Ethan Carter never showed up that night we were supposed to pick out my wedding dress. When I arrived at his office, the place was buzzing. "Congrats, Ethan! You won the case, and you won the girl!" "Yeah, after all these twists and turns, Chloe, your childhood sweetheart, is finally back by your side." "Ethan, does this mean your wedding with Jenna Miller is indefinitely postponed?" Ethan, surrounded by his colleagues, kept his eyes downcast, his voice chillingly cold. "Don't compare Jenna to Chloe. Chloe would die if I left her, but Jenna wouldn't." I stood outside the door, clutching the bottle of wine I'd made just for him, before dropping it into a nearby trash can. Ethan Carter, I have no use for a love that leaves me half-dead. As I walked out of the law firm, my phone vibrated with his call. His voice was low, laced with apology. "Moon, the firm's celebrating tonight. Can we postpone picking out the wedding dress?" I watched Chloe Davies walk into the firm and simply smiled. "Sure. No need to pick one." The man on the other end chuckled, sounding perfectly pleased. "Moon, you're so understanding. Pick whatever style you like, anything you love, I'll love too." I'd heard that line countless times. I used to believe it was trust, a boundless sense of security. Now, it felt like an endless mockery. Perhaps indifference was the only true freedom. I raised an eyebrow slightly. "Okay, I'll arrange everything." After hanging up, I canceled the wedding dress appointment. A weight lifted from my chest, yet I felt no trace of reluctance. I had never doubted my feelings for Ethan Carter. I truly believed we were deeply in love. Ethan and I met through winemaking. In the cellar, his perfect profile seemed to sweeten the very air. From that day on, my wine gained a new flavor—one called 'love.' I started chasing him with my wines. "Ethan Carter, I just made this. Want to try it?" "Ethan Carter, doesn't this smell amazing?" "Ethan Carter, do you like this flavor?" Every day, I flitted around him like a chirping little bird. Slowly, we started talking, drinking together. He tirelessly served as my winemaking guinea pig. And I, with equal devotion, became his escape from loneliness. Until that deafening, drunken declaration: "Ethan Carter, I like you." That ended our thirty days of unspoken. My love was always proactive, but Ethan was like a puppet. He mechanically agreed to all my requests, even when it came to affection. Yet, I happily believed this was unconditional favoritism. It wasn't until I saw Chloe Davies that I finally understood. Ethan Carter's time with me seemed to have been spent chasing her shadow. I was merely a fleeting distraction. Just as I was about to drive away, my phone buzzed incessantly with unfamiliar messages. "Hey Moon, Ethan's really busy right now. Could you send two bottles of wine over?" "Ethan specifically asked for the Memory's Embrace one." "He always tells me your wine is so much like me. Thank you for always making him remember me." Memory's Embrace. That was the wine Ethan and I had crafted together. I provided the skill, he provided the tasting. It took twenty tries before I finally earned his smile. After that, Ethan named it Memory's Embrace. What was thought of, never forgotten. I thought he was describing our love, so I treasured the wine. But I never imagined his childhood sweetheart had already surpassed everything. My hands trembled, too weak to reply. In that moment, I felt like a general defeated on the battlefield. Unable to return to the past, unable to move forward. But a voice deep inside me resonated with unwavering conviction. This one-sided love affair needs to end. It's time to wake up. Back in the cellar, I pulled out four bottles of Memory's Embrace. The production of Memory's Embrace was very low. Not because I didn't want to mass-produce it, but because Ethan wouldn't allow it. He said it was our exclusive wine, meant only for us, something he didn't want to share with anyone else. So, Memory's Embrace was only brought out on our anniversaries. We'd toast under the moonlight, our hearts full. We'd celebrate our love for each other. We'd promise 'forever and always.' His tears would trail down his cheek and onto my shoulder, over and over again. At the time, I joyfully believed he loved me to his core. Now, I understood he was just longing for another woman. Inside the private room, Ethan Carter was expertly deflecting drinks for Chloe Davies. He hadn't even noticed me standing at the door. His cheeks were flushed, a constant smile gracing his lips. This was the first time in three years I'd seen him like this. In that moment, Ethan Carter was joyous, fulfilled. There was none of the carefulness he always showed when he was with me. They complemented each other perfectly, completely oblivious to the teasing of their friends. "Well, well, well, let's congratulate Ethan on finally getting his true love!" "Yeah, he's finally not moping around like a lovesick puppy anymore!" "Chloe, you wouldn't believe it, when you got married, Ethan disappeared for a whole month. We were worried sick!" "Exactly! Good thing he met Jenna Miller back then, otherwise who knows what state he'd be in now." My name, like a needle, instantly chilled the atmosphere around them. I looked at the silent crowd, my heart yearning for