake calmness.

See,

I’m still hanging out with them.

See, she still cares!

But what she did to Naomi-that crossed the line.

No problem. Just apologize and I’ll smooth it over.

Ethan kept believing what he wanted to believe, until he realized how terribly wrong he was.

Naomi and Jack had actually conspired to hurt her!

But when he confronted them, everyone said: Isn’t this what you wanted?

In that instant, he stood frozen, speechless.

So all his actions had been seen as contempt, as silent approval.

He’d been relishing that vicious satisfaction, ignoring her crying eyes.

Ethan wiped a tear from the corner of his eye and leaned against the plane window.

He thought of Natalie and Liam’s embrace just now, and the happiness on her face when she mentioned their wedding.

He was the one who lost everything.

The plane landed. The couple ahead held hands and walked off.