My mom rolled her eyes with practiced grace. “Claire Bennett, isn’t the face I gave you your best advantage? You’ve inherited my beauty and none of my other good qualities. You look so much like me; back in my dayโฆ” (one thousand narcissistic words omitted). I forced myself to be patient and said, “Ethan has someone he lovesโHazel. You can’t just shove me at him because Hazel isn’t back in the country.”
My mom put a hand to my forehead, puzzled. “You’re not feverish. Why are you talking nonsense?” When I stayed silent, she added, “Don’t worry. Ethan’s been decent all these years. He’s almost thirty and never dated, which is why his mother came to talk to me about asking for you as a daughter-in-law.” I was getting more annoyed. Why would my parents refuse to believe Ethan and Hazel had a past when I’d told them so many times?
I was about to speak when the doorbell rang again, choking off my words. I opened the door in a sour mood.
Standing there was Ethanโmy legal husband.
"E-Ethan?" I said, confused. "Weren’t you at the lab?" My mom hurried over, lighting up. "Is Ethan here to pick up Claire?" "Mom, these are for you and Dad." Ethan handed over bags as if it were the most natural thing. "I took a couple days off from the lab. I came home and didn’t see Claire; I figured she was here, so I stopped by." Watching my mom beam, I thought: what a model son-in-law.
"If you’re coming, just comeโno need for all that. I’ve told Claire enough, you two can head home." Ethan finally looked at me. "Want me to take you out to eat? Anything you want?" My mom cheerfully shooed me into Ethan’s car, clearly convinced she’d performed a heroic matchmaking deed.
On the drive, I couldn’t sit still. Ethan stayed silent, so I forced the small talk. "Why did you take time off?" I asked.
“You should’ve told me you were coming home,” he said with a faint reproach. “If you came back alone, your mom would worry we were fighting.” I felt a little hurt and snapped softly, “You weren’t home, and I’m not familiar with the new place. I didn’t want to be alone.” Ethan tilted his head and asked, “Are you afraid of the dark?”
I cocked my head, thinking. "No. I just don’t sleep well in strange beds." "Since I’m married to you, I’ll do my duty and be the husband and son-in-law I should be." Ethan’s tone was flat, as if saying a plain fact.
He was such a capable personโeverything he did was done thoroughly. I believed he could play the part of husband. But regarding Hazelโhad he really let her go?
"Actually," I said, "if you want, we can end this marriage at any time." Because you have no love for me, only obligation. I didn’t dare bring up Hazel abroadโdidn’t want to stir up old pain.
“Mrs. Foster, I have no intention of ending our marriage, now or in the future. My parents like you, and we’re a good match. I don’t want to spend my time going back and forth over this.” He parked and opened my door for me.
We were at a highly rated authentic Szechuan hotpot restaurant. He probably thought he was thoughtful bringing me here. He didn’t know I can’t eat spicy food.
His gestures toward me were gentle and considerateโbut completely bereft of love.
I said nothing and followed him inside. He ordered, and I watched the red oil bubble in the pot. The smell was fierce; my eyes were close to watering.
"Excuse me, can I get your WeChat?" a young college-looking girl asked Ethan, cutting through my thoughts. Ethan was mixing dipping sauce and didn’t even look up, as if he hadn’t heard.
Receiving no reply, the girl awkwardly turned to me. “Does your brother have a girlfriend?” I blinkedโhow could she possibly mistake us for siblings?
"He isn’tโ" I started to explain.
"Married." Ethan said the word sharply, placed the sauce in front of me, and never glanced at the girl. She mumbled an apology and fled.
“Ethan.” My nose stung a little. “Could you… not be so good to me?” I was afraid his kindness would make it impossible for me to hold back my feelings. I had loved Ethan long before Hazel ever did.
I couldn’t remember when it startedโten years ago? Twenty? I always followed his footsteps: same middle school, same high school, same major. On the day I got my acceptance letter, I wanted to tell himโwanted to confess. Passing a room, I heard Hazel tell him, "Okayโfive years from now, when I come back, you’ll marry me." Ethan said, "Okay." Hazel then traveled the world for inspiration, determined to be a great painter. Ethan buried himself in research and became a well-known scientist. I studied Biomedical Engineering, a field I didn’t love, and kept my feelings to myself.
Ethan was like a beloved book I couldn’t stop rereadingโknowing I couldn’t get inside but unable to let go.
