00:03In the cast, whenever he came home, Lily would run to hug his legs and sweetly call Daddy.
00:09Sophia would emerge from the kitchen in an apron to take his coat.
00:13Now, the place was desolate. He rushed to the kitchen. The place was utterly devoid of life.
00:19This wasn't a home where someone had just left. It was more like a shell from which the soul had
00:24been stripped away. Panic spread through his veins. He rushed upstairs, flung open the master
00:29bedroom door.
00:30Daddy!
00:31Ethan paused while taking off his shoes. He didn't pick her up, just nodded. Lily didn't
00:36let that get her down. She held up a piece of drawing paper as if showing off a treasure.
00:41Look, I drew our family today. Teacher said it was the best one and gave me a gold star.
00:46I walked over to take the drawing, but Lily stubbornly held it up, looking at Ethan with
00:51eyes full of anticipation. But Ethan's gaze never left his phone screen. The corners of his eyes
00:56and brows held a smile he would never show to me or our daughter. Lily's arms grew sore
01:01from holding it up, so she tugged at the hem of his suit pants with her chubby little hands.
01:08Daddy, look at my drawing!
01:10There was no response. Lily's voice took on a whimpering, aggrieved tone, and Ethan finally
01:15looked up, frowing his brow. It's a nice drawing. Go to bed.
01:18His gaze didn't linger on the drawing for even a second. Lily's lips pouted, her eyes instantly
01:24reading. She lowered her head and silently rolled up the drawing. My heart ached so much
01:29I could hardly breathe. I pulled Lily into my arms and gently patted her back until the
01:34nanny took her back to her room. I looked up and stared at his familiar face.
01:39Have you really been that busy lately?
01:41Ethan finally looked up from his phone.
01:43Why are you asking that all of a sudden?
01:45I'm heading to Paris next week. If it's a vacation, aren't you coming with me?
01:49Ethan's left hand gently traced the dial of the Patek Philippe watch on his right wrist.
01:53The company just landed a big project. I can't get away.
01:56It's a habit he's had since childhood. Whenever he lies, he subconsciously touches
02:00the watch on his wrist. When we were dating, he was secretly preparing an engagement ring.
02:05And when I asked him where he'd been, he did the same thing, running his fingers over the watch face.
02:11Back then I thought even his lies were cute. Now it just makes me sick.
02:16After putting Lily to bed, I tiptoed out of the nursery.
02:20The sound of Ethan's steady breathing drifted from the master bedroom.
02:24I turned and walked into the study, where I turned on the computer.
02:27I opened my hidden private email account, where an email sent two weeks ago was waiting.
02:31The headquarters of Chanel, Paris' top haute couture brand, had extended a sincere invitation
02:36for me to serve as the brand's chief designer for North America.
02:40Six years ago, I was the hottest rising star in the fashion world, hailed as a genius designer with
02:45extraordinary flair. Later, I married Ethan. He took my hand, said he didn't want me to work so hard.
02:52He promised to provide for me the most stable life. To avoid hindering his career,
02:57I willingly went into hiding, becoming just another wealthy socialette in the industry
03:01who lived off her husband's money. Even in public, I had to pose as his little sister.
03:06I stared at the French text on the screen as my fingers tapped the keyboard.
03:09I accept the invitation and will report for duty on time next week. My heart, dormant for six years,
03:16suddenly began to race. Three days before my departure, I went to Ethan's fashion group
03:21headquarters to complete the paperwork and collect my visa documents. Along the way,
03:26veteran employees at the company cast complicated glances my way. They all know that I've been the
03:30driving force behind the company's core designs these past few years, but hardly anyone knows that
03:36I'm actually Mrs. Shaw. As I approached the door to Ethan's executive office, it suddenly swung open
03:41from the inside. Chloe stepped out. She was wearing an extremely form-fitting strapless dress with a
03:46plunging neckline. When she saw me, she frawls for a moment, then covered her mouth and giggled choily.
03:52Oh my, Sophia, what brings you here? Her voice was sweet and cloying, laced with undisguised
03:58provocation. Here to ask your brother for money again? Honestly, if you bought fewer handbags,
04:04you wouldn't have to keep coming to the office and disrupting Ethan's work. Chloe acted like a boss's
04:08wife because Ethan had told her I was just a greedy little sister sent over by my family to freedload.
04:13I stared coldly at the testiculous red mark on the side of her neck. Last night,
04:18Ethan said he had to work late at the office and didn't come home all night. Move aside.
04:22Chloe's face froze and her eyes instantly reddened. Sophia, don't be mad. I know you've never liked me,
04:29but once we're married, you'll have to start calling me sister-in-law.
04:32Ethan strode out and shielded Chloe behind him. He wasn't even wearing his suit jacket. The top
04:39three buttons of his white shirt were undone, and there was even a faint smudge of lipstick on his
04:44collarbone. Ethan frowned at me. Sophia, what are you up to now? I'm here to pick up the paperwork
04:50for Paris. Ethan's expression softened slightly. The documents are on the desk. Go get them yourself.
