Love Deceptions and Rebirth Novel – Chapter 1
Everyone could hear the unspoken thoughts of Ethan’s first love—except me.
When she returned from abroad and attended my engagement party with Ethan Parker, she appeared carefree, offering her warmest congratulations. But inside, her heart whispered:
“I still love Ethan, but he’s moved on so quickly to someone else he loves. If I’d known it’d end like this, I wouldn’t have rejected him out of insecurity.”
Ethan’s eyes reddened instantly.
But they didn’t know—I was reborn.
This life, I could hear her thoughts too.
At the engagement party, everyone raised a toast for Ethan and me…
Including Ethan’s first love, Chloe Brooks.
She glided over in a low-cut white dress, raising a glass of red wine.
“Ethan, congrats on your engagement.”
Her smile was gentle.
But her heart wasn’t as soft as her expression.
“Ethan’s fiancée is stunning and accomplished. I should let go.”
“But I’m not ready. I still love Ethan, and he moved on so fast to someone better. If I’d known it’d end like this, I wouldn’t have rejected him out of insecurity.”
Ethan froze, his fingers tightening around his glass. His eyes darkened, filled with something raw…
Mindful of the crowd, he said nothing, just gazed at her deeply.
Unseen by others, I watched it all unfold—my face calm, my heart cold.
In my last life, it had been exactly the same…
Despite our engagement, once Ethan learned Chloe still loved him, he spiraled into self-destruction—drinking until dawn while I waited at home, calling until midnight, only to hear him slur, “Not coming back.”
I tracked him down through his friend, found him at a bar—and saw him kissing Chloe passionately.
“Why didn’t you say yes back then? Happy now? I’m engaged to someone else.”
His smile to her was bitter.
My heart turned to ice. Two years of love, an engagement ring, and to him, I was just… someone else.
“Ethan, this is wrong. You’re engaged, but I love you so much.” Chloe threw herself into his arms, tearful, pitiful.
In the end, I watched them check into a hotel, tumbling into bed.
Snapping back to the present, I saw Ethan’s reluctant eyes—and found it almost laughable…
Back at the party, Ethan introduced Chloe: “Claire, this is my childhood friend, Chloe Brooks. She looked after me when we were young. We’ve always been close.”
Outwardly friendly, her inner voice betrayed her.
“Claire? That name sounds familiar. She looks familiar too.”
“Oh, I remember! I saw her checking into a hotel with a fifty-something man—a king-size room.”
“What do I do? Should I tell Ethan? He deserves better than a woman like her.” Her thoughts trembled with fake concern…
I noticed Ethan’s grip tighten, his knuckles whitening around his glass, his gaze on me sharpening with anger.
Chloe hadn’t spoken aloud—clearly her thoughts again.
No wonder, after the party in my past life, Ethan suddenly grew cold and refused to drive me home…
It was late, he ditched me, and I took a cab. On the way, I was dragged into an alley by thugs and assaulted…
I made it home battered and broken. When Ethan finally showed up hours later, he saw me, slapped me across the face, and snarled that I was shameless—just a slut…
I wanted to laugh but couldn’t.
Two years of love, and he trusted Chloe’s silent accusations more than he trusted me…
Whatever she said, he believed—so easily assuming I had cheated.
The truth was, I was attacked because he left me alone.
But to him, I had willingly degraded myself.
I simply said two words, icy and final: “Claire.”
I watched her smile freeze, awkwardly pull her hand back, and feign hurt…
“Seems Ethan’s fiancée doesn’t like me. Oh well, for Ethan’s sake, I’ll bear it.”
Chloe sighed inwardly, adjusting her expression to a gentle smile.
Ethan frowned at me. “Claire, even if you don’t like Chloe, you don’t have to embarrass her in front of me. Embarrassing her is embarrassing me.”