“Claire Bennett,” he said, using my full name this time, “if you really don’t want to marry me, you should have said so from the start. I wouldn’t force you.” I looked up and tears slipped down. The hotpot was making my eyes sting.
Seeing me cry, Ethan looked awkward but tried to soothe me. "I didn’t mean anything. Don’t read too much into it." "This hotpot is really spicy," I said, talking about something else entirely.
Ethan said, "Hazel recommended this place. I thought you two had similar tastesโฆ What’s wrong? Don’t you like spicy food?" "It’s my period. I don’t have an appetite," I said expressionlessly. I knew my attitude was strange, but I couldn’t bear to hear Hazel’s name.
"Let’s go home." Ethan called the server for the bill, picked up his coat on the chair, and said, "Come on, Claire."
Back at Ethan’s house, I sat on the couch scrolling through my feed. My friend Maya had posted her wedding photos and I realized Ethan and I hadn’t even taken wedding photos.
Both families originally wanted a grand weddingโboth the Fosters and Bennetts were prominent. I had refused. I didn’t want a big spectacle. Marrying Ethan felt like something I’d stolen from Hazelโsomething that couldn’t be shown to the light. How could I parade it around?
While I was looking at Maya’s photos, she called.
"Hey Maya," I answered, "Ethan and I picked up the certificate today." "With who?" Maya was still her loud self. "What time is itโare you sleeping in?" I checked the study upstairs to make sure he couldn’t hear, then went on, "No, I really did it. We picked it up." "Waitโyou mean Ethan Foster?" Maya was incredulous. "Yes, the one you mean." I was half amused, half exasperated.
“This world is wild. This is even crazier than when I transmigrated,” she shouted. “Claire Bennett, you did itโyou married the man every woman in Southport dreams of!” I had a headache from her yelling. “I’ve liked Ethan for so many years,” I said. Silence on the line made me think the call dropped. Maya then whispered, “You’ve known him so long? Holyโwhat kind of family are you?” Ugh.
Maya always focused on the oddest things. I kept myself from smacking her and steered the conversation back. "The point is I like himโI’ve liked him for years." "Ah! Wait, I remember nowโhe’s the childhood friend you left me for when you went overseas?" Her mental reflex was slow.
“Marrying him should make your dream come true,” Maya gushed. “Bossy CEO’s little wifeโno, bossy scientist’s little wife. So exciting!” “But I think he used to date my cousin,” I said, and the words felt like a heavy stone in my chest.
“Oohโspicy,” Maya purred. “I wouldn’t even dare to write this in a novel.” I rubbed my temple. “So I don’t know how to face my cousin about it.” “Face what?” Maya said. “You didn’t steal or lie. You legally registeredโwhat’s there to explain? You’re protected by law. Why worry about an ex?” That fired me up. I crossed my legs and, in full gossip mode, asked, “Do men never forget their first love? Isn’t it true that when the ex cries, the current girlfriend loses?” “How would I knowโฆ Claire, you seem a little off today.”
โYouโre not usually so sentimental. Arenโt you supposed to be a straight-up STEM girl?โ I even thought my sudden mood today was weird. Ethan is probably my biggest exception.
(4)
After hanging up with Maya, boredom hit me. I scrolled Zhihu on my phone.
A topic caught my eye: โWhatโs it like to marry someone youโve liked for a long time?โ Hmmโฆ whatโs it like being married to Ethan?
Itโs like when you were a kid and saw a beautiful, delicate doll in a store windowโloved it but couldnโt buy it, so youโd make a point of going to the mall every day just to look.
Day after day, year after year you stare at it, and then one day the store clerk takes the doll out and hands it to you, announcing itโs yours now.
At first youโre overjoyed, but later an unreal feeling creeps in, then fearโfear that someone else will like the doll, fear youโll lose it.
Losing something after having it hurts so much more than never having had it at all.
Mayaโs last words still echoed: โStop being scared. Whatever happened between Ethan and Hazel was five years ago. Your legal husband is right in front of you, why are you chickening out? Youโre not worse than Hazel. You grew up togetherโbeing close to him gives you a head startโฆโ I admit, when Maya gets excited, her words tumble out all wrong, but the kernel is true.
Thinking Ethan hadnโt eaten much tonight, I opened the fridge and made a bowl of tomato-and-egg noodles.
This was my signature dish. Back when I was studying in the culinary desert of the British Isles, itโs what kept me alive.
I took a deep breath to calm the tension and knocked on the study door.