04:56I walked past them into the office. As I was about to leave with the documents,
04:59my gaze inadvertently swept over the edge of a file, revealing a photograph. Chloe was wearing
05:05a wedding dress, smiling sweetly as she nestled in Ethan's arms. Ethan looked down at her,
05:10his eyes filled with an unyielding tenderness. On the back of the photo was Chloe's neat brand
05:16writing. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, forever in love. The blood drained from my face. When Ethan saw the photo
05:21in my hand, he snatched it from me so forcefully that he knocked over the coffee cup on the table.
05:26Stop touching things. I watched calmly as he frantically grabbed a napkin to wipe the coffee
05:31stain off the photo, moving with such care. I turned around and walked out of the office,
05:37without looking back. I was afraid that if I did, I wouldn't be able to stop myself from throwing up.
05:43That evening, I made Ethan's favorite dish, grilled ribeye steak. Lily sat in her high chair,
05:48watching me with curiosity. Mom, you're so happy today. I ruffled her hair, but didn't say a word.
05:53This was going to be our last meal with Ethan. Tonight was unusual. Ethan actually came home
05:59on time and for once, offered a compliment at the dinner table. The steak tastes great. Thanks
06:04for all your hard work. I looked down at my plate and didn't reply. After dinner,
06:09Ethan went to the balcony to take a call. Lily tugged at the hem of my shirt. Mommy, look.
06:13Daddy just smiled. He hasn't laughed at home in such a long, long time. I walked over to the glass
06:18door. His voice drifted into my ears on the night breeze. I've had the wedding dress altered.
06:23We'll go straight to the shop tomorrow to try it on. Ethan chuckled softly. Of course,
06:28it's the most expensive one. You're my only wife, and I want to give you the best. My heart clenched
06:33so hard it made me double over in pain. I turned the kitchen faucet on full blast. The rushing water
06:38drowned out my stifled sobs. Lily ran over, patted my back with her soft little hands. Don't cry,
06:43Mommy. Lily will protect you. I crouched down and held Lily tightly, tears streaming down my face.
06:49The next day was the fashion group's executive meeting. For this major show, I was leading the
06:53design of an entire eau couture collection. I went to the conference room, where all the
06:57executives and key designers were present. Ethan sat in the head seat, with Chloe beside him,
07:01looking every bit the mistress of the house. The meeting had barely begun when Ethan dropped a
07:05bombshell. For next month's annual fashion show, the credit and creative direction for the finale
07:10collection will be handed entirely over to Chloe. Everyone's eyes turned to me. Everyone knew that the
07:15collection called Nirvana was the result of three years of my work and countless all-nighters.
07:20It was the gift I had prepared to commemorate my seventh wedding anniversary with Ethan.
07:24I stood up, my gaze fixed intently on Ethan. Why? Chloe is younger, and her vision aligns better
07:30with today's market. Your designs are a bit too dull. Go to Paris to take a break.
07:37Chloe covered her mouth and giggled. Don't worry, Sophia. Ethan says I'm extremely talented.
07:42Leave this collection to me. I'll make it a huge success. A secretary who can't even tell the
07:47difference between fabric counts is talking to me about talent? I slammed the documents I was holding
07:52down on the table. Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you. After the meeting, I went to the restroom to
07:57splash some cold water on my face. The door swung open, and Chloe walked in. She came over to me.
08:03Sophia, I actually feel pretty sorry for you. She stopped pretending to be sweet, her face now brimming
08:08with the arrogance of a victor. Do you really think Ethan sees you as a little sister? He's been
08:13fed up with you for ages. All you ever do is ask for money. He's long grown tired of you.
08:18She
08:18deliberately adjusted her collar, revealed a generous fance of skin, and suggested marks.
08:22I'll let you in on a secret. Next week is my wedding to Ethan, the city's most exclusive hotel,
08:28one 999 white roses flown in from abroad. Just watch from Paris as I become Lisa Shaw in every sense
08:34of the word. I grabbed a tissue and dried my hands. Congratulations. I let all the venomous
08:40words Chloe had prepared get stuck in her throat and walked straight out of the restroom. She had
08:45no idea that the design sketches for the Nervala collection were only 80% complete. The most critical
08:50cutting techniques and measurements existed only in my head. When the big show starts, they'll have
08:56their moment to cry. Back home, I started packing. I took my design sketches and a few of Lily's old
09:02clothes. Ethan came home from work. Why are you bringing so much stuff?
09:09We're going to be gone for a while. Early on the morning of our departure, I held Lily's leash in
09:14my
09:14hand and watched Ethan putting on his suit jacket, making one last attempt to test the waters.
09:20Ethan, what if I don't want to go to Paris anymore? His hand paused as he tied his tie,
09:24and he turned to look at me. If I don't go to Paris and stay here with you, is that
09:29okay?
09:29A flicker of panic and irritation crossed Ethan's eyes. Sophia, what kind of tantrum are you throwing
09:34now? The flights and hotel were booked two weeks ago. He didn't even want to say another word. He
09:39just grabbed his car keys and headed for the door. Let's go. I'll drive you to the airport. When we
09:44arrived at the airport departer hall, Lily ran up to Ethan. Daddy, are you really not coming with us?
09:49Ethan gently stroked Lily's cheek. Daddy will come pick you up soon. Listen to mom while you're there.
09:55Feel free to use the money in the card. I looked at this face that I had loved for seven
09:59years,
10:00yet which had left me battered and bruised. Ethan, goodbye. We will never meet again.
10:06Unlock daily drama on love shots.
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