Breaking up with Victor wasn’t as easy as I thought.
After all, our families had already set everything in stone–engagement confirmed, wedding banquet arranged.
Victor refused to let go.
Every day, he showed up at my house, begging for reconciliation.
Dad tried to have him thrown out, but no matter what, Victor just wouldn’t leave.
One time, it was pouring rain, and he stood at our gate, soaked to the bone, shouting:
‘Jennie! If you don’t come out, I’ll wait for you here in the rain all night!”
I turned to my dad and said, “Has he been watching too many dramas? Who’s he performing for?”
Dad told me to go on a trip to clear my head. He’d take care of everything.
‘Once I’ve settled the breakup, I’ll call you back.”
Then he added, “I don’t feel comfortable letting you go alone, so I’ll have the Jensen puppy go with you. I’ve already arranged your itinerary.”
frowned. “Dad, he has a name. It’s Ethan.”
Sure, Ethan could joke about himself, but when others called him puppy, I felt bad for him.
Dad gave me a look. “You really don’t like him? If you can tame this puppy and have him following you around, wagging his tail, I’ll have something to brag about in front of Elliot for the rest of my life. Think about it, sweetheart.”
ignored him.
As if I’d sacrifice my happiness for his ego.
Dad sighed and started playing the sympathy card.
‘You have no idea how pitiful that kid is. After Elliot remarried, he had another son. A miracle baby at his age–you can imagine how much he treasures him. If Ethan doesn’t have a powerful father–in–law backing him up, he won’t even get a chance to step into the Jensen Group. He’ll just end up painting all day like some idle rich kid. And if Elliot ever kicks the bucket, who knows how much inheritance Ethan will even get? His stepmother might just throw him out, and you’ve heard how ugly those rich family inheritance battles can get.”
I asked, “And you think with your support, he’ll get into the company?”
Dad smirked. “Of course. If we arrange a strategic marriage and merge our interests, I’ll make sure any project we collaborate on must include my son–in–law. Otherwise, I won’t sign off on it. That way, he’ll get a foot in the door. As long as he doesn’t screw up and proves himself, the shareholders will see his worth. Then what’s, there to fear from his stepmom and half–brother?”
Dad stroked his chin and muttered, “Though to be honest, that kid doesn’t seem like dead weight. Once he sets his mind on something, you couldn’t drag him away with ten bulls. And when he rises to the top, I won’t have to put up with Elliot anymore. My dear son–in–law will be my personal business partner. Hahaha, that’ll be so nice!”
I was speechless.
Dad needed to go to bed and dream about his perfect future.
In the end, I refused Ethan’s company and set off on my trip alone.
But I didn’t expect to keep bumping into him.
Everywhere I went, Ethan coincidentally showed up.
Always holding a coffee, smirking at me with that mischievous glint in his eyes.
‘Tsk tsk, Jennie, you don’t keep your word.”
‘But that’s okay. You run, I chase. Jennie, you can’t escape.”
At first, I ignored him. Thought he was just being bitchy and crazy.
f anyone else said those cheesy pickup lines, I’d get full–body goosebumps.
But somehow, paired with Ethan’s lean face, it didn’t feel that bad.
Still, I didn’t want to jump into another mess just because of a failed relationship.
But Ethan played too well.
He took me skiing. Brought me to see the northern lights. Took stunning photos of me.
Even in unfamiliar cities, he found the best hidden food spots and dragged me along to try them.
Who could resist a clingy, fun–loving Ethan?
I’d always lacked company since I was a kid.
I feared loneliness the most.
And I had no defense against such a passionate, persistent pursuit.
Ethan even provoked me on purpose.
“What are you afraid of, Jennie?”
“The old man cheated 37 times, and you haven’t even ‘cheated‘ for 37 days.”
Then I heard from my friends–Victor was searching for me.
But Ethan had him running in circles.
Every day, Ethan sent Victor anonymous photos to mess with him.
Like:
‘Jennie and I went skiing today. Cry at home, loser!”
‘Lonely without Jennie? Must be miserable tonight, huh?”
Victor tried to track my location based on the backgrounds.
But Ethan never sent photos from that day.
Sometimes, he used pictures from a few days ago. Other times, he scrambled the timeline.
Victor flew all over the place, but never once found me.
asked Ethan, “Don’t you get bored?”
Ethan grinned, mischievous as ever.
‘Bored? Nah.”
‘Isn’t this fun, Jennie?”