Ethan opened quickly, looking puzzled. โWhatโs up?โ
โI made you noodles. You didnโt eat much tonight.โ I met his eyes. โI didnโt want you to be hungry.โ He blinked and then said, โOkay, Iโll eat now.โ The chopsticks were already set. Ethan rolled his sleeves up and dug in.
I propped my chin on my hand and watched him. He looked so goodโfeatures so precise it was like an artist had drawn him. From this angle, that high nose made me ache with envy.
He took a few bites and noticed me staring. He cleared his throat. โYouโre not eating?โ
I waved him off, reverting to my breezy self. โItโs my period. No appetite.โ โOpen up.โ Ethan twirled some noodles and held them to my mouth. Heโd never done anything this intimate before, so his expression was awkward.
I obediently opened my mouth.
The noodles were soft, soaked with tomato sauceโtangy and sweet and utterly tempting.
He didnโt switch chopsticks when he fed me, which meantโฆ oh my god, indirect kissing!!!
Realizing that, my face went hot; my ears flamed.
Ethan poked my cheek. โWhy are you so red? Is your period making you hot?โ My face felt even hotter. I mumbled, โNoโฆ youโre overthinking. Iโm going to sleep.โ Ethan suddenly became serious. โI think you might have dysregulation between your sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, causing capillary dilation and heat.โ
Youโre the one with nerve dysregulation.
Trying to seem like a gentle, well-mannered wife in front of the man I loved, I said softly, โSome sleep should fix it. Donโt worry.โ โMaybe you should see a doctor.โ He set down his chopsticks and straightened his sleeves. โI rememberedโif you get a virus during your period, an upper respiratory infection can cause fever.โ
If I didnโt like you Iโd have to smack you.
โNo, Iโm fine.โ I jumped up and escaped the table. โYou do your work. Iโm going to sleep.โ
(5)
Time flew; Ethan and I were nearing three months of marriage.
I Married My Childhood Friend, But He Loved Her
His project kept him busy, but perhaps because he knew I was nervous about being alone, he always made it home before ten, no matter how busy he was.
He had a great memory. He quickly learned what I liked and disliked and sometimes cooked for me.
When we had free evenings weโd watch new movies on the home projector.
He always accused me of leaving chip crumbs all over the couch, yet when I finished a bag heโd hand me another.
When bored, I tinkered with baking and even came up with some disastrous desserts of my own. I didnโt want to eat them myself, but Ethan finished every bite, even when he had to frown his way through them.
He really was fulfilling every duty. As he said, he was trying to be a good husband.
Around our hundredth day, he casually said, โI booked two tickets to London.โ My hand shook and chips scattered. โLondon?โ โMy experimentโs done. The team lead gave me a week off. I thought Iโd take you away for a break,โ he said.
โWhy London?โ My voice trembled. Iโd seen Hazelโs location tagโshe was in London.
Ethan blinked. โI havenโt been back to London in two years. I wanted to go back. Besides, you studied in London for five years, right?โ I couldnโt find a reason to refuse and mumbled yes.
He smiled and ruffled my hair. โI wonโt be back tonight. I need to finish lab work. If youโre scared, go to your parentsโ.โ As soon as he left, I called Maya.
โClaire, what are you doing? Itโs three in the morning!โ she complained when she picked up.
I didnโt care. I blurted, โBest friend in the whole world, listenโIโm freaking out!โ โHold on, Iโll go to the living room.โ I remembered sheโd gone to the UK with her fiancรฉ Liam to meet his family. โOkay, spill,โ she said.
โEthanโs taking me to London. Iโm in shock.โ โLondon? What a coincidenceโIโm in London right now.โ
So London was suddenly popular.
โAlso,โ I said, โHazel is in London.โ โYou two will run into each other eventually,โ Maya yawned. โSheโs your cousinโcanโt hide forever.โ โWe havenโt seen each other in six or seven years,โ I said. โWho knows if sheโll come at me angry.โ โCould be a full-on slapping-and-hair-pulling dramaโold flame versus new flame, how will Mr. Foster choose?โ I pictured Hazel slapping and pulling my hair; because we hadnโt seen each other in years, my mental Hazel was the nineteen-year-old version.
