Because I Was an and He Threw Away 17

Chapter 17 She’s Outstanding 

A forced relationship was never sweet. 

Besides, Emily didn’t have the power to keep this marriage afloat anyway. 

Lucky Draw 

Even if she never brought up divorce, Ethan would’ve filed for it once she had a second child. 

But she refused to be a breeding tool. She was done being a caged bird. 

Aaron watched Emily’s tears fall, his heart twisting. 

He wiped them away gently, not sure what else to do but offer quiet comfort. 

After Sophia ran onto the stage, Ethan didn’t follow right away. Instead, he glanced to the side. 

He saw Aaron brushing Emily’s tears. They stood so close that from his angle, it looked like they were pressed together. 

Just then, Nancy emerged, changed out of her 

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Ethan turned to her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. 

“Mm.” 

“Want to grab dinner?” Nancy suggested. 

Ethan smiled and agreed. “Sure.” 

Sophia tugged his arm. “Daddy, I want barbecue!” 

Nancy tapped her nose playfully. “You little foodie.” 

Outside the concert hall, Emily let the cold wind hit her face until the tightness in her chest eased. 

They abandoned her, not the other way around. She had no reason to feel guilty. 

Aaron noticed she’d calmed down. “Want to get dinner together?” 

Emily thought for a second, then nodded. “Yeah, why not?” 

She was hungry, and it would’ve been rude to turn him down. 2/9 

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six people—including Ethan, Sophia, and Nancy. 

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Ethan and Sophia had their backs to the entrance, so they didn’t see her. 

Nancy sat on Ethan’s right, facing away from the door 

too. 

Across from Ethan were two guys and a woman. 

Emily recognized the guys, Andrew Robinson and Shawn Lewis. But she didn’t know the woman. 

In elite circles, men cycled through companions often. Even married ones brought different women to events. 

As for Ethan? Nancy was his plus–one to everything, big 

or small. 

Everyone in his circle knew Nancy. But barely anyone knew Ethan’s wife was Emily. 

Aaron followed her in and noticed she’d stopped. “Everything okay?” 

Then he spotted Ethan’s group. 

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But Emily didn’t move. She squeezed his hand firmly, her voice steady. “It’s fine. We’ll eat here.” 

She hadn’t done anything wrong. She had no reason to 

hide. 

Aaron studied her for a beat, then smiled. “Okay.” 

Emily picked a table near the entrance, far from Ethan’s group. They sat with their backs to each other; neither 

could see the other. 

Aaron handed her the menu and let her order. 

She didn’t hesitate, picking some of her favorites. 

The food came quickly. 

Emily had barely taken a bite when she heard Sophia’s 

excited voice from across the room. “Mr. Robinson! 

Nancy’s so amazing! Her piano playing was the best I’ve ever heard, like magic!” 

Andrew laughed, leaning across the table to meet her 

eyes. 4/9 

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“Calling her amazing is an understatement. She’d crush it 

in any field. She’s just that good.” 

Andrew’s face was full of admiration. 

Sophia listened, puffing out her chest with pride. 

She turned to Nancy, serious as could be. “Nancy, you’re incredible. Like, superwoman incredible!” 

Nancy stroked her hair gently. “You’ll be incredible too. You have an amazing dad.” 

Sophia glanced at Ethan, grinning even wider. 

Her dad was a total catch, and Nancy was a goddess. What more could she ask for? 

Shawn sat across from them, quiet as usual. He wasn’t one for gossip. 

Then his gaze landed on a woman near the entrance. Something about her seemed familiar. 

He paused for a moment, trying to place her, and then the memory clicked. He’d seen her at Sophia’s birthday party? 

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Shawn cleared his throat, tentative. “I think I see someone I know.” 

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He wasn’t completely sure, but he figured it was worth mentioning. 

Shawn’s words made Ethan, Sophia, and Nancy all glance toward Emily’s table. 

Emily had her back to them, so they only saw her silhouette. 

Sophia recognized it instantly and huffed. “Ugh, Mom’s everywhere. So annoying.” 

Ethan looked away, placing a rib on her plate. “Just eat.” 

Sophia crossed her arms, suddenly losing her appetite. 

First the concert, now the restaurant. She couldn’t help thinking Emily was stalking them. 

But then she reconsidered. Maybe Emily was here to apologize? 

That thought gave her a small boost of hope. 

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gone. 

A frown flickered across her face. 

Where did Mom go? 

Ethan didn’t notice when Emily and Aaron left. And he didn’t care enough to ask. 

When Aaron dropped Emily off at Carter Manor, Chloe was waiting by the door, a coat slung over her shoulders. 

Emily got out of the car. “Why are you standing outside?” 

Chloe looked at her, then glanced at the driver’s seat. 

She saw a handsome man—tall, polished, dressed in understated but expensive clothes. Even his car was sleek and elegant. 

Noticing her gaze, Aaron met her eyes and smiled. “Hi. I’m Emily’s college senior, just two years ahead of her.” 

Chloe smiled back. “Nice to meet you.” 

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gesture. 

Emily and Aaron exchanged a few more words, with Emily insisting she’d treat him to dinner next time. 

Aaron smiled warmly, understanding exactly what she 

meant. 

He knew Emily well. If she felt she owed someone, she’d find every excuse to pay them back–with dinners, favors, and kindness in abundance. 

They’d been good friends in college, but after her marriage, they had lost touch. 

After Aaron drove off, Chloe raised an eyebrow, teasing gently. “Just a senior?” 

Emily nodded without hesitation. “Yep, just a senior. But a really good one.” 

Seeing she had no romantic interest, Chloe dropped it. 

Her expression turned serious. “Your dad’s in the living room. He says he has something important to talk to you about.”