Chapter 4 

I knew I was going to fall. 

But still, I kept climbing, hoping that if I just held on a little longer, I might reach the summit. 

The next morning, Ethan was gone. 

On the pillow next to me, he’d left a bracelet. 

There was also a note: “Happy Valentine’s Day.” 

So this was his Valentine’s gift? 

Ethan Brooks was infuriating. 

Always like this–cold, distant, pulling me in just when I was ready to let go. 

Like when I’d cut myself cooking, and he’d scold me for being careless. 

But then, he’d fetch the first aid kit and carefully bandage the wound. 

He’d look at the heart–shaped meals I spent hours making, call them “ugly,” but eat every last bite 

anyway. 

Whenever I told my best friend these stories, she’d roll her eyes and say. 

“You’re such a doormat. Honestly, it’s kind of impressive how much nonsense you can put up with.” 

And maybe she was right. 

I admired my own ability to bounce back every time. 

The next day, I asked, “Ethan, want to grab dinner?” 

“I already ate,” he replied flatly. 

I was surprised. 

Ethan was always so consumed with experiments he’d forget to eat, which was why I often brought 

food to coax him into it. 

08:59 

My Ex Won’t Stop Chasing Me! 

Chapter 4 

“Oh, 1 just brought him dinner? Läla piped up from westry, muflending to en mangey bura6/17. 

Her tone was casual, but there was something in it that stuff were be 

She liked him. 

But I knew Ethan wasn’t the type to cheat. 

If he liked her, he’d break up with me first. 

I didn’t understand their experiments, so 1 sat quietly in the corner, watchdog, 

My thoughts drifted to the day than finally agreed to date me. 

It was my 99th confession. 

I’d already told myself it would be the last. 

If he rejected me again, I’d walk away, 

But to my shock, he said yes. 

I stood there, frozen, replaying his words in my head, convinced I’d imagined it 

Later, I found out he’d only agreed because his family was pressuring him to go on a blind date, an he’d used me as an excuse. 

When my best friend called, I was making chicken soup for Ethan. 

“Are you insane, Holly? Do you know how rare this opportunity is? Why on earth would you turn it down?” 

She was furious. 

“Let me guess–it’s because of Ethan, isn’t it? I don’t mind you dating, but you can’t throw away your future for a guy!” 

08.59