Chapter 3
She mimicked Lila’s trembling, whiny voice and rolled her eyes.
I was about to laugh at her tone when—Ethan appeared right behind Sarah. Our eyes met immediately.
His expression was dark. He’d clearly heard everything Sarah said.
“Lila was just filling in. You don’t have to make unfair assumptions about her. about someone six or seven years younger than you p>
Sarah’s stared him down, ignoring his sharp tone completely.
“Ethan, have you forgotten how you pursued Chloe in the first place? Have you lost your mind? Over a student p>
I reached out and stopped Sarah before she could continue.
“It’s homecoming. Let’s not talk about this p>
She shot me a glare, but finally sighed.
Ethan’s expression softened slightly, apparently pleased that I’d stepped in.
He put an arm around my shoulders and said pointedly, “You’re pregnant. Don’t listen to useless gossip p>
Just then, a burst of laughter erupted from the other end of the ballroom.
I looked over. A group of art students.
Lila stood in the middle, holding a piece of cake. A boy had a dollop of cream on his finger and was reaching to smear it on her face.
She laughed and dodged, pleading desperately.
“Please, stop—don’t tease me p>
But the boy grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer.
I felt Ethan’s breath catch.
His chest rose and fell quickly, and he strode toward them.
Sarah nudged my arm, frustration sharp in her voice.
“Chloe, he’s going to play the hero. Aren’t you going to do anything p>
I took a slow sip of my orange juice and smiled faintly.
“That’s not exactly playing the hero p>
I paused, then added, under Sarah’s furious stare, “He’s just jealous p>
Not far away, Ethan grabbed the boy’s wrist. The cream accidentally smeared onto Lila’s dress.
She gasped and looked down at the stain.
Ethan pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.
Lila held her skirt, looking lost and helpless, as if she didn’t know what to do.
He hesitated… then bent down and wiped the cream off her dress for her.
I set down my juice glass and watched silently.
Sarah squeezed my hand.
“Chloe p>
“It’s fine. I’m just going to the restroom p>
I turned on the faucet and slowly washed the juice off my hands.
The door opened. Lila walked in.
She froze when she saw me, then smiled sweetly.
“Chloe, you’re all by yourself? Professor Montgomery was just looking for you p>
I looked at her in the mirror.
“Is that so p>
She pressed her lips together and slipped her lipstick back into her small bag.
“He’s so kind. When my dress got dirty earlier, he even wiped it off for me. Please don’t misunderstand, Chloe. Professor Montgomery just looks out for me because I’m younger p>
I turned off the faucet and glanced at the woman glancing at herself in the mirror.
“Lila p>
“Hm p>
“You’re twenty-four, right p>
I turned to face her.
“When I was twenty-four, I already had my master’s degree, opened my own studio, and earned my first real income p>
Her smile faltered.
“What’s that supposed to mean? You just came from a privileged family.. What’s there to brag about p>
“If I’d grown up in your family, I wouldn’t be any worse than you p>
She seemed to regain some confidence, lifting her chin.
“Besides… because I don’t have your kind of background, Professor Montgomery pities me more. Isn’t that right p>
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