He was a cold person.
He was indifferent to everyone, even when he was in a relationship.
She had always believed this for many years.
Because Ethan really appeared distant and aloof to any woman.
But now, she saw with her own eyes Ethan looking at Clara with affection.
Yes, affection.
Although it might have been just a fleeting moment of affection, she had been watching Ethan closely, so she saw it clearly.
Nora felt a heavy stone blocking her heart, making it hard for her to breathe.
She couldn’t accept it.
She couldn’t accept that Ethan had fallen for another woman.
This realization made her eyes sting.
She wanted to cry.
Nora suddenly grabbed a bottle of beer and started drinking directly from it.
Gulp, gulp…
The beer went down her throat.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Everyone was stunned by Nora’s sudden boldness.
Nora had always been a reserved and elegant lady.
To suddenly act like a reckless drinker… it was too unusual.
After a moment of shock, everyone turned to look at Ethan.
Everyone in their circle knew about Ethan and Nora’s past relationship.
In their generation, Ethan was the most outstanding man, and Nora was the most outstanding woman.
When they dated back then, everyone thought they were a perfect match made in heaven.
Even though they were young at the time, both of them had a maturity beyond their years. People believed that Nora and Ethan must have thought it through and that the prince and princess would live happily ever after.
But unexpectedly, they broke up after graduating high school.
There had been no signs of reconciliation over the years.
Now, Nora was still single.
But Ethan was already married.
They could understand Nora. Seeing her first love being affectionate with his wife would naturally be upsetting for her.
Despite being watched by so many people, Ethan remained calm and unmoved, holding Clara steadily.
Clara, who was drunk and drowsy, leaned quietly in Ethan’s arms with half-closed eyes, completely unaware of what was happening.
Everyone felt even more sympathy for Nora.
“Why aren’t we playing games anymore?” Nora asked with a smile after putting down the beer bottle.
The dim lighting in the room hid the tear stains at the corners of her eyes.
“Come on, let’s play…”
“Yeah, let’s play.”
Everyone started playing games again.
Why think so much?
They couldn’t interfere in other people’s relationship issues anyway.
Their game was simple.
It involved drawing cards.
Whoever drew the joker would be the target of Truth or Dare.
And whoever drew the ace of spades would be the questioner.
There were many ways to play Truth or Dare.
They chose the simplest one.
Everyone participated except Ethan and Clara.
With a dozen cards, they began the first round of drawing.
Although Clara was quite drunk, she was still somewhat aware of what was happening. Leaning against Ethan’s chest, she watched them play with a smile, finding it amusing.
Many people got caught in the game.
Some chose truth, others chose dare.
They were all friends, so they didn’t go too far with the dares but made various strange requests, creating a lively and warm atmosphere.
A new round began.
This time, Nora drew the joker.
And a girl drew the ace of spades.
The girl looked at Nora with a smile and asked, “Do you choose truth or dare?”
Nora smiled and said, “Truth.”
The girl glanced at Ethan and suddenly asked, “Do you still love Ethan?”
Everyone else: “…”
This question… might not be appropriate?
After all, not only was Ethan here, but his newlywed wife was also present.
Benjamin frowned at the girl, clearly displeased.
But technically, the question wasn’t against the rules.
Nora looked at Ethan and without hesitation said, “Yes.”
“Oh…”
“Wow… cool.”
Various sounds of teasing and whistling filled the room.
Ethan’s expression remained indifferent as always. He wasn’t happy or surprised… just as cold as ever. Hearing Nora say she still loved him elicited no reaction from him at all.
It was as if Nora’s love wasn’t directed at him but at someone completely unrelated to him.
Seeing Ethan’s indifferent reaction made everyone feel awkward, and they stopped their teasing one by one.
Clara blinked her eyes.
She looked at everyone… She seemed to have heard Ethan’s name just now but didn’t know what they were talking about regarding Ethan.
Her consciousness was slowly being eroded by alcohol.
Nora looked at Ethan… His lack of reaction made her feel even more miserable and bitter inside.
Now… to him, was she really just an irrelevant stranger?
Even if she confessed her love for him in front of so many people, he still wouldn’t react?
After all, she was his first love.
They say first love is the most beautiful and unforgettable.
Why did he forget her so easily?
Nora could no longer control her emotions. She stood up and said, “I need to go to the bathroom.”
Her voice carried a hint of choking up.
After saying that, she turned and ran out of the room.
There were bathrooms in the private room as well. Why run outside?
She was heartbroken and didn’t want to stay there any longer.
“Nora…” Benjamin chased after her.
June lowered her eyes.
Instantly, the room fell silent. No one spoke up anymore.
It seemed like something had happened.
It seemed like someone had run out.
What was going on?
Ethan looked down at Clara’s silly face and said to everyone, “Clara is drunk. We’re leaving now.”
Everyone: “… Mr. Logan, goodbye.”
What else could they say besides goodbye?
Should they try to keep them?
What would be the point of keeping them?
—
Ethan held Clara as they left.
When they reached the club entrance, they saw Benjamin and Nora under a big tree by the roadside, pulling at each other and talking about something.
The two also saw Ethan and stopped pulling at each other to watch Ethan and Clara leave together in a waiting taxi outside the club…
“You saw it,” Benjamin said to Nora. “To him now, you’re just a stranger… Why do you still hold on to him?”
Nora cried and said, “I just can’t let go.”
Benjamin felt a heavy weight in his heart.
“Do you really have to be like this?” Benjamin asked bitterly.
Nora nodded while crying. “Yes, I have to be like this… You don’t understand how much I love Ethan. I have to… If I don’t love him, I’ll die.”
After saying that, Nora ran off crying again.
This time… Benjamin didn’t chase after her again.
What would be the point of chasing after her?
He had already said everything he needed to say to Nora over the years. He had expressed his feelings for her and tried to persuade her to give up on loving Ethan… but it had all been in vain for so many years now.
Benjamin looked up at the pitch-black night sky.
He felt exhausted.
Loving someone who doesn’t love you back is truly exhausting.
Ethan took Clara home.
Clara was even more drunk than before… The alcohol had taken full effect now.
She leaned softly against Ethan’s chest. Even with his support, she stumbled as she walked inside their home.
Ethan held Clara as they entered the house.
Clara’s hands clung tightly to Ethan’s clothes.
“Let go… We’re home,” Ethan said.
Clara heard someone speaking and looked up with half-closed eyes, drunkenly gazing at Ethan.
Her alcohol tolerance was indeed poor. She should avoid drinking in the future. Otherwise, getting drunk so easily could be dangerous for a girl out there alone…
Clara stared at Ethan for a while before finally recognizing him as her husband.
“Ethan…” she spoke with slurred words that reeked of alcohol breath towards him immediately upon opening her mouth
Ethan frowned.
That smell… It wasn’t pleasant at all.
No matter how cute or fragrant he found Clara otherwise; this smell wasn’t something he could appreciate.
“Go freshen up,” Ethan said with an expression full of disdain.
Clara widened her eyes in surprise looking at him pouting pitifully saying: “… I’m too drunk; how can I freshen up… You help me…”