Ethan Brooks said he would propose on our fourth anniversary. But this year is our eighth year together. He tells me he loves me, while fiercely pursuing a freshman in college. For her, he risked everything, even stealing my mother's heirloom necklace. "Lily hasn't seen many nice things. She really likes this. Just let her have it for a bit, I'll make it up to you later." "Okay." This time, I didn't cry or scream. Instead, I dialed a number. "Julian Thorne, say what you said last time again." He was confused but repeated, "Dump Ethan Brooks and marry me." "Okay, I'll marry you." ... Julian was obviously stunned. We were silent for two minutes. "Serious?" "Yes." Julian chuckled deeply. "I'm waiting for you." 1 "Who are you calling?" Ethan suddenly hugged me from behind, startling me. I locked my phone and shook my head. "Unhappy? You know Lily's family isn't as well off as yours. Be generous." "Mm." Ethan's phone kept buzzing. He looked down to reply, a gentle smile appearing on his lips. It was a message from Lily Hayes. The photo was the most eye-catching part. My mother's necklace was around her neck, resting perfectly in her cleavage. It was a cropped photo, showing the lace of her bra. "Ethan." He sat on the bed, obsessed with the photo. He couldn't help but chuckle. Completely ignoring my voice. "Ethan!" I raised my voice, and he looked up sharply. "What?" "When do you plan to propose?" Ethan put away his phone, scratching his head to hide his expression. "Aren't we... still young?" "Being young is for having fun. To celebrate my wife's generosity today, the boys are throwing a party. Want to come?" Ethan's eyes told me everything. He was waiting for me to refuse. "I..." Ethan suddenly hugged me. "I'll tell them for you. You don't like the smell of alcohol anyway. Wait for me at home, okay?" I looked down and laughed bitterly. Ethan thought I agreed happily. His goal achieved, he didn't waste another word on me. He turned and left with his phone. As he walked out, I saw him zoom in on that photo. Holding my pajamas, I subconsciously looked at myself in the mirror. Average figure. Average face. Lily and I were indeed from two different generations. At midnight, one of Ethan's friends posted an update. It was a video. The music was deafening, the VIP room reeked of decadence. Several young people were cheering on the dance floor. Right when the music paused. I heard a familiar voice. "Lucas, I want to propose to Lily." It was Ethan's voice. Putting down my phone, I stared at the ceiling and took a deep breath. Our relationship survived the seven-year itch, but couldn't survive a single winter. 2 I was about to sleep when I got a message from Ethan's friend, Lucas. A simple sentence: Sister-in-law, can you bring some stomach medicine? Ethan didn't have stomach problems, and neither did Lucas. From Ethan's earlier words, it wasn't hard to guess what they were planning. I didn't know if Lucas calling me was Ethan's idea. When I got there, I leaned against my car for a long time. My legs were starting to go numb before I finally found the courage to go in. It seemed I arrived at the perfect time. Ethan was on one knee. "Lily, I really love you." "Lily, marry me?" "Lily, I want you." The love in Ethan's eyes was overflowing. Lily covered her mouth excitedly across from him. She was very pretty. Her shy look was exactly Ethan's type. "Ethan... I do." Unknowingly, tears were already on my face. Rolling down my chin. The ring he used to propose was my mother's heirloom. Ethan, you really impress me. The two kissed under the spotlight, a perfect couple. But, among the dozen people present. Some were drinking, some smoking, some on their phones. No one clapped. Ethan noticed something was wrong, his face darkening. "Why aren't you guys cheering?" His friends all looked down, acting busy. Ethan looked around, a layer of frost covering his eyes. "You're proposing to her. What about Ava?" Ethan licked his lips, patted Lucas's shoulder, and laughed. "Lucas, do you know what a heartbeat feels like?" "Ava has been with you for eight years." "Shh..." Ethan hushed him. "Don't mention her on such a happy occasion." "The past eight years, I was blind, thinking that was love. Meeting Lily, I learned what love is. I want to give her my everything! But Ava?" Ethan looked at his friends, trying to persuade everyone. "Ava is a princess, she doesn't lack love. But Lily only has me. Do you understand?" "Every time I go home and see Ava's face, I feel bored." "Yes, Ava is good, but she's not the one I want to marry." No one responded to Ethan. Everyone smoked, heads down, silent. "Ethan... maybe, forget it, we don't need cheering..." Crash! Ethan threw a glass. "Cheer!" Usually, when Ethan got angry, everyone backed off. But this time, no one humored him. For a moment, I was dazed too. Eight years ago, none of them liked us together. Seeing me, the spoiled rich girl, they never had a nice expression. They even told Ethan to dump me. Eight years passed, and everyone accepted me as their sister-in-law. Everyone except Ethan. Clap, clap, clap. I clapped three times slowly. All eyes turned to me. Ethan's pupils shrank, panic setting in. "You, why are you here?" Realizing something, Ethan's face changed. "Who called her?" I walked up to Ethan. Lily stood in front of him. Arms spread, a protective posture. Clearly scared, but bravely shielding him. This look, no man could resist. "Ava sister, it's all my fault, don't, don't blame him..." I reached out and took the necklace off Lily's neck. "Ethan, didn't anyone tell you, proposing with a dead person's item brings bad luck?" 3 "Don't scare Lily. Let's talk about this at home." Saying this, Ethan started