Chapter 4 Stranger

• apter 4 Stranger
• 804 words
• Avery almost thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. When the man appeared out of nowhere, her heart began to race wildly.
• At the same time, the man also noticed Avery standing in the center of the crowd.
• Their eyes locked, and for a moment, it felt like the whole world faded away, as if time itself had frozen.
• Ethan’s gaze stayed fixed on her face. There was a flicker of surprise in his eyes, but it quickly gave way to his usual composure.
• "Sweetheart," Emma quickly stepped forward, linking her arm with Ethan’s. "This is my dear friend Marry. We were just having some fun here, and everyone’s been waiting for you."
• Marry smiled and extended her hand to Ethan. "Hello, Ethan. It’s a pleasure to meet you."
• Lily leaned in and whispered in Avery’s ear, "This is the guy I told you about. He’s about to become my stepfather. Pretty handsome, right?"
• Stepfather?!
• The term hit Avery like a ton of bricks. Her body froze as she glanced at Lily, then shifted her gaze back to Ethan’s retreating figure.
• Meanwhile, Emma led Ethan to the front of the room, and with a clink of her fork against her wine glass, she called for everyone’s attention. "Could I have your attention, please? I have an announcement to make."
• Avery felt numb, as if she were walking through a fog. Lily pulled her along, and they ended up standing in front of Emma and Ethan, where Avery once again found herself face to face with the familiar yet unfamiliar man, this time holding Emma’s hand.
• "Actually, I have a surprise for everyone tonight," Emma began, her voice full of excitement. "Ethan and I are getting engaged!"
• Avery stood frozen, unable to process the words she had just heard.
• The rest of the guests clapped in congratulations, celebrating Emma and Ethan’s happiness. Lily even wiped away tears, moved by the announcement.
• Afterward, Emma and Ethan made their way over to Marry’s family. "I didn’t introduce everyone earlier," Emma said. "This is Marry, and this is her daughter, Avery."
• Marry smiled and greeted Ethan. "Actually, Avery is my ex-husband’s daughter. My biological daughter couldn’t make it tonight. And I’m sorry about Avery’s behavior earlier at your party—she was quite rude. In the future, please don’t invite her."
• Marry took pleasure in belittling Avery, even in front of someone she’d just met, like Ethan.
• But Ethan didn’t respond. He merely gave Avery a polite glance, offering a slight nod.
• His indifference was striking—he acted as if he didn’t even know Avery.
• Despite sharing a bed for an entire year, neither of them truly understood each other’s personalities or identities. Now, seeing Avery’s earlier outburst at the party and hearing Marry’s words, Ethan’s opinion of her had soured.
• "Let’s not dwell on this," Lily interjected quickly, stepping in front of Marry to address Ethan. "Stepdad, this is my best friend. She’s really not that bad once you get to know her."
• But Emma wasn’t about to let it go. As Marry’s friend and a witness to Avery’s confrontation with her, Emma spoke up.
• "Ethan, Marry’s right. Avery won’t be welcome at our parties from now on. And Lily, you should stop hanging out with someone like her."
• Marry, seeing that her friend Emma was backing her up, sneered at Avery. "Yeah, I don’t know what I did to deserve that. To think she hit me in front of so many people…"
• She even put on an exaggerated, pitiful expression, as though she were the one who’d been wronged.
• "Stop with the nonsense!"
• Avery, fed up, pushed past Marry, trying to leave.
• But Marry, wearing high heels, lost her balance and staggered backward, crashing into Emma.
• As Emma tumbled toward the floor, Ethan stepped forward and caught her effortlessly in his arms.
• Ethan frowned, his voice cold. "Please, don’t cause any more trouble at our party."
• Avery blinked, momentarily stunned by his chilling words.
• In Ethan’s arms, Emma—still shaken—was held gently at the waist, their body language intimate. They were about to get married…
• It seemed like everyone was turning against her now. Avery’s eyes flashed with anger. Without a word, she stormed over to a table filled with glasses and knocked it over, sending the cups flying.
• She then grabbed her jacket and purse from the door, preparing to leave.
• But as she reached the exit, a tall figure suddenly blocked her path.
• She looked up and saw Ethan’s eyes blazing with fury.
• "Don’t even think about moving," he said in a low, gravelly voice, his gaze fixed firmly on her, as though he intended to throw her out himself.
• Avery gave a cold laugh. "You’re blocking my way. Don’t tell me you can’t bear to let me go?"