IN O 

Chapter 4 

As I was packing my suitcase, the doorbell rang. 

I opened the door to find Serena Nolan standing there. She looked the same as she had all 

those years ago. 

Can I help you?” I asked, my voice flat. 

She walked past me, entering the apartment as if she owned the place. 

I followed her, repeating my question. “Serena, what do you want?” 

She ignored me, turning to face me with a strange smile. “If I had married Ethan, do you think we would have been happy?” 

“No,” I said flatly. 

The Carter family would never have accepted her, a girl from a modest background. Ethan could have married anyone, but not her. 

But she didn’t believe me. 

She shrugged, unconvinced, and headed for the stairs. 

I didn’t want her in my bedroom, in our space. I reached out to stop her, but before I could touch her, she stumbled and fell down the stairs. 

At that moment, Ethan walked in. 

Serena was sprawled at the bottom of the stairs, her forehead bleeding, her knee scraped. 

I couldn’t help but laugh, a bitter, broken sound. 

Ethan’s eyes met mine, his face contorted with rage. He raised his hand, ready to strike. 

“I didn’t touch her, Ethan. Believe me.” 

But he didn’t. “You’re a vicious woman, Grace. First you almost killed Serena, and now this?” 

13:12 Fri, 13 Dec M 

“She was just released from the hospital. She came to pick up some documents.” 

“So, you didn’t answer my calls that day because Serena was in the hospital?” 

He hesitated. “Yes. But why would you call me anyway? It’s not like…” 

His words stung. Abby wasn’t even a thought in his mind. Serena was all that mattered. 

I had called him that day. I had even sent him a message, telling him that Abby was gone. 

t he never responded. 

He was indifferent to her death. 

Ethan scooped Serena into his arms, her body limp against his chest. 

“Wait,” I called out, my voice a hollow whisper. “I have a gift for you.” 

He stopped, his eyes questioning. 

I retrieved the engagement ring from the bedroom, the diamond sparkling coldly in the dim light. I walked over to Serena and slipped it onto her finger. 

It fit perfectly. 

I looked at her, then at Ethan, my voice barely audible. “Ethan, it’s all yours now. Take it. 

He frowned, muttering, “Crazy bitch,” as he carried Serena out of the apartment. 

I watched them go, my tears falling silently. The pain in my chest was a constant ache, a heavy weight that wouldn’t lift. 

But I walked to the window, watching as he gently placed her in his car, his touch tender and protective. 

That tenderness had never been mine. 

Ethan, I don’t need you anymore.