Back Off, You Cheating Ex Wife!

Chapter 5

Ethan did not sit down.

Jack's smile grew even brighter. He slowly and exaggeratedly raised his glass, gesturing toward Ethan.

"Ethan, I'm glad you decided to come." He swirled the bottle of Margaux in his hand as if it were his own selection. "To be honest, after what just happened, I wasn't sure Vivian would still want you here. But she is that generous. You should at least show some gratitude.”

Vivian tilted her head, a barely noticeable smile curling at the corner of her mouth. She clinked her glass with Jack's.

"He understands me," she said. Her tone was calm, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Jack's lips curled up. "It always has been."

Ethan's hand gripped the back of the chair tightly. Every fiber of his being was screaming at him to get up, flip the table, and smash this dinner. Then turn around, close the door, and never look back, leaving this scumbag couple screaming in chaos.

But David's voice pierced through the noise in his mind.

"Go spend time with your family." Say whatever you want.

He gritted his teeth. He would endure this shameless provocation one last time because he didn't want his final moments with Vivian to end in fighting and arguing.

He pulled out a chair and sat down.

Vivian’s and Jack's faces showed even more intense expressions of delight.

Dinner continued without Ethan's participation. No one poured him a drink. Jack and Vivian were talking and looking at him as if Ethan were a clown providing entertainment.

"—And the south-facing room gets the best light in the morning," Jack said, gesturing with his fork. "I plan to set up a little reading nook by the window. Maybe we could install some built-in bookshelves."

Vivian leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "You've already thought about this."

"I remember everything about you."

Ethan's jaw stiffened, his fingers pressing tightly on the tablecloth.

Jack suddenly turned to him, raised his glass again—this time higher and with more determination.

"Ethan, I really appreciate you letting me move in. I'll do my best to adapt to our...living together as a trio."

That provocative atmosphere hung in the air like smoke.

Ethan's jaw stiffened, remaining motionless, with no reaction.

Vivian's voice pierced through the silence, sharp and contemptuous. "Don't waste your kindness on him, Jack."

She turned around, gave Jack a warm smile, and eagerly began telling a story about the gallery opening. Jack smiled and leaned closer to her. The two continued to chat and laugh, as if Ethan didn't exist at all.

Ethan's fingers slowly curled at his side.

A clear thought suddenly flashed through his mind—a cold, terrifying awakening.

He looked up at Vivian. "Who arranged my seat?"

Vivian's laughter abruptly stopped, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face.

"Not you, right?" Ethan's voice was flat and indifferent. "Because you don't want to see me at all."

She squinted her eyes. "Of course it's not me. Why would I save a seat for you?" With a mocking smile, she gestured toward Jack. "Jack kindly made room for you. You should thank him and apologize for your rudeness earlier."

Jack said nothing, but his smile grew even more smug.

Ethan chuckled softly, his tone devoid of any humor. "Apologize."

He repeated the word over and over, as if he had tasted poison.

"Yeah, hurry up."

His voice became exceptionally cold; Vivian had never heard him speak like this before. "I've had enough; I've really had enough."

Vivian clearly saw it as a provocation; her smile vanished, and her eyes turned cold. "Then do whatever you want, Ethan."

She turned to Jack and said, her tone becoming light again. "Anyway, the curator said—"

"I came here tonight just to tell you one thing, something that concerns the rest of my life!" Ethan's voice, sharp as a blade, interrupted her words.

Vivian continued speaking, her voice growing louder, and she responded to Jack's words with a smile.

"Vivian, although our relationship ended in this way, I want to tell you that I am going back to being a doctor without borders. I will be going abroad for a mission tomorrow."

She ignored him.

"Vivian, this mission is very dangerous. There's no signal, nothing at all. Today might be our last meeting."

Still, she remained motionless. She took a sip of her drink, her gaze fixed firmly on Jack.

Ethan's voice rose. "Vivian! Can you hear me? Vivian?! Vivian, I said I might die tomorrow!!!"

She slammed the glass onto the ground, seething with anger. "You're still bothering me and Jack? Let me tell you, unless you apologize, I won't listen to a word. Not a single word!"

Ethan stared at her blankly for a while. Staring at the woman he once loved. Staring at the woman for whom he gave up his dreams. Staring at the woman who spent five years turning him into a ghost in her life.

Then, something deep within him shattered.

He suddenly rushed forward and flipped the table.

"Stop fucking eating!"