At Carter's birthday party, he and his childhood best friend were the last to arrive. He protected her carefully, not letting her drink a single drop of alcohol. Meanwhile, as his girlfriend, I was forced to drink glass after glass right in front of him. A friend teased him, asking: "Doesn't your heart ache for her?" Carter focused entirely on blowing on his best friend's hot water to cool it down, not even bothering to lift his eyes. "She dared to lay a hand on Chloe. Let her learn a lesson." When the party ended, it started to rain. Carter didn't even pause his steps; he just took Chloe's hand and left. I stood alone in the rain, thinking for a long time. I thought, Carter. Let's just end it here. 1 My three-year relationship with Carter was probably coming to an end. A few days ago, I slapped his childhood best friend, Chloe. Carter got angry and hadn't spoken to me in days. Today was his birthday, and I originally wanted to make up with him. But I didn't expect him to show up with Chloe. Throughout the entire birthday party, Carter didn't look at me once. Instead, his friends all crowded around me, constantly toasting me and forcing me to drink. In my drunken haze, I saw Carter pick up a cup of scalding hot water and blow on it for a long time. Chloe smiled, took it from him, and sipped it slowly. Perhaps I drank too much; the scene before me gradually became watery and blurred, and my stomach started to churn uncomfortably. Carter casually swept his gaze over the lively scene in front of him, his expression calm. A friend teased him. "Doesn't your heart ache?" He quickly looked away, smiling carelessly. "I spoiled her too much." "She dared to lay a hand on Chloe. Let her learn a lesson." Someone, drunk and losing their filter, became a bit reckless. "Carter, if you don't want her anymore, let your brothers know. Avery is pretty good-looking, I wonder how she tastes—" Before he could finish, a hand clamped over his mouth, and he was dragged out. Carter still had a faint smile on his lips, but anyone who knew him well knew he was furious. Carter was never a generous man. What belonged to him, even if he didn't want it anymore, no one else was allowed to touch. Besides, Avery still suited his tastes quite well. By the time the party ended, it was already 1 AM. It was raining outside. Walking behind them, I saw Carter and Chloe leave together. He considerately opened the car door for her, and the car slowly drove away. Gradually, I was the only one left. I let go of my umbrella, and the rain began to beat against my face. Waves of pain washed over my stomach. I crouched in the heavy rain and cried out loud. It hurt so much. I figured I must have drunk way too much. That's why it hurt so badly. I don't know how much time passed, but the rain stopped hitting me. A man stood over me, holding an umbrella, his eyes entirely devoid of pity. He asked me: "Will you dare to do it again?" I stayed silent, and Carter's eyes grew colder. After a long while, he seemed to sigh, reaching out to scoop me up in his arms. He gave in first. 2 I slept for three whole days. When I woke up, Carter wasn't there. Our housekeeper was with me in the hospital room. "Ms. Avery, you're finally awake! Mr. Carter was worried sick." My reaction time was slow. It took me a while to ask: "Where is Carter?" The housekeeper unconsciously rubbed her nose, smiling without saying a word. Whenever she made that expression, it had something to do with Chloe. If it were the past, I would have called Carter non-stop, demanding he come back. But this time, I did nothing. There was still a dull ache in my stomach. With the doctor's permission, the housekeeper fed me some plain congee. Just as I was about to lie back down and rest, the housekeeper finally couldn't hold it in anymore. She asked tentatively: "Ms. Avery, aren't you going to tell Mr. Carter you're awake?" I shook my head. "No need." Without saying another word, I closed my eyes. Memories flashed quickly through my mind. Right after graduating from college, I became Carter's secretary. In front of others, he was the intimidating, unapproachable CEO of the Sterling Group. Behind closed doors, he was the gentle, considerate boyfriend who spoiled me endlessly. I was very content with my life, until Carter's childhood best friend, Chloe, appeared. His attention was no longer solely focused on me. When we ate out together, Carter could carelessly forget I was in the restroom. Only after dropping Chloe off at home did he realize someone was missing. Then he would just tell me to take a taxi back. He’d brush it off with a light "I wasn't paying attention." After this happened a few times, I couldn't find excuses for him anymore. I sensed the crisis in our relationship and explicitly asked Carter what he wanted. If he wanted to be with Chloe, I would bow out and give them my blessing. I don't allow a third