---- Chapter 7 At first, when Ethan and Chloe were openly affectionate, there'd be a slight hesitation if | walked into the room, a brief flicker of awareness. That disappeared quickly. Soon, they were cuddling on the sofa in the Carter family living room, sharing knowing smiles over dinner, completely oblivious, or perhaps indifferent, to my presence. It was as if | were a piece of furniture. Ethan, unblocked now because Liam had insisted for "family communication," still sent me texts. Ethan: Don't mind us. Just keeping Chloe happy. You know the drill. This act is almost over. His delusion was astounding. He truly believed | was still playing along, still waiting in the wings. | ignored his messages. | was busy. Silently, resolutely, | was preparing for my wedding. My real wedding. To Liam. Invitations were being designed - simple, elegant, with our names: Ava Miller & Liam Carter. We'd finalized the guest list. My dress fitting was next week. Chloe, meanwhile, was on cloud nine. She cornered me one afternoon, bubbling with excitement. "Ava! You won't believe it! Ethan is planning to propose! Properly, | mean! He's been dropping all these hints! He said he wants to take me somewhere incredibly romantic next week, a place with a lot of history for us!" ---- Her eyes shone. "He even asked my ring size again, just to be sure! He's planning something big, | just know it!" | thought of my own proposal from Ethan. It had been casual, almost an afterthought, over takeout pizza in our old apartment. No grand gestures, no romantic setting. At the time, I'd told myself it was because he wasn't the "showy" type. Now | knew the truth. He wasn't showy with me because his love for me hadn't merited the effort. With Chloe, he was pulling out all the stops "That's... wonderful, Chloe," | managed, a bitter taste in my mouth. "And your wedding with Liam!" she continued, oblivious. "How are the plans coming? You must be so excited! We can compare notes!" | smiled faintly. "Everything is on track." | pulled out my tablet. "Actually, | was just looking at some mock-ups from the florist and the venue." | showed her a video montage Liam's assistant had put together. The stunning conservatory at the Botanical Garden, dripping with flowers. Close-ups of the intricate lace on my wedding gown. The elegant design of the invitations. The string quartet we'd booked. It was lavish. Meticulously planned. Understatedly luxurious. Everything Ethan's proposal to me had not been. Everything Liam was, quietly, doing for me. Chloe's eyes widened. "Oh, Ava! It's... breathtaking! Liam is really going all out! He must love you so much!" ---- The irony was thick enough to cut with a knife. "He's a wonderful man," | said, my voice sincere. "When is he back from his preservation conference in Kyoto?" Chloe asked. "He flies in on the 15th," | said. "Our wedding is the 17th." Just then, Ethan walked in. He looked from Chloe's excited face to my tablet, then to me. A flicker of unease crossed his features. "What's all this?" he asked. "Ava was just showing me her wedding plans! They're incredible!" Chloe gushed. Ethan's eyes narrowed at me. "Getting a little too into character, aren't we, Ava?" he said, his voice low, a warning edge to it. He still thought this was all part of his charade. | just smiled. "Just making sure Chloe believes it, Ethan. Like you asked." He gritted his teeth, but Chloe was beaming, so he forced a smile. "Right. Well, come on, sweetie. We have reservations." He led Chloe out, still looking back at me with a mixture of suspicion and annoyance. He was losing control of the narrative, and he didn't like it. The following week, Chloe was a bundle of nerves and excitement. "Tonight's the night, Ava!" she whispered to me when we were alone fora moment at the Carter mansion. "Ethan's taking me to the St. Regis. The King Cole Bar. That's where he first told me he loved me, all those years ago!" ---- Her hands were trembling. "I think he's going to propose!" Later that evening, my phone buzzed. It was a picture from Chloe. Her hand, artfully arranged, a large, glittering diamond ring on her finger. Ethan's hand holding hers. The caption: "He asked! | said YES!!! Mrs. Carter-to-be! (Again! &) #Engaged #TrueLoveNeverDies @EthanCarter" Ethan Carter, my ex-fiancé, was now officially engaged to Chloe Davis.