He Tripped Me at the Wedding So She Could Catch the Bouquet Chapter 02

He Tripped Me at the Wedding So She Could Catch the Bouquet Chapter 02

I stayed at the recovery center for another two weeks. Ethan only came twice.

He never lasted more than ten minutes.

“There’s not much I can do here anyway. Got things to take care of. I’ll head out.”

He couldn’t do much. And he was busy.

His phone kept buzzing. Zoe’s name kept popping up.

He replied to every single one without looking up. “I’ll come get you when you’re discharged.”

But he didn’t remember the day I was getting out.

The caregiver called him.

He didn’t listen to what she said. Just mumbled a couple of distracted “uh-huhs” and rushed to hang up.

“I’m swamped over here. Whatever it is, you guys handle it.”

In the background, I could hear Zoe calling his name, all sweet and syrupy.

The caregiver stared at her phone, then gave me an awkward look.

The house was buzzing when I got home.

I pushed the door open. A woman I didn’t recognize was carrying the last dish out of the kitchen, chattering as she went.

“Ethan, you have to try this. It’s my signature dish.”

“Zoe’s absolute favorite.”

Ethan laughed, smooth as ever.

“Zoe’s favorite? Then I know I’ll love it. She’s been telling me about your cooking forever.”

Zoe buried her face in her hands, cheeks burning red.

I stepped inside. It felt like I was interrupting something, like I was the outsider in my own home.

Zoe’s mom hesitated. “And who’s this?”

Ethan stood up, already steering me toward the door, one hand on my shoulder, the other waving off Zoe’s family.

He searched for a label, and finally settled on one.

“She’s my assistant. Just dropping something off.”

My body was tired. My heart was tired too.

Ethan grabbed my hand. “After Zoe’s divorce, her parents have been on her case nonstop.”

“She panicked and told them she had a new boyfriend.”

“Then they showed up out of nowhere. So she asked me to help.”

“Just play along as her boyfriend for a few days. Until they leave.”

He shrugged, like it was no big deal, and gave my hand a little shake.

“Ethan. When did they get here?”

He blinked, like he didn’t expect me to ask. Then he told me the date.

The day I had my surgery.

I let out a slow, quiet laugh.

“No wonder you’ve been so busy lately.”

He saw me smile and relaxed.

“You know Zoe’s been with me through a lot these past few years.”

“She’s my assistant, but she’s also my friend. I couldn’t really turn her down.”

“I put in a little time, her parents go home thinking she’s doing fine. Everyone wins.”

He’d thought it all through. Every angle.

I said it, genuinely. “Ethan. You’re so good to her.”

I put my hand on his chest and pushed him back.

Zoe came out right behind him, rushing to stand in front of him like I was some kind of threat.

“Ellie, don’t! Don’t hit him!”

“It was my idea. I asked Ethan to help. Blame me, not him!”

“My apartment’s too small, and he knew my parents barely ever visit. He figured since you weren’t around anyway, it’d be fine if we stayed here.”

My being gone worked in their favor.

Not just a meal. Not just a dinner. They were living together.

“Don’t fight because of me. I’ll take my parents and leave right now.”

She said she was leaving, but she didn’t move an inch.

Ethan pulled her behind him and lowered his voice.

“Don’t worry about me. No one’s fighting.”

“Your parents are almost gone. Stop overthinking. Just stay.”

Zoe looked at me nervously.

“Ellie… you’re okay with this?”

I watched the light fall on their hands, still touching.

I gave a quiet “Mm.”

“I don’t mind.”

“It’s Ethan’s place. If he wants you to stay, then stay.”

I thought about a lot of things. Me and Ethan. Him and Zoe. Myself.

And I realized, there was nothing left to care about.

I was going to break up with Ethan Hale.