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00:30Aria, you don't get it. I'm never the one who gets to celebrate his birthday. This time,
00:35I just want to fly there and celebrate it with him myself. Seeing how determined she was,
00:39I finally swallowed the words of warning. At that moment, my fiancé Liam's voice came through the
00:43phone. She's flying halfway across the world just to celebrate some guy's birthday? Has she
00:50completely lost her mind? Forget about her. Let her waste her time. Talking to someone who's
00:55lovesick is pointless. But the night after I saw Mia off at the airport, Mia uploaded a new photo.
01:00There was only a man's back in the picture and the caption with, happy birthday. I stared at the
01:04photo, then froze. The distinctive scar on the man's neck was the same as Liam's. Even the ring
01:08on his hand matched the engagement ring on mine. It was only then that I realized the truth. Mia's
01:13mysterious online boyfriend and my fiancé were the same man. And my sister was celebrating my
01:17fiancé's birthday with her lingerie right now. I stared at that photo for a full hour. After
01:21checking it over and over again, I was certain it was Liam. And today was his birthday too. A few
01:26days ago, I had asked if he wanted me to fly to Europe to celebrate with him. His reply had
01:29been
01:30casual. It's just a birthday. You don't need to fly all this way. So it wasn't that there was no
01:34need to celebrate. Someone else had already celebrated it with him. And that someone was my
01:38own sister. I took a screenshot of the photo and sent it directly to Liam. I needed an explanation
01:42from him himself. And three hours later, my phone finally lit up. But instead of Liam, it was a direct
01:47message from Mia. Got to him. Best birthday ever with my man. She sent me another photo. Half the
01:54cake had already been cut and the man's right hand had accidentally made it into the frame. The ring
01:58on his ring finger glittered under the camera flash. A year ago, Liam had been recruited by a top formula
02:02racing team. Before he left, he proposed to me in the sea breeze of Monaco. When I win this year's
02:07world championship, we'll get married. But as I stared at the diamond flashing on my screen, I suddenly
02:12realized there was no point in waiting anymore. That wedding was probably never going to happen.
02:18I stared at my chat with Mia. My fingers hovered over the screen. But I didn't know what to type.
02:23What was I supposed to say? Ask her why she was going after her own sister's fiance? Growing up,
02:28I always knew Mia was chasing someone she could never have. But I never knew who that person was.
02:32Over the past year, she'd flown to Europe two or three times every month. She always said it was
02:36her chance to break into formula racing. But whenever I brought it up with Liam, he'd just scoff.
02:40Flying all the way to Europe just to chase racers? She's unbelievably stupid.
02:44He'd never had any patience for Mia. If anything, he looked down on her. That's exactly why I never
02:49connected the dot. I never imagined that every trip Mia took ended at Liam's apartment. And I
02:53definitely never imagined that they'd be sharing the same bed. Buzz. My phone lit up again.
02:57What the hell is this? A message from Liam. He denied that the man in the photo was him.
03:01The guy in Mia's post. Isn't that you? The seconds dragged by. Just when I thought he was going to
03:06ignore me. Liam was calling. Chloe, when I get back to California, I'll explain everything to you in
03:11person. That was as good as an admission. My eyes slowly drifted to the calendar. One date had been
03:16circled in thick red marker. Next Tuesday was the day Liam would finish his overseas testing and fly
03:21home. Just three days away. He let out a tired sigh on the other end of the line.
03:26Please, don't confront her, okay? His voice was filled with nothing but protectiveness. My eyes burned
03:31and my throat felt painfully dry. Why? Are you protecting her?
03:37Chloe, let's talk when I get back. The moment he finished speaking, Mia's voice came through the
03:42phone. Liam, who are you talking to? Liam didn't hesitate for even a second. His voice turned so
03:48gentle it felt completely unfamiliar. No one. Just an unimportant friend. I froze at that absurd reply.
03:54Five years of love and devotion reduced to just an unimportant friend. Less than two minutes after the
03:59call ended, a new message from Liam popped up. Mia got pretty upset after she saw you calling.
