The night after party

The party was already in full swing by the time Ethan stepped downstairs.

The lights shimmered gold across the wide living room, laughter filled the air, and the sound of music pulsed softly from hidden speakers. Everyone was dressed to impress—Nathan, Julian, and the rest of Ethan’s friends were gathered near the bar, chatting and sipping champagne.

But when Ethan appeared, silence fell for a moment. All eyes turned toward him.

“Finally, the man of the house shows up,” Nathan teased, raising his glass. “We thought you weren’t coming, man.”

Chloe, who stood beside Ethan in a glittering red dress, smiled proudly. “He wouldn’t miss my party for the world.”

Her tone was sweet but possessive, and Ethan forced a polite smile in return. “Yeah… wouldn’t miss it.”

He could feel the sting in his chest—the echo of Mira’s name still burning in his mind. But he hid it behind a calm expression as he walked deeper into the room.

Nathan looked around, noticing someone’s absence. “Hey, where’s Mira? I thought she’d be here too.”

The question made Ethan’s smile tighten.

Chloe’s hand subtly brushed his arm, silently warning him not to lose his cool. But Ethan still answered, his voice dry. “She’s throwing tantrums again. Probably hiding somewhere—God knows where.”

Nathan raised an eyebrow. “Tantrums? Dude, you two still fighting?”

Ethan chuckled bitterly and took a long sip from his drink. “Fighting? Nah. She just doesn’t understand how good she had it.”

Julian laughed lightly, trying to diffuse the tension. “Man, you always said she had a temper. Maybe she just needs some space.”

“Space?” Ethan scoffed. “She’s had enough space. Maybe too much.”

His words were sharp enough to make Chloe’s smile falter. But she quickly leaned closer, resting her hand on his chest. “Well, she’s not here tonight. So let’s just enjoy, hmm? It’s my day after all.”

Ethan looked down at her for a moment, his eyes unreadable. Then he gave a stiff nod. “Right. Your day.”

The night dragged on with music, dancing, and laughter. Chloe mingled with her guests, playing the perfect hostess, while Ethan kept drinking—glass after glass. Every swallow made the edges of his anger blur, but the thoughts of Mira wouldn’t leave his mind.

Every time someone mentioned her name, his grip on the glass tightened.

She blocked me. She divorced me. She left me.

By midnight, most of the guests had gone home. Only a few of Ethan’s close friends lingered outside, finishing the last of their drinks before heading out. Chloe stood at the door, smiling sweetly as she waved them goodbye.

“Goodnight, everyone! Thank you for coming!” she said, her voice dripping with charm.

When she closed the door, the house went quiet—too quiet.

Ethan was sitting on the couch, his head leaning back, eyes half-open. The empty bottle of whiskey sat on the table beside him, another glass half full in his hand. His shirt was half-unbuttoned, his hair messy, and his tie hung loose around his neck.

“Ethan,” Chloe called softly, walking over to him. “Hey, you drank too much.”

He didn’t respond. His eyes stared blankly at the ceiling.

She smiled a little, kneeling beside him. “Let’s get you to bed, okay?”

She slid her arm around him, helping him up. He stumbled slightly, his weight heavy on her shoulder. They made their way down the hall toward the bedroom.

When she pushed the door open, the room was dim and quiet. The soft light from the lamp painted everything gold.

Chloe guided him to the bed and sat him down. “There,” she whispered. “You need to rest.”

But as she started to unbutton his shirt, Ethan’s lips moved faintly.

“Mira…”

Chloe froze. “What?”

Ethan’s eyes fluttered half open. He reached out clumsily, brushing her cheek. “Mira… you came back…”

Her heart stopped for a moment—then her expression twisted with irritation.

“Ethan,” she said through gritted teeth, “I’m not Mira. It’s me—Chloe.”

But Ethan didn’t seem to hear her. His voice was low, soft, broken. “Mira… don’t go…”

Chloe’s jaw clenched. She wanted to scream at him, to shake him until he remembered who she was. But instead, she forced a sweet smile and leaned closer.

“Fine,” she whispered under her breath. “If that’s who you want… then I’ll be her tonight.”

She climbed onto the bed, straddling his lap, her hands sliding up his chest. Ethan blinked slowly, still trapped in his haze.

“Mira…” he whispered again.

Chloe’s smile faltered. She kissed him, desperate, pressing her lips against his. For a second, he didn’t respond—then he pushed her back roughly.

She gasped, falling to the side. “Ethan! What is wrong with you?”

He stared at her—confused, angry, lost. “You’re not her…”

“I told you, I’m Chloe!” she snapped, tears of frustration welling in her eyes. “Why can’t you see that she doesn’t love you anymore? She left you, Ethan! She divorced you!”

But Ethan wasn’t listening. He stood up, swaying slightly, his voice low and dangerous. “She’ll come back. She has to.”

Chloe stared at him, her chest rising and falling rapidly. For the first time, she saw it clearly—the obsession in his eyes. The madness Mira had planted there without even trying.

And it terrified her.

But she wasn’t ready to give up. Not yet.

Chloe stood and walked up to him, placing her hands gently on his chest. “Ethan,” she whispered, “I’m here. I’ve always been here. You don’t need her.”

He looked down at her, expression unreadable.

Then he turned away, muttering, “Go to bed, Chloe.”

Her eyes widened. “Ethan—”

“Go to bed!” he shouted, slamming his hand against the wall.

The sound echoed through the room, sharp and final.

Chloe flinched, tears filling her eyes again—this time real ones. She bit her lip hard, swallowing her pride. “Fine,” she whispered, turning away. “But don’t expect me to wait forever.”

She walked out, heels clicking angrily against the marble floor, leaving Ethan standing alone in the dark.

He sank back onto the bed, staring blankly at the crumpled divorce papers lying on the nightstand.

His hands shook as he reached for them, his voice a low whisper.

“You think it’s over, Mira?” he murmured. “It’s never over.”