person in my relationships. Carter fondly tapped my nose, laughing heartily. "You little jealous thing. Chloe is just like a little sister to me." Back then, I believed him. But why did Chloe, whom he saw as a sister... Act exactly like all those other women trying to sink their claws into him whenever she was in front of me? So, that day, when I saw Chloe curled up in his arms, letting him rub her stomach... I couldn't hold back and slapped her. And Carter? He chose to protect his childhood best friend. From that day on, cracks slowly began to form in my heart. Carter must have been called back by the housekeeper. Through the ajar door, I heard an argument. "Didn't the doctor say she wouldn't wake up until tonight? Why is she awake so early?" A sweet female voice chimed in at just the right moment. "Carter, don't be mad. I'm sure Ms. Avery won't mind." The man rubbed his temples, seemingly exhausted, but his tone carried a hint of indulgence. "You don't understand. She has a terrible temper. Who knows how she'll throw a fit at me this time." Chloe's sweet smile froze, but she quickly recovered her natural expression. 3 I cleared my throat after being woken up by their voices, and Carter quickly walked in. He crouched by the bed, gently stroking my forehead, asking with heartache: "Baby, are you still feeling unwell anywhere?" In front of outsiders, Carter never called me that. I knew this was his way of apologizing. Chloe's face paled further, a flash of blatant jealousy in her eyes. I turned my head away, avoiding his burning gaze. "I want to be discharged." Even though the doctor advised me to stay a few more days, Carter followed my wishes and handled the discharge paperwork. He had our family doctor on standby 24/7. After everything was settled, I didn't say more than a few words to Carter. He stayed silent in the room before finally softening his stance. "I'm sorry. I crossed the line this time. I promise it won't happen again." But it was too late, Carter. On that rainy night, I had already made up my mind. "Carter, let's just end it." The man's eyes darkened, and he suddenly laughed. "Avery, this is the first time you've threatened me with a breakup. Are you really that angry?" The smile on his lips faded, and his next words were soft, yet cutting. "I can coax you once or twice, but if you keep throwing these little tantrums, my patience will run out." I knew the high and mighty Carter Sterling rarely humbled himself to coax anyone. He gave me an out, and I should have taken it. But I didn't want to anymore. I still remembered how dark that night was, how cold the rain felt. So cold that the affection I had for him slowly froze into ice. I didn't want to spend every day chasing his shadow anymore. I didn't want to constantly guess the true nature of his relationship with Chloe anymore. I told myself. Carter, let's just end it here. Without waiting for my answer, Carter left without a word. 4 After resting for a few days, I went to the office. All the way there, everyone was secretly staring at me. When I arrived, I found out that Chloe had also become Carter's secretary. My desk was covered with her things. Seeing me return, Chloe didn't get up. She lazily propped her head on her hand and shot me a provocative look. "While you were away, Carter asked me to help take care of him. You aren't going to get jealous again, are you, Ms. Avery?" "Does Ms. Avery not have any childhood friends? Carter just bought me some pads and brought me a hot water bottle for my cramps. We used to do that kind of stuff all the time." Yes, they did far more than just that. But this time, I wouldn't let her few words rile me up. After going through this so many times, I already knew. Carter, just like her, didn't see anything wrong with what she described. He said Chloe was just like his little sister. Their bond, forged since childhood, had long surpassed mere romantic feelings. Carter warned me not to tarnish their precious bond with my filthy thoughts. So, from now on, they could do whatever they wanted. I wouldn't care anymore. I returned her smile. "It's fine. You can do all those things freely from now on." "Ms. Chloe comes from a good family, so naturally you know more than I do. Besides, an outsider like me has no place meddling in the bond between childhood friends." When I turned around, I saw Carter standing in the doorway. Who knows how long he had been listening. His expression was dark. He just stared straight at me without saying a word. Chloe immediately jumped up and threw herself at him, gently shaking his arm and whining: "Carter, assign me a new desk. Ms. Avery looks a little angry." "Can I just work inside your office? It's so boring out here all by myself." Carter's gaze finally shifted from me, his voice gentle. "Stop acting up. I'll get it sorted out in a bit."
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