04:03She doesn't want me bringing you up in front of her anymore. It makes her feel guilty. I stared at
04:07the screen, completely drained. Guilty? She actually felt that? If she really knew what guilt was,
04:12why did she climb into her own sister's fiancé's bed? I didn't reply. Until that night, I saw Mia post
04:18another photo on Instagram. Two hands tightly intertwined with no caption or explanation, but I
04:23recognized them instantly. The titanium ring Liam used to wear with me was gone. In its place was a brand
04:27new,
04:28plain band, and on Mia's ring finger was a diamond ring in the same style. The comments exploded almost
04:33immediately. What? Since when did you guys tie the knot? Mia replied almost instantly, like she couldn't
04:37wait to claim him. Not married yet? He proposed. Yesterday was his birthday, and he surprised me. I
04:43stared at the photo for a long time. If Liam had already slipped a promise ring onto another woman's
04:47finger on a day meant so much to us, then what was I? A fiancé in name only? I looked
04:51down at the
04:52engagement ring on my own hand. Then I pulled it off without a second glance, dropping it straight into
04:56the trash. Go to hell, asshole. I didn't confront Mia either. I simply tapped the screen
05:01and liked her post. Five minutes later, Liam's call came flooding in. Chloe, don't get the wrong
05:09idea. She was just joking. She wanted to see what it felt like to be proposed to. It wasn't a
05:13real
05:14proposal. Please don't take it to heart. Looking at his weak excuses, I let out a laugh. When did you
05:19two start sleeping together? Seven months ago. Seven months ago. That was Liam's fifth month
05:27training in Europe. No wonder Mia had been flying to Europe so often back then. So she'd been flying
05:32to sleep with Liam. At first, I turned her down. But then... He swallowed the rest of the sentence.
05:37Chloe, just give us one more month. I'm begging you. Give her some time to adjust, okay? No way.
05:44Liam, if she's so miserable, then you two should just be together. We're done.
05:48I hung up the phone and blocked all of Liam and Mia's contact information. After the initial
05:53stab of pain, all that was left in my heart was clarity. I woke up my laptop.
05:58I'm resigning. After seeing the Operation Successful notification appear on the screen,
06:02a cold smile tugged at my lips. Liam, since you think she needs looking after more,
06:06then don't expect me to keep looking after you and the team. I closed my laptop and dialed my
06:10father's number. Chloe? Dad, I've made up my mind. I'm getting married. There was a brief silence.
06:16That's wonderful. Has Liam finally come to his senses?
06:19No, I'm not marrying Liam. He paused.
06:22Not Liam? Then who?
06:24The man you introduced before, Ethan. The major shareholder of Titan Racing and their star driver.
06:30I'm willing to go through with this family arrangement.
06:33My father burst out in disbelief and excitement.
06:35You've finally come to your senses. That's great. I've never liked Liam anyway.
06:39Don't worry. The moment you agree to this marriage, Titan and the family will put every
06:44resource behind you.
06:45My gaze drifted to the line of code on screen as I listened to the excitement in his voice.
06:49My father had never approved of Liam. Titan Racing had far better engineering resources
06:53than Liam's Vortex Racing. From a career standpoint, Titan had always been the obvious choice. But
06:58to protect Liam's fragile pride and keep him from overthinking, I had turned down Titan's
07:02offers again and again. Instead, I chose to stay at Vortex, quietly working behind the
07:06scenes for Liam. My father had always hated that Liam kept delaying our wedding while holding back
07:10my career, so he could barely contain his excitement when I'd finally changed my mind.
07:14But I have a few conditions that you need to pass on.
07:17Name them. They'll agree to a hundred conditions if they have to.
07:19First, I want the wedding as soon as possible, preferably this week. Second,
07:23I want my transfer to Titan Racing processed immediately.
