Three Years of not Being Chosen, I Left Chapter 03

Three Years of not Being Chosen, I Left Chapter 03

Weekend was Mrs. Caldwell’s birthday. I’d already promised to go.

Sophia was already in the living room chatting with her when I arrived.

After dinner Mrs. Caldwell called everyone over for photos.

I started walking over. Ethan casually handed me his phone.

“Nora, you take it. You’re better at this.”

Sophia was already standing next to him. Mrs. Caldwell looped one arm through Sophia’s and the other through Ethan’s, beaming.

After cake, Mrs. Caldwell brought up the wedding again.

“You’ve been together three years. It’s time to settle things.”

I opened my mouth. Ethan spoke first.

“Mother, don’t pressure her. Nora’s been slammed at work. We’ll talk when she’s ready.”

Mrs. Caldwell turned to Sophia with a smile.

“Sophia, what color do you want for your room?”

My hand froze mid-reach for my coffee.

“What room?”

Mrs. Caldwell realized her slip and quickly passed me the floor plan from the coffee table.

“The marital home. Ethan said since Sophia isn’t planning to get married, we might as well leave her a room.”

I looked down.

The master bedroom had been circled in red pen.

Next to it, two words: Sophia.

Ethan pulled me aside.

“Perfect timing. There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

“Sophia’s family property is going through redevelopment. The compensation is tied up with the marriage paperwork.”

“She’s not planning to marry anyone anyway. I figured we’d get a marriage license, take care of the paperwork, then divorce later.”

My mind went blank for a few seconds.

“What did you just say?”

Ethan frowned like I was being slow.

“I mean the three of us live together. Sophia isn’t getting married, so what’s the problem?”

He handed me his phone.

He’d even saved the redevelopment policy in case I didn’t believe him.

Below that: their registration appointment.

Date set for next month.

Premarital checkup, documents, everything needed for the license—itemized and checked off.

They’d already planned the living arrangements too.

Sophia in the master bedroom. The two of us in the secondary.

Meals together. Holidays, they go to the Caldwell house; I go to mine.

I read every line.

I suddenly remembered what Ethan had said on our anniversary.

“Three’s more fun.”

He’d already decided, even then, that the future he wanted didn’t just include me and him.

Sophia looked uneasy when I stayed silent.

“Nora, if you don’t agree, just say so.”

Ethan scowled.

“What do you mean ‘just say so’?”

He turned to me, voice completely reasonable.

“It’s only a marriage license. It’s not a real marriage.”

“You and I are still dating. Nothing changes.”

Like he was afraid I still didn’t get it, he added:

“Sophia isn’t getting married or having kids. When we’re old, our kids can look after all three of us.”

Sophia blinked, then laughed and shoved him.

“Who said I want your kids taking care of me?”

Ethan laughed too.

“Why not? We’re family.”

“Family…”

“Then what am I?”

Ethan didn’t even pause.

“You’re my girlfriend, of course.”

I laughed.

So Sophia could be the wife.

Sophia could have a place in the home.

They’d even divided up our future children’s lives for me.

The only title left for me was girlfriend.

I nodded.

“Fine.”

“Then starting today, I’m not that either.”

Ethan froze.

I looked straight at him.

“Ethan, we’re done.”

I turned and walked out.

He stood there, face dark.

Sophia whispered, “Maybe we should cancel the license.”

“Cancel what?”

He yanked at his collar, irritated.

“Nora’s just pissed. She’ll cool off in a couple days.”