Ethan's p.o.v

The class ended and I didn't even realize it has. I smiled as I stared at the bracelet on my wrist. It was given to me by Freya as a gift on our first date together at the beach. I had wanted to hang out with her and spend some more time together —far from anyone's reach—just both of us and what she loves doing—watching the sunset.

Even though she isn't from a wealthy or rich background, she always find a way of getting me gifts and me, same. Exchanging gifts was my love language and being closer to her was hers. Throughout, my stay with her, Freya never asked for a dime or even try to borrow from me. Sometimes I feel guilty and mad that she doesn't, when infact I am capable. I had to plead with her to get the phone gift I had bought for her the other time.

Just being with her was all that matters and I knew I had to create time for that with her.

My hand played subconsciously with the bracelet and I chuckled at the flashback of my times with Freya. How her captivating smile and almond eyes got be smitten for the first time. I wonder how well she must be faring.

God! I need to write her a letter or something.

I regret not saving her number somewhere in my journal or diary after my phone got lost somewhere at the airport the other time. Every attempt of trying to reach her had proven abortive and I know she must be thinking of me as a liar, especially after what I had done.

Truly, nothing can justify my action towards her the other time before leaving the mansion.

But it has to be done.

I feel guilty each day since I left for breaking her heart and I wish I could turn back the hands of time. But here I am already. Engaged to the most narcissist and controlling woman I have ever known while my father's empire flourishes. It has always been this way—business.

But it's OK.

As long as it keeps my father happy. It doesn't matter if I'm happy or not about the decision. For the Slade's, like my father always say, business comes before emotions.

It's always business first!

I clenched my jaw in suppressed anger as Jane strode forward from the classroom door. Thankfully, everyone is gone and maybe her making a scene now wouldn't be much of a problem or embarrassment for me.

"Hey, honey," she greeted, air kissing me by the cheek. "How did class go today?"

"Fine," I blurted out, shoving my books inside my bag.

Jane arched her brow in annoyance. "What is this, Ethan? Are you mad at me or something?"

"Shall we?" I replied her, throwing her question to the wind. "Let's just go come , OK..."

"No, we can't. You can't just sit there and start acting all up at me and then tell me to go home with you. Where are your manners, Ethan Slade?" Jane cut me off, spilling every word proudly.

She reminds me so much of Martha—proud and arrogant.

"Fine. I'm sorry I bursted out at you. But can we leave now?"

Jane grinned. "That's more like it. You don't want me calling my father about putting his partnership on hold with your father do you?" she smirked. "But no, I won't do that. We have a wedding to plan ahead of. Besides, I can't wait to make cute babies with you, Ethan. God! Those eyes."

I gazed daggers at Jane knowing it will be over my dead body to even think of having a child with her. Yes, we have been intimate a couple of times, but all of which were influenced by Freya's thought. Her face was all I see each time I get laid with Jane.

"That's enough, Jane," I snapped at her. "Let's just leave now."

"Of course. You wouldn't want your father going bankrupt would you?"Jane threw me a lone key and I caught it before it could land on my body. "You're driving. I'm way too tired for that shit right now."

~~

We arrived at our apartment and Jane went ahead. I checked the mailbox outside and discovered that I've got mail.

"Freya?" my excitement piqued as Freya's name appeared on the letter.

I hid the letter inside my bag and went straight up to my room. I locked the door from inside and settled on the bed.

I opened the letter to receive the greatest and unexpected shock of my life—a picture and a letter.

The picture was an image of Freya at the beach with another guy and the letter, I wish I never read or open.

"Really, Freya?" my fingers tightened hard on the letter as I read through it. "This is what you want?"

I crumpled the paper in my fist, my anger boiling over, and then hurled it into the trash bin by the nightstand.

So be it!

I turned on the shower in the bathroom and let the scalding water wash away my tears. I stand under the stream, feeling the heat seep into my skin, but it can't penetrate the numbness that has settled in my chest. My mind feels like a jumble of emotions— anger, sadness, and shock— as I try to process the message I had received from Freya.

The water pounds against my skin, a restless drumbeat that echoes the turmoil brewing inside me.

I let out a deep breath, and the sound mixed with the rushing water, a primal scream that's muffled by the shower's roar. My fists clench, and I thump them repeatedly against the wall in anger until my knuckles ache and my fingers felt numb and bruised.

Still, that didn't reflect the actual anguish inside of me. My Freya is gone. She's gone and it was all my fault.

How could she even think of watching the sunset with another man aside me?

I raked my hair backward as the water continues to cascade down, and a sense of emptiness wash over me. I slide down to the floor, sitting under the stream, and let the water drown out my sobs.

The world outside seems to fade away and all that's left is the sound of the water, my ragged breathing, and the crushing weight of my pain.

~~

"I knew from the start that girl would be up to no good," Drake said as we settle on the stools at a bar. I needed to clear my head and I don't think Jane can be someone I could do that with. Obviously not.

"I don't know Drake. It felt like our minds were both in sync when I saw that letter. I mean, I had wanted to write her a letter after I got back home from school that day. I obviously messed up by not even trying to reach out to her since I got back, but to think she'd just let all that we had slip away just like that was just...way too much for me to comprehend. And she just has to make it worse with that letter."

"Listen, man. You need to forget about that girl, Ethan. It's obvious she's doesn't want to have anything to do with you anymore. And honestly, sometimes I wonder what you were doing with such girl from the start when you have a girl like Jane. People would kill to have a girl like Jane by their side— beauty, money, fame, connections, you name it. Compared to that low-life of a girl!"

For the first time in my life, I felt my eyes brim with tears over a girl. A girl I was gullible enough to trust and fall madly in love with.

"Bottoms up,"Drake raised a shot to propose a toast. "To a new chapter. A new beginning with Jane and moving on."