07:26Ethan moved faster than I expected. That very night, I completed the transfer to Titan and moved
07:30into their apartment. It was a luxury apartment with a modern industrial design. Every detail inside
07:35the living room had been arranged exactly the way I liked. It was obvious the place had been
07:39carefully prepared by someone. As I walked in, a gold embossed card caught my eye on the marble
07:44countertop. It was written in elegant handwriting. Sorry, a last minute meeting came up, so I couldn't
07:48come pick you up in person. But don't worry, I'll pick you up to get our marriage license. Ethan.
07:53Not bad handwriting. I set the card back down. There wasn't the slightest hint of excitement or
07:58shyness in my eyes. At this point, marriage meant nothing to me. What mattered was that Ethan was the star
08:03driver of Titan, the rival team Liam had spent years failing to surpass. I would use this marriage
08:07to destroy everything Liam had built. I was organizing some files by the window the next day
08:12when the doorbell suddenly rang. I glanced at the time. At this hour, it was probably Ethan. He
08:16promised to take me to get our marriage license. I walked to the door and pulled it open without
08:20thinking. But standing outside was Liam. Liam stood outside the door with anger.
08:27Chloe! What the hell are you doing? You locked all the team's server data. Do you know the
08:34season opener is next week? I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, coldly watching
08:39him panic. Breaking up. Oh, and by the way, I resigned from the team. I took my own research
08:43data with me. Is there a problem? Liam froze instantly. His face turned pale in a second.
08:47You're serious? You really want to break up with me? I let out a cold laugh.
08:51What else? Did you think I was playing around? From now on, you and her don't have to sneak
08:55around anymore. You can finally replace that ring with a matching couple's ring
08:58with her. Chloe, stop being ridiculous. Liam's expression darkened. Mia never wanted to take
09:05anything away from you. You don't have to make this such a big deal. I told you, once this
09:08period passes, everything will be fine. I laugh. Fine? Fine how? After you two are done, I'm
09:14supposed to act like an idiot, still marry you? Liam, I can't do that. I can't accept my fiancee
09:19cheating on me with my own sister. And I can't understand this ridiculous love story between
09:23you two either. Then what do you want me to do? Mia is already suffering enough. Chloe,
09:28can't you show her a little compassion? No, I can't. For six years, you two made a fool
09:34out of me through a marriage that never will come. Tell me, how exactly am I supposed to
09:37show compassion? I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Now leave my apartment. Liam froze
09:43for a moment. He looked around the apartment, his brows tightening. Your apartment? Isn't this
09:47the Titan's apartment? I looked at him coldly. Yeah. As you can see,
09:52I've already joined Titan. Liam's face instantly darkened. Furious, he reached out
09:56and grabbed my wrist.
10:00What? Do you even know what you're doing? Come back to Vortex right now, unlock the
10:06server data, and come home with me. Just as his hand closed around my wrist, Mia
10:10appeared at the door with red-rimmed eyes. Sister, don't blame Liam. It's all my fault. If you
10:16have to blame someone, blame me. Mia, why are you up here? Didn't I tell you to wait
10:22in the car? Mia shook her head as tears streamed down her face. How could I just sit in the
10:26car and do nothing? Chloe, I'm sorry. I really am, but things have already become like this.
10:31There's nothing I can do. She gently placed a hand over her stomach. I'm pregnant. What?
10:37Pregnant? Liam and I, we couldn't control ourselves. That night at the hotel, we got carried
10:43away and forgot to use protection. She sobbed softly, but beneath her tears, a hidden trace
10:47of provocation flashed in her eyes as she smiled at me. I know I shouldn't have gotten pregnant,
10:52but this is still a life. Got carried away and forgot protection? Are you seriously saying
10:58that with a straight face? You became the other woman and still act like you're the victim?
11:02How shameless can you be? Enough, Chloe. Stop being so aggressive. We can actually raise this
11:08child together. The three of us. I was stunned by the disgusting values of these two people
11:12standing in front of me. Are you both insane? Get out!
11:16With a loud bang, I slammed the door shut.
11:20The door slammed shut behind me, but Liam's furious shouting still came through the door.
