The Heart in His Chest Belongs to My Dead Lover

Start Reading

Before my boyfriend died in a tragic car accident, he signed an organ donor agreement.

His heart was transplanted into Ethan Vance.

I did everything I could to become Ethans secret lover, staying by his side.

Every night, after he fell asleep, I would press my ear against his chest just to hear that familiar, racing heartbeat.

Three years later, his childhood sweetheart came back.

But how dare he use *that* heartthe one filled with memories of meto love someone else!

I had been with Ethan for three whole years. Our relationship was an open secret in the office.

"Mr. Vance asked me to book a venue and order a custom engagement ring yesterday!"

"Lily, is Mr. Vance finally going to propose to you?"

I pretended to be calm and waved them off, but my heart fluttered with secret anticipation.

When I went into his office to grab some files, Ethan stopped me.

"Anna is coming back to the country tomorrow. Im going to propose to her."

Anna.

Ethan's childhood sweetheart.

I hadnt heard that name in three years.

"Anna?" I murmured.

Ethan, usually cold and distant, had a rare, soft glow in his dark, deep eyes when he spoke her name.

"Clear my schedule for tomorrow. Im going to the airport to pick her up."

It was the first time he had ever spoken to me in such a gentle tone, but it was for another woman.

I quickly flipped through my tablet. "Mr. Vance, tomorrow mornings shareholders' meeting is extremely important..."

"Cancel all of them. Did I not make myself clear?"

Ethan instantly reverted to his usual cold, aloof self. His expression was blank. He wasn't negotiating with me; he was commanding me.

For the past three years, I thought he was just naturally cold and distant to everyone.

But it turned out there was someone who could easily shake his soul.

How far would he go for Anna?

And what did I even mean to him?

"I can arrange a private car to pick up Miss Sinclair. Tomorrow's meeting is the result of six months of hard work by the business department, and its also my"

Before I could finish, Ethans cold voice cut me off, laced with suppressed anger.

"Lily, you're crossing the line."

The next day, Ethan didnt show up at the office.

The mess from the canceled meeting left me completely overwhelmed. I had to work overtime until 9 PM before I could finally head home.

"Lily, sweetheart, happy birthday! Did you get some cake?"

On the other side of the FaceTime call, my parents smiled warmly at me.

I nodded, but a wave of bitter sadness washed over me.

"What's wrong? Did someone treat you badly? Your eyes are so red," my mom asked, worry etching her face.

I shook my head, about to say something sweet to comfort them, when loud, aggressive knocks banged against my front door.

"Mom, Dad, someone's at the door. I have to go."

I waved hastily and ended the call.

As soon as I opened the door, a tall, heavy figure slumped against me.

It was Ethan.

He smelled of cold pine and expensive whiskey, a dizzying combination that made my own head spin.

"Have you been drinking?"

Before I could ask anything else, his face came down.

He claimed my lips, capturing my breath with a fierce, commanding force that left no room for resistance.

The kiss felt like a punishment, an outlet for his anger.

Ethan was always like this.

His dominance, madness, and passion only ever showed themselves in the dark, hidden hours of the night.

...

Late at night, the bedroom was a chaotic mess of discarded clothes.

Ethans breathing was slow and steady. His long lashes cast soft shadows under his eyes, highlighting his sharp nose and sculpted jawline.

Today was my birthday. He had come to me after all.

I couldn't help but reach out, gently tracing the outline of his chest, right where his heart beat.

Three years ago, Ethan took me to a high-end charity gala for the first time.

I couldn't drink, and after just a few sips of champagne, I was completely out of it.

He personally drove me back to my apartment. I didn't know if it was the alcohol stripping away my sanity or giving me reckless courage, but I clung to him and seduced him all night.

The next morning, when we woke up, he left a black card on the nightstand.

He silently got dressed, then politely asked, "Can I come back here again?"

As if possessed, I nodded.

And just like that, he kept coming back for three years.

I leaned closer to his warm chest, listening to the steady, rhythmic *thump-thump* of his heart. It filled me with an unspeakable sense of peace.

Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, a soft murmur drifted from above.

"Anna, don't leave me."

...

"I'm heading to the office first. You can come in a bit later."

Half-awake, I heard Ethans deep, gravelly voice.

I blinked open my eyes and saw him already fully dressed.

"Let me make you some oatmeal first," I offered weakly.

Ethan quickly adjusted his tie. "No need. Anna is waiting for me at the office. We're having breakfast together."

With that, he walked out and shut the door behind him.

I sat frozen in bed, staring blankly at the door until my phone buzzed with a call from my assistant. Only then did I snap back to reality.

When I arrived at the office, the atmosphere was visibly tense.

My coworkers, who usually greeted me warmly, were giving me strange, sidelong glances.

As I stepped out of the elevator, I could hear whispering behind my back.

"Lily."

Just as I reached out to push open the door to the CEO's office, my assistant stopped me.

"What is it?"

"Um... Mr. Vance is in his office having breakfast with another lady."

Her eyes darted around, looking incredibly uncomfortable.

I forced a light smile, trying to act unfazed. "Well, it's none of my business when Mr. Vance decides to have breakfast."

"Wait, Lily... aren't you and Mr. Vance..."

I handed her a thick stack of folders. "Focus on your work. Stop gossiping."

The whispers in the hallway died down, but through the slight crack in the office door, a sweet voice drifted out.

"The guy who picked me up yesterday was just a friend. I had no idea he'd show up... Ethan, don't be mad at me anymore, okay?"

