"I've reserved a table at a restaurant for tonight. Let's meet and talk, okay?"
She sounded anxious.
"Alright," I agreed.
Some things needed to be cleared up so people wouldn't think I was being petty or unreasonable.
In the evening, I arrived at the restaurant.
Before I entered the private room, I overheard Ethan's mother complaining.
"Ethan, it must be hard for you.
"Honestly, you spoil Emma too much. That's why she feels so entitled. Lily said she's run away from home several times already?"
I paused, then smirked coldly.
Like mother, like son.
"So now I'm the spoiled one? Just because I'm standing up for myself, I'm in the wrong? I'm supposed to be treated unfairly by Ethan?" I thought bitterly.
That was just absurd.
"Emma is just overly sensitive." Lily's voice cut in.
"You two have been friends forever. If Lily hadn't spent those two years abroad, you'd have been together a long time ago. Emma wouldn't even be in the picture," Ethan's mother added.
A cold shiver ran through me.
So the rumors were true!
I'd heard whispers about this before from Ethan's middle school friends. They hinted at something, but Ethan quickly changed the subject, telling them not to spread gossip.
I thought it was just idle chatter, but it turned out I was merely a placeholder in his life.
No wonder Ethan didn't even try to defend me.
Even when I was on the brink of walking away, I was still at fault.
It was clear now. His heart was always with Lily.
"Miss.
"Could you please move over?"
The waiter's voice broke my train of thought.
I took a deep breath and followed him into the private room.
The seating arrangement was clear. They were huddled together like a perfect little family while I was the unwelcome guest.
"Ah, Emma, you're here! Come on in."
Ethan's mother greeted me, but there was a hint of unease in her smile.
"How's your leg? Feeling better?"
Ethan looked up at me.
Before I could respond, Lily jumped in. "Emma must be recovering so quickly. Unlike me, with my psychological issues and frequent colds."
"It's fine. We'll make sure you're well taken care of," Ethan said, holding her hand in a way that was far too affectionate, ignoring me completely.
Did he think my presence here meant everything was back to normal?
Or was he deliberately flaunting this to make me submit?
Either way, I wasn't backing down.
I wasn't the same person who would feel jealous or angry. Now, I just felt a wave of disgust.