11:24Chloe, can you stop acting like a crazy woman? Mia is carrying my child. She's pregnant now,
11:28so watch your mouth. Stop being so full of yourself. Without you, Vortex can still win the
11:32new season. You're seriously disgusting. Hearing those shameless words from the other side
11:36of the door, my chest rose and fell violently. Enough. They really thought I was a soft target
11:40they could hurt over and over again. I turned around and stormed into the kitchen. I grabbed
11:44the large ice bucket I usually use for making tea. I filled it with ice water. Holding the rage
11:49burning inside me, I walked back toward the entrance. This time, I was going to pour the
11:52entire bucket over those two disgusting faces, but the moment I reached the door, the yelling
11:57outside suddenly stopped. Apparently, they finally had enough sense to leave, but just as I was about
12:01to put the bucket down, the doorbell rang again without warning. Are you two done yet?
12:05My anger exploded. I yanked open the door and lifted the ice bucket, throwing the freezing
12:09water straight at the person standing outside. Splash! The icy water exploded through the air.
12:14The person outside was drenched from head to toe. I struggled to put the bucket down, but
12:18when I looked up and saw who it was, I froze. Standing outside wasn't Liam. It was Ethan,
12:22my real fiancé. And the large bouquet of roses in his hand was now covered in embarrassing water
12:27stains. Looking at drenched Ethan standing in front of me, I froze completely. Water streamed down
12:32his sculpted features and soaked his black hair. He kept his eyes closed, letting the ice water drip
12:37down the bridge of his nose. Then, slowly, he opened his eyes. God, I had to admit, I had never
12:41noticed before that beneath his racing helmet was a face this handsome. And somehow, getting drenched
12:46only made him even more dangerously attractive. Ethan ran his long fingers through his wet face,
12:50wiping away the water.
12:52So this is the welcome gift from Titan's new boss's wife?
12:55I quickly moved the bucket aside and hurried to explain.
12:57Sorry, I didn't mean to. I thought Vortex's bastards came here to annoy me again, so I...
13:02Ethan raised an eyebrow slightly. He looked down at his completely soaked clothes and let
13:06out a low laugh.
13:07It's fine. But it seems that we won't get our marriage license today.
13:12I froze. Without thinking, I blurted out...
13:15Why?
13:15A strange thought flashed through my mind. Did he actually get angry? Was he regretting this
13:19arranged marriage? Ethan lifted his well-defined fingers and pointed at himself.
13:23Look...
13:23The expensive handmade shirt was completely stuck to his muscular chest.
13:26Uh, I think I have a brand new men's t-shirt here.
13:28Ethan's gaze fell on my flushed ears. The amusement in his eyes deepened.
13:32The shirt isn't really the problem.
13:34Following the direction of his hand, I looked down. Only then did I realize his suit pants
13:37were soaked as well. The wet fabric revealed impressive size and an obvious outline.
13:41The atmosphere instantly became awkward and strangely intimate. My face burned.
13:45Looks like I can only go back to the team and change first.
13:50I'll come pick you up tomorrow.
13:51I watched him turn away with that huge bouquet of roses in his arms, looking completely miserable.
13:55He walked away with that giant rose bouquet. Seeing how miserable he looked, my heart softened.
14:00Wait!
14:02Why don't you come in and take a shower before you leave? At least change your shirt first.
14:07You don't want to catch a cold.
14:08Ethan stopped in his tracks and turned around, raising an eyebrow.
14:11Are you sure?
14:13Yeah. Come in. I can't exactly let you go back to the team with your hair dripping wet.
14:17People might think their boss was mistreated at my place.
14:19A playful smile tugged at the corner of Ethan's lips.
14:21All right.
14:22He walked into the entryway and placed the bouquet on the shoe cabinet.
14:25As he took off his soap jacket, he called his assistant.
14:28Bring a suit to the penthouse.
14:29I walked to the desktop and started familiarizing Titan's vehicle setup data.
14:33Although I had to start everything from zero, at least I still had the core technology in my hands.
14:37I was completely focused on the data curves on the screen when the bathroom door opened.
