When He Asked Me to Stay for Her, I Chose Myself Chapter 01
At the graduation party, my classmates looked at me with envy when they heard that Professor Williams was taking Ethan Caldwell and me to Paris for a research program.
“I heard you two are getting married in two days. So many amazing things are happening for you lately. Your career and your love life are both going so well!”
“Couples who get married in a Paris church always seem so blessed.”
I was about to pull Ethan over and raise a glass with everyone.
But then he calmly said,
“We’re not going.”
I froze.
“Madison hasn’t finished her thesis yet. She’s been working so hard. I can’t just sit back and watch her struggle. As for Vivian, she can stay here.”
Ethan gently brushed my hair back.
“I’m going to the lab to help Madison first. You’re not a big drinker, so don’t have too much.”
After saying that, he hurried away. The entire room fell silent.
Finally, one of my classmates spoke.
“You two aren’t just in love. You’re always willing to help other people too.”
I forced a smile and turned to accept Professor Williams’s invitation.
Ethan wasn’t coming. So why couldn’t I go?
“If Professor Williams asks, just tell him you don’t want to go.”
“Don’t make things difficult for Madison. She hasn’t had it easy.”
Right after the party ended, Ethan called me.
For a moment, I didn’t know what to say.
Then I heard Madison’s sweet voice through the phone.
“Ethan, I keep getting this wrong. What am I supposed to do?”
He didn’t even bother hanging up. His voice instantly softened.
The patience and gentleness he showed her were things I rarely received anymore.
“Don’t worry. Take your time.”
“Let me show you. We’ll go through it step by step.”
I didn’t argue with him.
I swallowed the hurt and said nothing, letting it sit like a weight in my chest.
After silently ending the call, I went to find Professor Williams and sign up for the program.
“How come you’re the only one here?”
“Where’s Ethan?”
Professor Williams looked confused.
“He’s not going.”
“What?”
Professor Williams was stunned.
“Ethan has always been so gentle and considerate. How could he let you go abroad alone?”
“Besides, weren’t you two planning to get married?”
My throat tightened.
That was right.
Under the cherry blossoms, he had rested his head against my knees and whispered that no one else would ever matter as much as me.
He had promised that I would be the only person he loved for the rest of his life.
“Maybe he was just joking.”
As soon as I finished speaking, the office door opened.
Madison walked in.
“Professor Williams, this is my latest lab report. Could you take a look?”
After handing over the report, she immediately turned to me.
“Vivian, I’m honestly so jealous of you. You have such an amazing boyfriend like Ethan.”
“This experiment worked because Ethan helped me every step of the way.”
“Oh, by the way, Ethan said he’ll be working in the lab with me for the next few months.”
“You won’t mind, will you?”
Madison’s happy smile reminded me of who I used to be.
A bitter feeling rose inside me.
But I didn’t show it.
I simply shook my head.
“Of course not.”
“That’s Ethan’s choice.”
“Really?”
Madison’s smile slowly turned smug.
“Ethan is incredible. There are so many people who like him.”
“If he falls for someone else someday, he has the right to choose, doesn’t he?”
“Yeah.”
I calmly nodded.
Professor Williams immediately noticed something was wrong.
He frowned.
“What exactly are you implying?”
“Step outside for a moment. I’ll talk to you later.”
“I was just asking.”
Madison pouted before leaving.
Professor Williams took out two forms and handed them to me.
“Go back and tell Ethan this opportunity doesn’t come around often.”
“He should think about it again.”
He paused.
“I also want to remind you to be careful around Madison Bennett.”
“Don’t let Ethan get too close to her.”
I understood.
But you can’t make someone stay when they’ve already chosen to leave.
I had just walked downstairs with the application forms when heavy rain suddenly started pouring.
By coincidence, Ethan came rushing over with an umbrella.
My body moved toward him before my mind could stop it.
But Madison was already there.
She slipped under the shelter of his arm naturally, as if she belonged there.
It was Madison.