โIf this were a novel, Hazel would be the heroine,โ Maya mused. โHer name and Ethanโs even have that poetic connection.โ
I couldnโt take it. โOur parents chose Ethanโs name and mine as a pair, inspired by the same poem. Hazel only got her name later. After her parents died, she came to live with us. My mom thought her old name was unlucky and changed it.โ โWhat was her original name?โ โLila Summers.โ
Maya erupted in laughter. โClaire, donโt be scared. With names like yours and Ethanโs, youโre the OTP. Let Lila dream on!โ
(6)
Ethan and I landed in London and checked into our hotel without drama.
Maya had meant to meet me in London but was taken to Australia by her fiancé to meet his grandparents.
I both looked forward to and feared the trip, praying London was big enough for me not to bump into Hazel.
London hadnโt changed much since I left. Ethan and I even revisited my old campus.
The professor who mentored both of usโProfessor Martin Hayesโwas surprised we were together and gave us his blessings with a smile.
That evening, snow began to fall gently over Londonโa rare sight when I studied there. After five years in London, Iโd only seen snow a handful of times.
โEthan! Lookโsnow!โ I reached up, catching a flurry in my hand and showing him.
He looked down at me, brushed a flake off my shoulder, and echoed, โYeah, itโs snow.โ Small flakes drifted down. โThe last time I saw snow in London was four years ago. I didnโt go home that Christmas.โ Ethan replied, โI hadnโt gone home yet that Christmas either.โ That got me talking. โThe snow was so heavy that year. Maya and her boyfriend Liam came to London to spend time with me. If Iโd known you were here, I would have invited you to dinner.โ โI wasnโt in London. I went to Florence,โ he said. I brightened. โI was supposed to go to Florence too, but I couldnโt get away from my research project.โ That had been the year of Hazelโs graduation. My parents had flown out for it, and Iโd heard she had given a graduation speech. Ethan seemed to be remembering it. โI was invited to your cousinโs graduation. I saw your parents there.โ My mood dropped; I walked silently, trying to make footprints in the thin snow.
Back at the hotel it was warm inside.
I cuddled on the couch and scrolled through Moments. To my surprise, Ethanโwho never postsโhad updated his feed.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime event.
I opened it and found heโd posted a photo of me heโd snuck during our campus visitโme bundled in a scarf, grumbling about the cold.
In the photo I was looking down at something and smiling.
I refreshed and saw Hazel had liked the post.
Even after so many years, sheโd recognize me.
The room was heated, but I felt like I was in an icebox. My old impression of Hazel was forceful and bold; I didnโt know what she might do.
Then the message popped up from her: โClaire, can we meet?โ
โLetโs talk about Ethan.โ Straight to the pointโthatโs Hazel.
I replied, โOkay,โ and sent her the hotel location.
โGo take a shower,โ Ethan said as he stepped out of the bathroom. โUse hotter waterโyouโre on your period.โ I was half out of it, obediently took the clothes Ethan handed me, and went into the bathroom.
Worried Hazel would arrive soon, I showered quickly and came back out.
โThat fast?โ Ethan raised an eyebrow. โYou usually take at least half an hour.โ Just then my phone lit upโHazel had messaged: Letโs talk downstairs. Itโs awkward in front of Ethan. โEthan, Iโm stepping out for a minute. Iโll be right back,โ I said. Then I grabbed my phone and headed downstairs.
I saw Hazel.
She wore a fiery red coat, a matching scarf knotted at her throat like a blaze.
Ohโฆ the scarf.
I couldnโt help shrinking into myself. Ethan had assumed I wouldnโt go outโthe room had heatโso heโd brought me comfy loungewear.
But the air outside was bone-chilling cold, and I hugged my arms to keep warm.
A dull ache in my lower abdomen made me wince.
โHazelโฆโ I didnโt know how to start.
She cut me off, her delicate brows drawing together. โClaire, are you together with Ethan?โ โWith Ethanโฆ it was arranged by our families. My parents said the Foster family would be a good matchโฆโ That was all I could say to explain.
โClaire,โ Hazel said softly, โif it was Uncle and Auntโs arrangement, go talk to them. Explain it. They love you; they wouldnโt keep forcing you.โ โEthan and I already picked up the marriage certificate.โ I lowered my eyes, ashamed to look at Hazel.
โWhat did you say?โ Disbelief flooded Hazelโs face. โYou and Ethan got the certificate?โ โYes. No wedding, so we didnโt make it public.โ โClaire, if itโs a family arrangement, you can divorce him, right?โ Hazelโs gaze was full of something that made my chest acheโpleading, pain, betrayal.