14:40I instinctively looked up. The pen in my hand slipped and hit the desk with a click.
14:44Ethan was wearing Liam's training t-shirt.
14:46But on Ethan, it looked like a completely different piece of clothing.
14:49His powerful chest and defined biceps stretched the shirt to its limit.
14:53It looked almost like it might tear at any moment.
14:55And the worst part was he clearly couldn't find suitable pants.
14:57A white towel was the only thing wrapped around his waist.
15:00Water droplets traced down his sculpted abs and V-line before disappearing beneath the edge of the towel.
15:05The sight was almost unfair. My heart skipped a beat without warning.
15:08Noticing my reaction, Ethan leaned against the doorframe.
15:11He slowly ran a towel through his wet black hair.
15:13Done staring, sweetheart?
15:14His narrow eyes were filled with undisguised amusement.
15:17Are you satisfied with your legal husband one hour from now?
15:21The tension in the room had reached an almost unbearable level when the doorbell suddenly rang.
15:25The unexpected sound instantly shattered the intimate atmosphere in the living room.
15:29Looks like my custom suit is here. What a shame.
15:32I thought I could enjoy watching you get flustered a little longer.
15:35I snapped back to reality.
15:36I'll get the door.
15:37I turned away to escape.
15:38When I opened it, Ethan's assistant was standing outside.
15:41This is the suit Mr. Ethan requested.
15:43And this one is the dress he had custom made for you.
15:47I quickly took the bags from him.
15:49A dress?
15:50I turned back to look at Ethan, confused.
15:52Of course we have to make it formal.
15:54We're getting our marriage license after all.
15:56After changing into the dress, I walked out of the room.
15:59Ethan was already waiting for me on the sofa.
16:05Beautiful.
16:06Thank you.
16:07I glanced at the time on my watch.
16:08My brows furrowed slightly as I looked at him with concern.
16:11Are we going to make it?
16:13The courthouse closes in an hour.
16:15Don't forget, I'm a professional racer.
16:18I've never lost a race against time.
16:20He paused, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
16:22Besides, today is a perfect day.
16:25I froze slightly.
16:26My eyes unconsciously moved toward the calendar hanging on the wall.
16:29Valentine's Day.
16:29Before I could say anything, a warm hand gently wrapped around my wrist.
16:33Ethan took my hand, his voice steady and gentle.
16:36Let's go, my bride.
16:37When the officiant solemnly handed us two brand new marriage certificates,
16:41the electronic clock on the wall happened to tick past the final second.
16:44And just like that, Ethan and I became the last couple to get married on Valentine's Day.
16:47I stared at the warm marriage certificate in my hands,
16:50feeling strangely dazed.
16:51Just a few hours ago, I was still trapped in the mess of betrayal and humiliation.
16:55And now, I had become the legal wife of my cheating fiancé's biggest rival.
17:00What are you staring at, Mrs.?
17:04Nothing.
17:05But when the car slowly stopped at a red light, I immediately noticed something was wrong.
17:12Wait, where are we going?
17:14Back to your apartment.
17:15My heart skipped a beat.
17:16I quickly waved my hand.
17:17No, we need to live separately.
17:19We can't live together.
17:21You know, this is just a contract marriage for our families.
17:25Seeing my nervous and defensive expression, Ethan couldn't help but laugh.
17:29Relax.
17:30I'm just dropping you off at your apartment.
17:32I never said I was staying.
17:34Don't scare yourself, okay?
17:35Hearing that, the tension in my chest finally disappeared.
17:38Good.
17:39Of course.
17:40And if you want to be with another woman privately, as long as it doesn't affect our marriage publicly,
17:43I don't care.
17:45Wow, hear that understanding?
17:46Mm-hmm.
17:48But there's one thing we need to agree on beforehand.
17:49If we get divorced, it has to be after this season ends.
17:52Ethan's fingers tightened slightly around the steering wheel.
17:54A trace of amusement flashed through his narrow eyes as he looked at me.
17:58Oh?
17:59Why do you insist on waiting until the end of the season before letting you go?
