Because I Was an and He Threw Away 165

After leaving Joy Gardens, Ethan rang Andrew again. 

Once he had the address, he drove straight there. 

He parked outside the barbecue joint and, before getting out, peered through the large glass windows at the Carter family gathered inside. 

Emily was seated at the table while Alexander stood beside her, playfully placing a birthday hat on her head. Chloe wheeled a cake toward her, Ryan set the candles in place, and lit them one by one. 

Perched on Linda’s lap, Molly clapped her little hands and sang “Happy Birthday” at the top of her lungs. 

Emily closed her eyes, pressed her palms together, and made a silent wish over the glowing candles. 

When she opened them again, she blew them out in one breath. Chloe handed her the knife with a warm smile, inviting her to cut the first slice. 

The whole family clustered close, wrapped in a y 15:04 

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bubble of laughter and love. Even Alexander, the outsider, seemed caught up in it–his smile soft and genuine, his eyes bright with unforced joy. 

Ethan stood frozen on the sidewalk. The scene hit him like a slow punch. Only now did it dawn on him–today was Emily’s birthday. 

Five years of marriage, and he’d never once heard her mention the date. He’d never thought to ask. 

Andrew sidled up behind him and clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Looks like Emily and Alexander are pretty tight, huh?” he murmured. 

Ethan replied with a short “Yeah.” 

Andrew frowned. “And that doesn’t bother you at all?” 

Ethan’s voice was flat, almost detached. “It doesn’t prove anything.” 

Andrew’s frustration spiked. “Ethan, seriously? Are you gonna wait until something actually happens before you believe it?” 

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But Ethan shook his head, resolute. “She wouldn’t do 

that.” 

With that, he strode into the restaurant. 

In his tailored suit, he stuck out like a sore thumb amid the casual, smoky bustle. Heads turned, curious glances followed him, but he ignored them all and headed straight for the Carters. 

Emily was busy portioning out cake slices, her back to him, oblivious to his arrival. 

Linda and Henry spotted him first. Their faces hardened instantly. 

Alexander, ever perceptive, caught the shift in the elders‘ expressions and glanced over his shoulder. 

His brow creased at the sight of Ethan. 

Ethan didn’t know the Carters intimately, but he could put names to faces. 

He approached and offered polite greetings in turn. 

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Emily heard his voice and whipped around, eyes widening in surprise. She just looked at him and said nothing. 

Ethan looked at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “It’s your birthday today–how come you didn’t tell me?” 

There was a subtle note of reproach in his tone, as if she’d kept some secret from him. 

The Carters knew exactly how deeply he’d wounded Emily. Their reception was glacial. 

Emily almost laughed at the absurdity of the question. Before she could reply, Alexander jumped in with a sharp smirk. “Mr. Wilson, are you going to tell me you don’t even remember your own wife’s birthday? If your memory’s that bad, a heads–up probably wouldn’t have made a difference anyway.” 

Ethan glanced at him, his expression unreadable. “This is a family matter. Doesn’t concern an outsider like you.” 

Alexander let out a crisp, mocking laugh. “Heh. Sounds like you haven’t caught up yet. The outsider here might just be you.” 

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Ethan’s face darkened, his gaze turning icy as it locked on Alexander. Alexander didn’t flinch–he stared right back, unflinching. 

Emily stood trapped between them, the tension pressing in from both sides like a vise. 

The standoff hung heavy until Ethan’s phone suddenly 

shrilled to life. 

He checked the screen, stepped aside, and took the call. 

Nancy’s voice tumbled out in a panic. “Ethan, my mom’s surgical wound split open–she’s bleeding a lot.” 

His brow knitted tight. “Don’t worry. I’m on my way.” 

He hung up and returned to the table. Facing Henry and Linda, he said with genuine regret, “Mr. Carter, Mrs. Carter–something urgent came up. Please allow me to cover dinner tonight.” 

From start to finish, not one Carter so much as met his 

eyes. 

Ethan 

than had been as courteous as possible, but they froze 

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him out completely. 

He didn’t press it. Instead, he turned to Emily, his tone softening. “I’ll make it up to you once I’m free. I’ll 

celebrate your birthday properly then. For now, I have to go.” 

Emily lifted her gaze, cool and steady. “No need.” 

He frowned. “Be good.” 

She opened her mouth to say more, but he’d already turned toward the register to settle the bill. 

However, Alexander called after him, voice laced with amusement. “Mr. Wilson, hold up a second.” 

Ethan paused. 

Alexander arched a brow, grinning. “This place? I just acquired it. So no need to pay–dinner’s on me.” 

Ethan didn’t argue. He simply nodded curtly and hurried 

out. 

Emily went back to serving cake and then passed around 

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forks. 

Linda’s eyes brimmed with concern for her daughter. “Emily, are you okay?” 

Emily shrugged, a weary nonchalance in the gesture. “I’m used to it by now.” 

www 

She could feel her family’s worry radiating toward her, but truthfully, the sting had dulled. 

Ope 

To ease their minds, she flashed a bright smile. “Come on, let’s eat the cake.” 

Molly, her face smeared with frosting, piped up innocently. “Aunt Emily, you’re so wonderful. You’ll definitely find someone amazing. I’ll know you will have the best husband ever someday!” 

Emily couldn’t help but laugh, the sound light and genuine. 

Alexander’s ears perked up. He leaned toward Molly with mock seriousness. “Hey, Molly, what about me? How do I rate?” 

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