Ethan's affirmation. I stared at him intently, as if by doing so, he would acknowledge our relationship. But persistence doesn't always yield answers. After a long moment, Ethan tightened his grip on Chloe's hand, then slowly, unhurriedly spoke. "Chloe is my true remedy." Suddenly, the whole room erupted in cheers. Chloe Davies had noticed me at the door long ago. Her arrogant gaze already proclaimed her victory. Knowing I wasn't welcome in such a boisterous scene, I signaled for a server to deliver the wine. "Mr. Carter, this is the wine you requested." The man, who had been smiling moments before, looked flustered for an instant when he saw me at the doorway. Just as Ethan was about to step towards me, Chloe unabashedly kissed him. Meeting his gaze, I chose to turn away. In that moment, I fled the battlefield. I was a coward in love. I didn't have the courage to reclaim what was mine in front of everyone. In the taxi, Chloe Davies's messages kept pinging. In the video. Ethan Carter, urged on by the crowd, grandly confessed his love to Chloe. He knelt before her, holding a bottle of Memory's Embrace. "Chloe, this is the wine I made for you. Do you like it?" "Chloe, this wine is my essence, and so are you." Ethan spoke with conviction, and Chloe's face flushed. Then, a message from Chloe popped up: "Jenna Miller, thank you for the wine you made for me. Ethan Carter was never yours. I hope you know your place." After three years, the lioness had reclaimed her territory. And for the other contender, it was either death or exile. Because none of this ever truly belonged to me. When I got home, memories invaded me like poison. Our matching slippers were neatly arranged, but Ethan's pair looked brand new. Our couple's mugs were brightly colored, but Ethan's was already dusty. Our matching pajamas swayed in the breeze, but Ethan's had never been worn. Ethan and my life was hollow, like two lines that intersected only to immediately run parallel again. We looked united, but our souls had long drifted apart. He never liked anything I prepared for him, yet for Chloe, he tacitly allowed it. Ethan Carter had never betrayed Chloe Davies; I was just an accidental detour. A phone call pulled me back to reality. The wedding photographer politely inquired. "Ms. Miller, I heard you canceled the wedding dress fitting. What about tomorrow's photo shoot?" I looked at the repeating images on my phone, my voice devoid of any lingering emotion. "Cancel everything." I was about to throw away all our paired items when Ethan's key in the lock made me freeze. Ethan's tense shoulders relaxed when he saw me. He took my hand, his smile incredibly gentle. "Thank you, Moon, for being so understanding." "I really liked the wine tonight, and Chloe did too." Seeing my silence, he patiently explained. "Chloe Davies, you know, we grew up together. We're like siblings. You're not jealous, are you?" "My Moon is so sweet, she would never be jealous." No sooner had he spoken than he leaned down and kissed my forehead. Ethan was always different when he was drunk. He was like a loyal dog. "Ethan Carter, say you love me." "Moon, I love you." "Ethan Carter, say you miss me." "Moon, I miss you." "Ethan Carter, call me your wife." "Moon, wife." All the words he couldn't utter when sober, he spoke without hesitation when drunk. I used to secretly delight in this for a long time. His tenderness, his thoughtfulness, his deep affection – I only truly had them under the influence of alcohol. Each time, I used repetitive questions to test my importance in his heart. Thankfully, I always got the answers I wanted. I filled my anxieties with this illusionary love. But now, I was tired of it. The dream needed to end. I clenched my hands, my voice firm as I spoke. "Ethan Carter, do you love Chloe Davies?" Without a moment's hesitation, Ethan blurted out. "Yes, Chloe, I love you." I staggered backward, step by step. This was the secret he had hidden for three years. "Ethan Carter, do you want to marry Chloe Davies?" At this, the man's eyes reddened, his lips trembling with an unspoken grievance. He stepped forward, pulled me into a tight embrace, and buried his face in my shoulder, pleading. "Yes... more than anything. I've dreamed of it." "Chloe, will you marry me?" Fueled by alcohol, Ethan had mistaken me for Chloe Davies. The high-and-mighty Attorney Carter, now begging so humbly. His indifference felt like a thousand knives, each one piercing my heart. I trembled with pain, with crushing disappointment. Yes, from the very beginning, had he ever truly loved me? I was just a shadow, and now his light had returned. The shadow should fade away. I didn't humiliate myself further or respond. In the vast room, only the ticking of the clock could be heard. I stood rooted to the spot, letting him lean heavily on me, letting his warmth spread over me. I had always craved his warmth. On cold winter nights, I would instinctively lean into him. In biting winds, I would tightly hold his hands and refuse to let go. But now, with a gentle breeze, a chill ran through me. I stood motionless until my feet grew numb, until his strength completely gave out. I forcefully pushed Ethan away, and he collapsed onto the sofa, falling into a deep sleep. That night, for the first time, we slept in separate beds. His snores echoed, while