18:02I look straight ahead.
18:04Because I want Liam to lose.
18:06I'm going to strip him of everything he has.
18:08And what do I get?
18:10You can't expect me to be your shield for free, missy.
18:13I'll help Titan win the championship.
18:14And I'll work as Titan's chief data analyst two years, free of charge.
18:18You're really that sure Titan can defeat Vortex and win the championship this year?
18:21Yes.
18:22Because I'm a professional.
18:24And so are you.
18:25Ethan froze.
18:26Then, slowly, the corner of his lips lifted.
18:29Then the championship title this season?
18:31I'll take it.
18:34Over the next few months, I poured all my energy into Titan's car setups and tactical simulations.
18:38Under my leadership, Titan ran all the way into the championship finals.
18:42The pit lane was filled with chaos.
18:43The roar of engines shook the entire garage.
18:45Liam stopped walking.
18:47His eyes moved through the crowd before finally landing on me.
18:49The moment he saw the Titan chief strategist badge on my chest.
18:52Beside him, Mia instinctively placed a hand over her slightly swollen belly.
18:56Oh honey, that drift into the corner was so perfect.
19:00Honestly, it was even smoother and cleaner than when you left certain people behind.
19:06Her words were clearly a deliberate provocation.
19:08She was using their betrayal from back then as something to brag about.
19:11Liam wrapped an arm around Mia's waist and walked toward me.
19:14Chloe, I never thought that after leaving me you'd actually lower yourself enough to join Titan.
19:18Do you really think switching teams will change anything?
19:20Get on your knees and apologize.
19:22I might consider letting you come back to Vortex.
19:25That's right, sister.
19:26After all, with Liam here, Titan will never win a championship.
19:29Just looking at you two makes me sick.
19:30One is a man who can't control himself and keeps running around cheating.
19:34The other is a shameless woman who plays innocent while stealing someone else's fiance.
19:38Don't you think you two are the ones who should be kneeling and apologizing to me?
19:42Chloe, you're crossing the line.
19:44Do you really think joining Titan makes you impressive?
19:46With that attitude, no man will ever want to marry you.
19:48I slowly raise my right hand.
19:51Oh, is that so?
19:53Then tell me, what exactly is this on my finger?
19:56The massive diamond ring on my finger, it was like a loud slap across Mia's face.
20:00And it was at least 10 times bigger than the one Liam had bought for her.
20:04You're lying. There's no way that's real.
20:06Did you seriously buy a fake diamond just to fake being loved?
20:10You think making a fake stone 10 times bigger can fool anyone?
20:14Seeing Mia shaking with anger, Liam immediately found an opportunity to attack.
20:18Mia is right.
20:19Chloe, who knows if that cheap ring is just another performance you paid for yourself?
20:23Who would marry a woman like you?
20:25You're just a used bitch I dumped.
20:27A large hand suddenly swung out from beside me.
20:29Bang!
20:30Liam was sent flying backward by the unexpected punch.
20:32His body slammed heavily onto the cold floor of the maintenance lane.
20:35Everyone who had been watching froze.
20:37The technicians and team members around us gasped in shock.
20:40Ethan calmly pulled his hand back and slowly adjusted his sleeve.
20:43Then he stepped in front of me naturally, shielding me behind him.
20:45He looked down at Liam coldly.
20:47No one gets to disrespect my wife.
20:50Your wife, what kind of joke are you playing?
21:01I was stunned watching Ethan speak up for me like that.
21:04Liam and I had been together for six years.
21:06Everyone thought I was so happy being with him for so long.
21:09But no one ever saw that the youth I'd sacrificed had buried in a never materialized wedding.
21:14Liam growled, humiliated and enraged.
21:16What goes on between Chloe and me is none of your damn business.
21:20Stop sticking your nose where it doesn't belong.
21:22She is now my legal wife.
21:24My wife's business is my business.
21:27Mia, who had been standing by, finally snapped out of her shock.
21:30Looking at the scene before her, she trembled with rage and shrieked.
