He Humiliated Me Until He Learned Who My Father Was Chapter 02
The Night He Chose Her
Vanessa doesn’t show the photo immediately.
Instead, one of Ethan’s coworkers asks what kind of lawyer makes over three hundred thousand dollars a year.
Before I can answer, Vanessa laughs.
“The kind with very generous clients.”
Several men exchange looks.
Ethan slams his glass down.
“Watch your mouth.”
Vanessa pouts.
“Why are you getting mad at me? I’m defending you. I’d be worried too if my girlfriend suddenly claimed she made four times my salary.”
Ethan goes still.
I wish she hadn’t said that.
Not because I’m embarrassed by what I earn.
Because I know Ethan is.
Before the argument can go further, someone announces the next party game: everyone has to share the craziest thing they’ve ever done for a friend.
Vanessa immediately raises her hand.
“I’ve got one.”
She grins at Ethan.
“Remember when I got wasted at Lauren’s birthday party?”
Ethan groans. “Don’t.”
“You drove three hours back to the city because I called you crying.”
The table erupts.
“Three hours?”
“That’s dedication.”
Vanessa beams.
“He stayed with me all night because I was throwing up. He even made me breakfast the next morning.”
Everyone laughs.
I don’t hear the rest.
Because I remember that night.
I had been driving home when another car ran a red light and hit me.
My car spun across the intersection.
The driver’s side door crumpled.
There was blood running down my face when the paramedics pulled me out.
I called Ethan from the ambulance.
When he finally answered, he told me he was out of town and couldn’t get back.
I spent the night alone in the ER.
The next morning, he arrived with flowers and held me while I cried.
He said he’d hated himself for not being there.
Apparently, he had been there.
Just not for me.
“Ethan.” He looks at me.
“What date was that?” His face changes.
Vanessa answers first.
“Last October. Why?” I stare at him.
He remembers. I can see it.
“Avery, I can explain.”
Vanessa rolls her eyes.
“Oh my God. Are you seriously jealous over something from months ago?”
I ignore her.
“You told me you couldn’t get back.”
“It wasn’t like that.”
“I was in an ambulance.”
“Vanessa was drunk and alone.”
He actually said it.
As if that explains everything.
Vanessa sighs.
“You’re being dramatic. He was just helping a friend.”
Then she unlocks her phone.
“Anyway, since we’re digging up the past…”
She turns the screen toward everyone.
“I found this earlier.”
Two photos appear side by side.
The woman on the right is me.
The woman on the left with completely different eyes, a wider nose, and a heavy jaw.
Someone gasps.
Vanessa smiles.
“Avery before and after plastic surgery.”
Ethan takes the phone from her.
I stare at the woman in the photograph.
I’ve never seen her in my life.