I stayed silent. Hazel stepped forward and gripped my hand, her voice cracking: โIโve always let you have things, but I really like Ethan. He likes me too. I canโt let this goโyou have to divorce him, okay?โ
The ache in my abdomen sharpened. Cold spread through me; Hazelโs grip on my wrist hurt.
โHazel, Iโm sorry, Iโฆโ The words โI canโt give him upโ weighed like a thousand pounds and stuck in my throat.
Then warmth wrapped around me.
โYou shouldโve worn more to go downstairs.โ It was Ethanโs voice.
He mustโve come down because I hadnโt gone back upstairs.
โEthanโฆโ Hazel loosened her hold on my wrist, eyes misting. โLong time no seeโฆโ โMm.โ Ethan answered, then gently chided my stunned self, โPut your coat on.โ I fumbled my arms into the sleeves and zipped my down jacket.
Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.
My head was a mess. Hazel showing up meant our barely hundred-day marriage could be over.
โLetโs go upstairs and talk,โ Ethan said, then led the way back to the hotel.
Ethan poured two cups of warm water for Hazel and me.
โTalk here if you want. Iโll listen too.โ He sat beside me and looked at Hazel across from us.
Hazel couldnโt keep calm and blurted out first: โEthan, what is going on between you and her?โ โIt was arranged by the families, so we married.โ Ethan was blunt.
Tears instantly clouded Hazelโs eyes. โBut we agreedโyou said youโd marry me when I finished my studies.โ โI never promised you that.โ Ethanโs reply was as short as before.
I watched Hazelโs knuckles turn white on her cup.
โSo what is she to you? Why did you quietly marry her?โ she demanded.
Ethan frowned and corrected her. โShe has a name. Sheโs Mrs. Foster, Claire Bennettโyour cousin.โ Hazel sneered. โIf you knew she was my cousin, how could youโafter meโgo after her?!โ โI think you misunderstand.โ A chill that had been barely held back now showed in Ethanโs face. โYou told me to marry you. I thought a union between the Fosters and the Bennetts was bound to happen. I donโt waste time on these trifles, so I didnโt explicitly refuse you.โ Ethan put an arm around my shoulder and said in a low voice, โBut our families arranged for me to marry Claire, and weโve already married. Both families approve, and I have no plans to divorce. If my earlier behavior misled you, I apologize.โ I donโt think Iโd ever heard Ethan talk so much.
โClaire,โ Hazel turned her accusation to me, โyouโve always known I like Ethan.โ I stayed mute.
Hazel went on: โWhen I was fifteen, my parents died, and I was brought to the Bennett household in Southport. Feeling dependent on someone elseโs charity was suffocating. Back then, I even thought about ending my life.โ Her stare was intense, pleading. โI owe the Bennetts nothing. I left as soon as I became an adult. Iโve been abroad for years and never gone back.โ I stole a glance at Ethan. His expression was still cold; her words hadnโt seemed to move him. โClaire, you were born into so much more than I was. You can marry Ethan simply because your parents arranged it. I had to work my way up to his level. Iโve always let you have things, but EthanโI really canโt give him up. Why should I hand you something Iโve worked so hard for?โ
So Hazel hadnโt returned for seven years because she didnโt consider the Bennett household home?
I couldnโt help speaking up. โHazel, arenโt you being a little unfair to my parents? After Uncle and Aunt died, my parents brought you from the countryside to live with us. Worried youโd fall behind, they sent you to a private school. You wanted to study artโmy parents never said no.โ I grew more heated. โWhen you went abroad, they worried you wouldnโt have enough money and sent funds to your account every month. Can you honestly say you never spent any of it?โ Hazel practically shouted, โSo you think I owe you everything?! You think Ethan marrying you is a givenโhave you even asked yourself whether you deserve him?!โ
Do I deserve him?
Hazel had a point: Ethanโs marriage to me was arranged by our families. Without that, knowing his temperament, he might never have married. Hazelโs tragedy was she believed she was his one true loveโwithout realizing Ethan had never actually fallen for anyone.
โEnough.โ Ethan cut through Hazelโs tirade. โJust because I donโt say things doesnโt mean I donโt know.โ I looked at him, waiting for more.
Ethan glanced at Hazel and said, โYou havenโt been away the whole time. Five years ago you got pregnant by your professor. It was too complicated abroad, so you returned and terminated the pregnancy.โ I was floored and glanced at Hazel.