my tears flowed silently. The next morning, Ethan Carter's phone woke me up. "Attorney Carter, you and Chloe really moved fast! The wedding planner has been waiting forever, and Chloe's here too. Hurry up!" "Attorney Carter, what about your wedding with Ms. Miller? Should I notify them to cancel?" The wedding planner was someone Ethan had contacted himself previously. He had said that I was too busy planning the wedding alone and that he wanted to share the burden. At the time, I had smiled so happily, completely unaware that he was personally preparing this for Chloe Davies. Ethan's voice was barely a whisper. "Keep it down, don't let Moon hear." He quickly got up and rushed into the bedroom, our eyes meeting. All traces of awkwardness had vanished from Ethan's face. He walked towards me with a slight, low chuckle. "Moon, I'm so sorry I couldn't go wedding dress shopping with you yesterday." "Did you pick one out? Do you have pictures? My Moon looks beautiful in anything." He spoke, a polite pretense of concern, as he went through his morning routine. In reality, his mind was crystal clear. His concern for me was just a routine courtesy. His response to my choices was just polite acknowledgment. I watched him move around the room, huge dark circles under my eyes, until he was ready to leave, then I called out to him. "Ethan Carter, are you really willing to marry me?" A week ago, Ethan had proposed to me out of nowhere. There were no flowers, no diamond ring. "Moon, will you marry me?" I hadn't doubted him; I simply saw it as an unexpected joy in my life. My eyes filled with tears, and I nodded silently, again and again. "Moon, are you really willing to marry me?" Ethan had asked for reassurance multiple times, and I had answered firmly, "Yes." But I had never asked him if he was willing to marry me. I wanted an answer that would utterly crush my hope, once and for all. Ethan's hurried steps hung suspended in the air. Three seconds later, he offered comfort in an incredibly gentle tone. "What's wrong? Are you unhappy about planning the wedding?" "It's okay if you can't get the wedding wine right away, don't put too much pressure on yourself." "Good girl, the firm has something urgent. We can talk about it tonight, okay?" I still pressed on, unwilling to give up. "But we arranged to take our wedding photos today." Ethan never liked my stubbornness. What he said wouldn't change, and I couldn't change it. A ripple crossed the man's calm face, and his voice began to show impatience. "Didn't I tell you the firm has something urgent? Jenna Miller, what is wrong with you today?" "If you don't want to go, just go take them yourself. Leave a blank space and I'll just be Photoshopped in later." "And, forget about the invitations for now. The firm just landed a big case, so let's just go get our marriage license first." No sooner had he spoken than the man left without looking back. Overnight, Ethan Carter was like a stranger had taken over his body. He felt like a dream I'd had. I no longer recognized the man I had loved for three years. Through the window, I saw his frantic silhouette for the first time. So this was the pace someone takes when rushing to meet the person they truly desire. In that moment, I knew for certain that Ethan Carter no longer loved me. In the days that followed, he was always out early and back late. It was through Chloe Davies's social media that I learned. In three days, they had completed three years of my plans. Day one: they picked out wedding dresses together. Day two: they took their photos together. Day three: they finished writing the invitations together. And I completely gave up on everything to do with Ethan Carter. Day one: I rented out the vineyard. Day two: I sold all my wine. Day three: I packed my bags, alone. Day four: It was the day of Ethan Carter and Chloe Davies's wedding. And it was the day for me to wisely leave. At four in the morning, Ethan rushed out, citing a court appearance. My sleepy eyes caught him. "Ethan Carter, this is a new wine I made. I wish you all the best." Since I was leaving, a dignified farewell was the best outcome. We met over wine, so let it end with wine. Ethan paused, then smiled and agreed. "Okay, when this busy period is over, we'll drink it together." I lowered my head, looking at my curled toes. "Take it with you. If you win the case, consider it a victory toast." Ethan looked at my unusual behavior with a puzzled expression. He knew I always trusted him unconditionally. So, he knew I wouldn't find out he was getting married today. At that moment, he naturally couldn't be bothered with me. His bride was eagerly awaiting him; how could he bear to make her wait? He gently patted my head and disappeared into the night. At the wedding venue, Chloe Davies immediately spotted my wine. "Ethan, can I use this bottle for our toast?" "You know I'm not a big drinker, but Jenna's wine is always so sweet, perfect for today, don't you think?" Ethan couldn't bear to refuse, so he immediately poured the wine. But the moment he tasted it, he froze. The wine glass slipped from his hand and shattered. He tore off the celebratory boutonniere and started to leave. Just as I was about to board the plane, my phone suddenly rang. Caller ID – Ethan Carter.
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