Chapter 3

The paparazzi, always swarming Ethan, noticed the interaction.

Cameras flashed, microphones appeared.

Brittany preened, loving the attention.

"Ethan, honey, isn't this that girl who used to follow you around in college?" she said, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Still looks like she hasn't bought a new outfit since."

Laughter rippled through the nearby fans.

My face burned.

Ethan played along, a smirk on his face.

"Oh, right. Sarah. Still around, huh?"

He made it sound like I was a persistent stray.

"Still hoping for an autograph?"

More laughter.

Brittany leaned into him, her voice dripping with malice.

"You know, Ethan, if she behaves herself, maybe you could keep her on the side. A little charity case."

Her eyes gleamed with triumph, enjoying my public humiliation.

Something inside me snapped.

The years of quiet dignity, of building a new life, couldn't withstand this fresh, brutal assault.

"Actually," I said, my voice surprisingly steady, "I'm married."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Oh really? To who? Someone who can finally afford to buy you a decent coat?"

Brittany shrieked with laughter.

"Don't tell me you tricked some poor local fisherman, Sarah."

The crowd around them was eating it up.

"My husband," I said, looking Ethan directly in the eye, "is Alexander Sterling."