Chapter 2Fading Memories: Husband and Son, I've Already Forgotten You

I didn't expect Rachel to come find me so soon.

She asked to meet me at a coffee shop but arrived nearly half an hour late.

Rachel sat down across from me. Her face was actually a thorn in my heart.

On Ethan's computer, there was a folder named "first love".

It was full of her photos.

When I accidentally opened it, Ethan acted nonchalant, saying he kept these just to reminisce about his youthful self, not because of her.

Looking at Rachel up close, her makeup was exquisite, her smile sweet.

As for me, though we were about the same age, I looked much older. I rarely put on makeup or dressed up after marriage, and my complexion wasn't good.

"Samantha, long time no see!"

She spoke first with a bright smile, her eyes curved like a cunning fox.

I always felt inferior in front of Rachel.

She was my half-sister, sharing the same father but different mothers.

The first time I met Rachel was on my eighth birthday.

My mom rarely took me to fancy restaurants, but she did that year to celebrate.

Knowing how hard it was for my mom to earn money, I only dared to order the cheapest items on the menu.

At the table next to us, another family was also celebrating a birthday.

A girl in a beautiful puffy dress wore a birthday crown, smiling happily.

As for me, my clothes were wrinkled with visible mending patches.

I lowered my head, but then I heard a familiar voice.

The man with his back to me turned sideways, and I realized it was my dad.

He was smiling and singing happy birthday to that girl.

The fatherly love that seemed so out of reach for me was all given to Rachel.

She was beautiful and had many admirers at school, but she turned them all down.

Until she started dating Ethan, an upperclassman. Everyone said they were a perfect match.

I was always the ugly duckling, the most inconspicuous existence in the crowd.

That year, Rachel suddenly went abroad and broke up with Ethan. He tried desperately to keep her, but couldn't.

In college, I deliberately imitated Rachel's style and preferences to get close to Ethan.

My intentions were obvious, and after persistent pursuit, he chose me.

So, I always felt that I had stolen Ethan.

Now the rightful owner had returned.

I took a sip of the floral tea in front of me and spoke softly:

"It has been a long time. Did you ask me out today for something specific?"

"Nothing special, just catching up."

"I saw Tommy yesterday. He's very cute, looks a lot like Ethan."

"They were quite upset yesterday... I told them not to give you a hard time when they got home."

Her tone was polite, but there was an unmistakable hint of acting like the lady of the house.

I looked up at her and smiled: "My husband and son certainly won't give me a hard time."

I emphasized the word "my", smiling brightly.

Only I knew that my heart was already panicking because of her, my nails almost digging into my palms.