Missing Love Chapter 2

Ethan's refusal to attend brought the brand partners' fury down on my head.

I was reprimanded all afternoon. They still refused to sign next year's intent contract, saying there were details yet to be discussed.

I knew this was just an excuse, but I was powerless. After all, I was only the person in charge. The real decision-maker, Ethan, and his dismissive attitude toward this matter—that was the key issue.

In the end, I was directly suspended pending review.

I looked at the email on my computer, calmly accepting that all my efforts had been for nothing.

It wasn't until late at night that I drove back to the Carter house.

I sat in the garage for a long time, ultimately unwilling to step through the Carter family's door again.

Ethan had blatantly humiliated me, making me understand that the Carter house was never meant to be my refuge.

Grandfather Carter, who'd arranged our engagement, had passed away. Mother Carter didn't like me either, believing I wasn't worthy of Ethan and couldn't provide any advantage to the Carter family in the future. What was the point of such a daughter-in-law?

So all these years, I'd worked desperately hard to be worthy of Ethan. But Ethan's single phrase—"too calculating"—killed my heart directly.

My stomach cramped occasionally, reminding me I hadn't eaten all day.

But the storm I had to face wouldn't disappear because of my cowardice.

I pushed through the door into the Carter house. Mother Carter, sitting on the sofa, immediately looked up at me. The knowing expression on her face made me feel like I was still that little girl who'd walked into the Carter house wearing only a school uniform.

Mother Carter's attitude was clear: after this failure, I was no longer suitable for an executive position domestically.

I looked up. Was she throwing me out?

Mother Carter smiled soothingly at me and said: "Summer, the overseas project is at a pioneering stage. If done well, it's equally promising. But before you go, let's dissolve your engagement with Ethan..."

"How can young people today let the older generation's rigid rules bind them? Don't you agree?"

I sat on the sofa I'd never grown comfortable with in ten years, knowing Mother Carter's decision brooked no resistance. But I still struggled to say: "I want to wait for Ethan to come home..."

Hearing me mention Ethan, Mother Carter's eyes sharpened instantly: "Child, do you still not understand? Girls shouldn't always want to take shortcuts. Mother Carter looks down most on that kind of girl..."

I looked up sharply. How could she completely negate me like this? Couldn't she see my efforts over these years?

She taught me girls must have self-respect and dignity, to keep my distance from Ethan, not allowing me to study abroad with him.

She taught me I must start from the bottom at the company, not use the Carter name to gain extra advantages, or else I wouldn't be worthy of her Ethan.

Everything she said, I did.

What I got in return was Ethan's loathing growing deeper each day.

Until it became irreparable...

Mother Carter always meant what she said. Feeling she'd admonished me enough, she didn't bother with further pretense. She said goodnight and turned to go upstairs.

I drank the glass of ice water before me clean. My stomach immediately cramped. I unconsciously curled up on the sofa, waiting for the pain to pass, as if only this way could I feel like a living person.

Suddenly a phone rang.

There was silence first, then Ethan's voice came through. Though I wanted to hang up directly, I still sat up straight.

Ethan had gotten into a fight at a bar and was being detained.

After getting the address, I drove there at breakneck speed.

Pushing open the bar door, I saw Ethan pinned to the ground with Vanessa Stone nestled in his arms.

In an instant, I felt the last flicker of flame in my heart extinguish.

A figure blocked my path. A slightly hoarse voice rang out: "Well, she's a beauty too! Ignoring such a gorgeous fiancée and looking for wildflowers..."

The mocking voice accompanied by derisive eyes made Ethan, sitting on the ground, shout angrily at the man: "Derek, don't push your luck!"

He tried to stand, but his shoulders were held down by people on either side. He couldn't move.

I had no mood to deal with Ethan. I looked up at the man who'd just spoken.

Derek was very tall, unexpectedly handsome, about Ethan's age, but his expression was fierce and unfriendly.

"What do you want?"

"This woman," he pointed at Vanessa Stone. Vanessa trembled and nestled even closer to Ethan.

"She's my girlfriend. Your fiancé stole my girlfriend. What do you say about that?"