Her expression froze instantly. After a long beat she answered in a rough voice, โIt was an accidentโฆ I applied for a scholarship, and the professorโhe took advantage of me. I hated him. Of course I wouldnโt keep that child.โ โFour years ago I went to your graduation. You were still close with him, and you introduced him as your mentor.โ Ethanโs words landed like blades. โOr is this Stockholm syndrome?โ โIโฆโ Hazel went white.
โGoodbye.โ Ethan dismissed her.
Hazel grabbed her bag and fled, without a trace of the smug superiority sheโd arrived with, as though she were a wronged wife catching a mistress.
After Hazel left, Ethanโs face remained as cold as London weather.
โHow did you know about Hazelโs situation?โ Did he investigate her? I couldnโt figure it out.
โSomeone mailed the photos to my house.โ That explained it.
I was about to ask more when Ethan got up and returned to the bedroom without even saying good night.
I touched my noseโwas he still angry? Shouldnโt I be the one furious? If not for him, my cousin wouldnโt have shouted at me like that!
To be safe, I decided to ask Maya Carter. She writes novels and has a fiancé who worships her.
โClaire, are you out of your mind?โ Maya answered, waking up and instantly cranky. โCanโt you check time zones before you call?โ I hung up fastโno outside help tonight. I had to figure this out myself.
I replayed Hazelโs words in my head: that I didnโt deserve Ethan, that I should divorce him, that Ethan was her light and faith. I decided to write a little message to Ethan on WeChatโexplain my feelings after hearing Hazel. Maybe a heartfelt note from a practical STEM girl would move him?
I opened WeChat and froze. How to start?
Screw it.
โHazel said I donโt deserve youโฆ Donโt listen to her. Having me as your wife isnโt shameful. I have a postgraduate degree from a top universityโif she mocks my degree sheโs mocking yoursโฆโ No. Deleting. Too boastful.
I deleted everything and tried again. โHazelโs right in one wayโmarrying you is my blessing. Look at you: from a prominent family, outrageously handsome, accomplished in research at a young ageโSouthport would fall over itself to marry youโฆโ No. Way too sycophantic.
Typing was clearly not my talent. Then I remembered Mayaโs trick: when inspiration runs dry, go out and look for it. Maybe a walk in the snow would clear my head.
I wrapped my scarf, pulled on my long down coat, and went downstairs.
Snow kept falling, showing no sign of stopping.
A three- or four-centimeter blanket of snow already covered the sidewalks. I stepped into the soft, powdery snow in my boots, leaving prints as I walked, my thoughts all on Ethan.
Ethan is three years older than me. When I was little he wasn't so coldโhe'd even build block towers with me.
I liked him before I even knew what "liking" meant. My mom says I used to cling to him for no reason at all.
Then Ethan started middle school and grew into that clean, sharp-faced boy. He'd always sit alone in the study, working on physics problems that looked impossibly hard to me.
Later, he went to boarding school in high school.
Sometimes Iโd use his parents as an excuse to go see him. He was either in the lab or the library.
I told myself I had to work hard to have anything to talk about with him.
So I stopped showing up constantly. I buried my feelings deep inside.
I started sacrificing playtime like himโdoing problem sets, entering competitions.
When it came time to apply for college, I didn't even think twice. I applied to the same university and the same major he was in.
My parents joked that our family was going to produce a scientist like Ethan.
I followed his footsteps, one careful step at a time.
Hazel worked hard to be worthy of Ethanโand wasn’t I doing the same?
Thinking that made me inexplicably a little hurt.
I looked up at the fluttering snowflakes and the line from an old poem popped into my head: "like willow fluff rising on the wind." It felt so fitting.
"Are you trying to freeze to death?" Ethan appeared at my side, his face dark.
I froze and tilted my head to look at him.
A few flakes rested on his shoulder. He lowered his eyes to me, his thin lips pressed tight.
The next second he scooped me up in his arms.
"Don't run around during your period." Caught off guard, I buried my face in his chest.
Otherwise my beautiful face would be smacked by snowflakes!
"Don't move," Ethan said.
I couldn't see his expression, but from his voice I could tell he wasn't angry anymore.
My heart fluttered and I couldn't help blurting out, "Ethanโฆhave you fallen for me?"
The moment the words left my mouth I regretted them, wanting to bite my tongue off. After what felt like forever, I heard his amused reply: “So you figured it out. Clever Mrs. Foster.”
(The End)