"I'm so hungry. Feed me this one."

The girls voice was soft, sugary, and laced with childish poutiness.

Ethan, who was usually a man of few words, actually chuckled. "Once we're married, you have to stay by my side and behave."

The sickeningly sweet exchange sparked another wave of murmurs among the nearby desks.

"Does Mr. Vance have a new girl?"

"What's going to happen to Lily?"

"New girl? I heard Lily was just the side chick all along."

"Oh my god, really? She's so shameless."

...

The next second, the office door swung open.

Ethan frowned, his gaze cold. "If anyone has anything else to say, come in and say it to my face."

A petite girl peeked out from behind him. She had porcelain skin and a sweet, delicate doll-like facecompletely different from my style.

She looked at me, her eyes curving into a bright, innocent smile.

"Ethan, is this Lily, your secretary?"

I stood up.

Ethans gaze swept over me. His eyes held nothing but cold indifference, as if the man who had held me so passionately last night didnt exist.

"Yes."

His tone was detached. The sheer lack of emotion in his voice sent a shiver down my spine.

"Lily, come in."

I followed them into the office.

I stood in front of his desk. Anna was sitting comfortably on Ethans lap like a clingy girlfriend.

They looked perfect together. Anyone looking at them would think they were a match made in heaven.

I clenched my fists, biting my lip so hard I could taste copper, forcing myself to remain calm.

"Lily, I don't want any ridiculous rumors reaching Anna's ears."

His first words to me felt like a slap in the face.

Rumors... did he mean the gossip outside?

So, he didn't come out to defend me. He came out to protect Anna from hearing about *us*.

And his visit to my apartment last night was probably just because he was jealous, thinking Anna had another man.

I looked at the beautiful, delicate girl in his lap.

Then I looked down at myself.

We were nothing alike. I wasn't even qualified to be her substitute.

"Understood. I'll handle it," I said, turning to leave.

But Anna's sweet voice stopped me. "Ethan, the company seems so much fun! Can I work as your secretary too? Just like Lily."

My breath hitched.

Would Ethan fire me to make room for her?

I stood frozen, waiting for his answer.

"Sure. You can sit right next to me and keep me company."

I let out a silent breath.

At least... I could still stay near him.

"Lily, you can go now."

The days that followed were pure torture. I had to watch Ethan and Anna walk in and out of the office together.

Whenever Anna was around, Ethans eyes never lingered on me for even a second.

She was cheerful, bubbly, and full of life. When they were together, even Ethan's cold demeanor melted into something gentle.

"Lily, get in here."

I walked into the office. Anna was sitting at his computer playing a video game.

Ethan threw a contract onto the desk. "You've been working here for years. How do you still make such amateur mistakes?"

I picked it up. This was the contract Anna had asked me for a few days ago.

She had complained about being bored, saying she had nothing to do.

Thinking she had studied abroad and could handle a basic agreement, I handed it to her.

Now, looking at it, the terms were a mess, and even the formatting was completely wrong.

I closed the folder. "I'll revise it and bring it back."

I just wanted to get out of there. Being scolded in front of Anna made me feel utterly humiliated.

"Oh!" Anna let out a soft gasp. "Ethan... about that contract... I wanted to help Lily out, but I messed up. I'm so stupid."

Ethan pulled her into his arms, his voice dripping with affection. "You did this? You're so smart!"

"Don't blame Lily. It's all my fault."

I let out a dry, silent laugh in my mind.

A simple contract had become a stage for her little victim play.

"You don't need to do anything," Ethan said softly. "Just sitting here makes me happy."

I forced down the lump in my throat and walked out quietly.

Ethan's words echoed in my ears like salt being rubbed into an open wound.

I rushed into the restroom and splashed cold water on my face, trying to wake myself up.

Suddenly, someone stood next to me.

It was Anna.

Her smile was still sweet, but her eyes held a trace of undisguised smugness.

"Lily, are you okay? I didn't know Ethan would raise his voice at you... He's always so gentle with me."

She wasn't lying.

Ethan was indeed infinitely patient and gentle with her.

I didn't say a word and walked back to my desk.

Anna seemed to purposely leave the office door slightly open. "Ethan, Lily looked really upset just now."

"Whether she's happy or not has nothing to do with me," Ethan's voice carried a heavy tone of annoyance. "If she can't do her job, she can pack her bags and leave!"

To Ethan, I was absolutely nothing.

As I was fixing the mess Anna left behind, my assistant tiptoed over. "Lily, everyone is in the conference room. We're just waiting for you."

This was the first meeting I hadn't prepared myself.

"That concludes this week's business report," the department head said, carefully closing the presentation.

The atmosphere in the room was suffocating.

Ethan sat at the head of the table, his arms crossed, eyes closed as if he were resting.

"I expect all inappropriate gossip in this office to stop immediately."

Everyone knew exactly what he was talking about.

"Especially some peopleknow your place. Don't make assumptions you shouldn't be making."

He might as well have called me out by name.

"Ethan."

After the meeting adjourned, Ethan walked ahead. I called out to him.

He paused but didn't turn around.

Even looking at me seemed like a waste of his time. I had truly overvalued myself in his heart.

"Why did you have to call a company-wide meeting just to say that?"

I wasn't ready to let it go. To make me leave, he was willing to humiliate me in front of the entire company.

"Anna was upset by the rumors."

With that, he walked away, disappearing down the corridor.

Fine.

Wonderful.

But how could he use *that* heart to love another woman?

The night grew deeper.