"Derek, don't lie. We broke up long ago." Vanessa had finally caught the big fish that was Ethan—how could she let go easily?

"Ethan, believe me." She hugged Ethan even tighter, crying herself into a pitiful state.

"I didn't agree. You want to fly up the social ladder and kick me aside? Dream on."

I looked at the handsome young man beside me, wanting to say "we're in the same boat," but what came out was: "That's still no reason to hit someone."

"Love is mutual consent. Since the other person doesn't want you anymore, why not be gracious and let go? Part on good terms..."

After saying this, I felt Ethan suddenly look up at me.

I smiled self-mockingly. Wasn't I saying what was in his heart? Why could he do it but I couldn't say it?

"Didn't expect you to be so generous, sister. But I'm not you. I'm petty. He relied on being rich, spoke rudely, not only stole my girlfriend but also hit our people. What do you say?"

"What do you want?"

"There are ten bottles of beer here. He refused to drink them earlier. You drink them..." Derek had a cigarette in his mouth, speaking as his handsome face disappeared behind the smoke.

"Summer, don't drink..."

"Shut up... Isn't it embarrassing enough? I'm embarrassed!"

"It's a deal." I looked at Derek to confirm.

"Of course..."

One bottle, two bottles...

Ten bottles of beer were easily finished. I was already well-practiced at this—at business dinners before, I always drank for Ethan to protect him.

But only I knew that today's stomach pain had exceeded what I could bear.

My hands trembling, I placed the last empty bottle on the table and said to Derek: "That's enough, right..."

Derek was close enough to see how terrible I looked. Embarrassment flashed across his face.

Perhaps bullying women was something he wasn't good at.

He waved both hands, signaling the people holding Ethan to let go.

Freed, Ethan seemed about to walk toward me, but Vanessa suddenly threw her arms around his waist, crying that she was sorry, it was all her fault...

I watched Ethan's hand rise and fall, ultimately pulling Vanessa into his arms and patting her back soothingly.

Derek beside me let out a scornful laugh and threw his cigarette butt in the trash.

I painfully turned my head aside, avoiding the sight of them embracing.

Suddenly, a sharp pain in my stomach made me crouch on the ground.

I looked at Ethan, but he completely ignored my gaze. Instead, Vanessa walked over, trying to help me up.

"Sister Summer, are you okay..."

But her voice, her touch—everything about her disgusted me.

I used to trust her so much. Yet she betrayed me as easily as chopping vegetables.

Making me a joke.

I waved my hand in disgust, pushing her arm away.

I hadn't used much force—moreover, I had no strength left. But Vanessa acted as if she couldn't withstand my force and fell to the ground.

"Summer, what are you doing?" Seeing Vanessa fall, Ethan roared at me, then crouched down to help Vanessa up.

"Stop being so self-righteous and know your place..."

Ethan's words were like a sharp axe, splitting open my already riddled heart.

Some words can remain unsaid.

But once spoken, there's little room for redemption.

He always thought everything I did was to please him, to gain something from him, from the Carter family.

"My place? Then tell me—what is my place?" I looked at Ethan, who'd once cared for me so tenderly, asking weakly.

He said he could protect me. He said I didn't need to always bow my head.

His words still echoed in my ears, yet he'd changed.

Perhaps the alcohol was taking effect. I finally raised my head and looked directly into his eyes, loudly accusing: "Tell me—what is my place..."

The world was so big, and I stood here completely alone.

"You..." He awkwardly avoided my gaze. Perhaps seeing my condition, perhaps feeling guilty, he didn't say anything more hurtful.

His steps moved two paces toward me, but his pride ultimately couldn't be set aside. In the end, he pulled Vanessa into his arms and made to leave.

I tried to grab his hand, but I couldn't lift my arm.

We brushed past each other, drifting further apart.

We'd known each other ten years, Ethan.

I couldn't hold on anymore. I vomited with a "wah."

At least throwing up made my heart hurt less.

Finally, a sweet, bloody liquid shot from my throat.

Through my fading consciousness, I heard exclamations all around...