grabbing his coat from the sofa. As if he wanted to escape quickly. "Ethan, do I still have a home?" Ethan paused, turning to look at me. He pulled me toward the exit. Lily tried to follow. But Lucas stopped her. In the hallway, the lights were dim. I couldn't see Ethan's face clearly. "Lily is young. Her birthday wish this year was for someone to propose to her. I drank too much, I was confused." I didn't speak. Ethan hugged me. Usually when I was mad, he would coax and deceive me like this. And every time, I forgave him. He breathed hotly on me. "Wife, don't be mad." But he didn't know. This time, I wouldn't forgive him. "Then come home with me now." "Okay! Let's go home!" Ethan pulled me toward the exit. Lily was right by the door. I knew she could hear. Three, two... Bang! The door opened. Lily collapsed in the hallway. Ethan ran over almost instantly. "Lily!" "Ethan, I'm fine... is Ava sister mad?" Lily grabbed a huge bottle of liquor. "I'll apologize to Ava sister." She tilted her head and chugged. 58-proof liquor, she downed half the bottle in one go. To get Ethan's attention, she really went all out. "Lily!" Ethan snatched the bottle, heartbroken. "Does Ava sister forgive me?" Ethan turned and roared at me, "Say something!" The man who was just cuddling me dropped the act the moment Lily got hurt. "I never blamed you." Lily coughed, reaching out to me. "Since Ava sister isn't mad, can I have the necklace back? It was a gift from Ethan." I immediately pressed my hand on my bag. "This is my mother's legacy." "But Ethan gave it to me." "It seems sister still doesn't want to forgive me." Saying this, Lily grabbed the bottle again and started drinking. Ethan was frantic. "Ava, give it to her!" Ethan rushed over, trying to snatch my bag. "This is my mom's legacy! Can't you see she's doing it on purpose?!" Ethan wouldn't listen to anything. He tugged at my bag like a mad dog. "Ava, can you not be so dirty-minded? Lily is different from you." "Ava, Lily is just a little girl, can you stop pushing her?" Ethan was too strong. Even though I used all my strength, he snatched the bag. I grabbed at it. Lily grabbed at it too. Finally, the necklace snapped. Silver beads bounced everywhere on the floor. I stared dumbfounded at the two silver beads in my hand. Looking up, I saw the smile on Lily's lips. Ethan turned and roared at me, "Ava, have you made enough trouble?!" He pinned all the blame on me. He saw through everything, except Lily's disguise. Maybe realizing he went too far. Ethan looked helplessly at the beads on the floor. He touched my head. "So-sorry, I... I drank too much." "Tomorrow, I'll buy you a new one, okay?" Lily was vomiting, clutching her chest. Ethan picked her up and ran out. "Tomorrow at noon, I'll go with you to buy a new one, okay?" He ran fast, wind blowing past my ears. I looked at the scattered silver beads and laughed, supporting myself against the wall. What's the difference between Ethan and me, and these silver beads? A seemingly complete family, in the end, scattered like sand. I don't want the necklace anymore. I don't want Ethan anymore either. I can't guarantee I'll forget you completely. But Ethan, I guarantee you'll never find me again. "Airline? I want the earliest ticket to the South." 4 After hanging up, I went back. The earliest flight was in three days. Back home, I packed everything. Whatever I could take, I took. Whatever I couldn't, I burned. Our photo albums were in the bedside drawer. But one was on Ethan's desk. He hadn't been back in a long time; the desk was dusty. But this album was unusually clean. He must look through it when he's bored, right? I took it to burn with the rest. But I found, scattered inside, photos of him and Lily. The first time Lily visited, she praised our photos. Unexpectedly, they went too. I closed the album and put it back. The wall clock chimed. 5 PM. Ethan broke his promise again. Ding. Julian sent a voice message. "I had the marriage agreement mailed to you. Just sign it." I composed my expression. Turning around, I found Ethan right behind me. "Who are you chatting with so happily?" I shook my head. Ethan was sweating profusely, soaked through. "Move." I pushed him to leave. But a complete necklace appeared before my eyes. It was Mom's necklace. I held it in my hand, looking up at him. "You, you found them?" Ethan scratched his head. "Took forever." He rubbed his eyes. "Almost went blind finding them." "So you weren't back by noon because you were picking up my mom's necklace?" "What else?" He hugged me gently. "You don't know how tired I am. Squatting all day, my back is killing me." "But still missing two beads. Wife, you won't blame me for being late, right?" Holding my mom's necklace, my vision blurred. Big tears fell into my palm. I mumbled indistinctly, "Ethan, thank you..." "What are you saying? You're my fiancée." I excitedly went into the room. I knew where the missing two beads were. Rummaging through my bag, I found the three beads from yesterday. I smiled excitedly, but realized the color of the silver beads in my hand was completely different from the ones in my bag! The one in my hand also had oxidation marks, but it was different from Mom's... I squatted on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Ethan, how long are you going to lie to me? What do you take me for? A sound came from the door. "Delivery for Miss Ava Rhodes, please sign." Soon, Ethan came in. Holding a document envelope. Opening it as he walked. "Why a document delivery? What is it?" My phone kept popping up messages. [Julian: Did you get the marriage agreement?] I looked up sharply, meeting Ethan's gaze.
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