21:34Are you crazy, the CEO of Titan actually assaulting someone in public?
21:39Aren't you afraid this will make headlines and send your entire team stock plummeting?
21:43I looked down at the hysterical Mia.
21:45Make the news?
21:45Fine.
21:46Call every single reporter.
21:48Which do you think would make bigger headlines tomorrow and cause more of an uproar across the
21:52entire internet?
21:52Titan CEO furiously defends his wife by beating up Vortex head coach.
21:56Or Vortex player cheats on his fiance of six years with her pregnant sister.
22:00Just wait.
22:01Liam awkwardly got up from the ground with Mia's help.
22:03He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, glaring fiercely at Ethan and me.
22:07I'm going to wipe the floor with you in the finals.
22:10You'll be completely humiliated.
22:14Dream on.
22:15I reached out and gently tugged the sleeve of the man beside me.
22:18Let's go.
22:19Don't waste time on trash like him.
22:21Ethan naturally took my hand, enclosing my cold fingertips in his warm palm,
22:24cold glance, then turned and led me away.
22:26As we walked out of the service bay.
22:28Thank you for defending me just now.
22:31But you didn't really need to resort to violence in public.
22:33What if the media had caught it and made a big deal out of it?
22:36It's only right.
22:37Protecting my wife is a matter of course.
22:39My wife.
22:39My heart inexplicably skipped a beat.
22:41I looked up gently, revealing a bright and captivating smile.
22:44Ethan looked at my unguarded smile and his breath suddenly hitched.
22:47He awkwardly averted his gaze.
22:48Don't smile at me like that.
22:49I paused slightly, blinked.
22:51Why?
22:56Because it will make my heart race.
22:59The air seemed to still for a moment.
23:01I hadn't expected him to be so direct, and my cheeks instantly flushed.
23:04I nervously turned my head away, pretending to gaze at the distant racetrack.
23:07I changed the subject.
23:08Good luck with the finals the day after tomorrow.
23:10Ethan chuckled softly.
23:11Don't worry, I'll win not just for Titan.
23:14I'll win this race for you.
23:15I turned to meet his gaze, and some hardened defense in my heart was quietly melting away.
23:19But I suddenly remembered something.
23:21So, after the race, what are your plans regarding our marriage?
23:24Even though we were legally married, our initial agreement was essentially a contract of mutual
23:28benefit.
23:29I did it for revenge against Liam, and he to deal with his family.
23:32With the culmination of my revenge nearing, I wasn't quite sure what he was truly thinking.
23:36After all, he couldn't possibly spend his life with someone who didn't love him.
23:39Ethan looked at me, a flicker of an unreadable emotion crossing his deep eyes.
23:43If you want, after the race, I can resolve this contractual marriage.
23:46The moment the word resolve hit me, a dull, pervasive ache spread through my heart.
23:50I stood there blankly, gazing at the composed man before me.
23:53My mind was completely empty.
23:55Resolve this marriage?
23:56What did he mean?
23:57Was he planning to divorce me right after the season?
24:00A huge wave of disappointment and panic instantly washed over me.
24:04I quickly plastered on a fake smile to cover my turmoil and embarrassment.
24:08That's good.
24:09I managed, the words catching in my throat.
24:11Everyone has the right to pursue their own happiness.
24:16After all, it's a marriage sustained only by a contract.
24:21And you'll gain nothing but torment when you stay with someone who doesn't love you.
24:24Ethan froze for a fraction of a second, a complex emotion flickering in his deep eyes.
24:29Chloe, is that what you truly think?
24:32I met his gaze, and it felt as his eyes could see directly into my very soul.
24:36My heart pounded wildly, feeling as if it was about to leap from my chest.
24:40Yeah.
24:41I choked out.
24:42Ethan's lips thinned into a wry line.
24:44Right.
24:46I get it.
24:47His voice rough and low.
24:48He gave me one last, long, unreadable look.
24:51Get some rest.
24:52The finals are tomorrow.
24:54Stay here.
24:55.
24:55.
24:55.
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