The Bed We Couldn’t Share

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Every time I had sex with Ethan Carter, I noticed he had changed the sheets.

Once, I finally pressed him and asked why.

Ethan hesitated for a moment, then decided to tell me the truth:

Because every time I have sex with you, your best friend Chloe Reed gets jealous, and she insists on sleeping with me first.

After meeting her, I finally understood that women really are made of water.

I cant exactly let you lie on soaked sheets while we have sex, can I?

I froze, staring at him in disbelief.

What did you say?

He put out his cigarette, half-smiling.

Sophie, your mom was tortured to death in bed by your dad, not by me. So every time you lie there like a dead fish, it really kills the mood. Thats your trauma, and I shouldnt have to pay for it, understand?

You should thank Chloe. Shes helping you keep this relationship alive.

The moment he finished speaking, the door was shoved open.

Chloe rushed in with red eyes and slapped Ethan across the face.

You bastard! Didnt you say youd keep it a secret? Apologize to Sophie!

I looked at them, but all that was left in my throat was bitterness.

So all these years, in Ethans eyes, I had only been a burdensome buzzkill.

This bed was not big enough for three people, and I would never squeeze myself into it again.

I got up, put on my clothes, and walked toward the door.

Ethan called after me, Where are you going?

I did not answer and lowered my head to put on my shoes.

Under Chloes threatening stare, he finally apologized, though his tone was reluctant.

What I said just now... I guess I went too far.

But I did not stop and walked straight to the door.

This time, Ethan completely lost his patience.

Are you done or not? Where can you even go in the middle of the night? Just because of that mess with your mom, the whole world has to tiptoe around you, is that it?

Before I could answer, Chloe ran over and grabbed me, her grip so tight it hurt.

Her eyes were red, and tears had already fallen.

Sophie... Ill give you an explanation. Dont be impulsive. Dont do anything stupid.

I lowered my head and looked at her hand, then smiled faintly.

Then I pulled my hand out of her palm.

Chloe, the stupidest thing Ive ever done in my life was letting you move into this apartment.

My voice was as calm as stagnant water.

Ever since we were kids, I gave you whatever you liked. You said you liked my dress, so I bought you the same one. You said you wanted to get into the same college as me, so I risked getting disciplined to pass you answers. Now, if you like my boyfriend and this bed, I can give them to you too.

Chloes tears fell, and she opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

I looked at her calmly.

Are you satisfied now? If you are, stop clinging to me. I have nothing left to give you.

After saying that, I opened the door and walked out.

The early autumn wind poured into the hallway, and I shivered, but I did not stop.

The streetlight shone above me, dragging a short shadow across the ground.

I lowered my head and looked at my slippers, where the pink bunny ears were already dirty at the tips.

Through my blurry tears, the memories I had tried so hard to hold back surged up on their own.

When we first got together, Ethan treated me very well.

He knew that after my mom died beside me, I was afraid to sleep alone and did not dare turn off the lights.

So he specially bought an apartment in the same complex where Chloe rented.

Back then, Ethan said, Chloe lives nearby, so when Im on business trips, she can come over and keep you company.

Later, Chloe kept saying she was worried about me being alone, and her occasional overnight stays turned into frequent sleepovers.

In the end, she simply ended her lease and moved into the apartment Ethan and I shared.

After Ethan found out, he said, Its good that you two are together. Saves everyone from running back and forth.

From beginning to end, I never felt anything was wrong.

Until the matching couple mugs in the living room somehow became a set of three.

The toothbrush holder also gained another spot.

The pajamas, slippers, and even the new bedsheet I changed later were all the same style as Chloes.

She always smiled and tugged at my arm, her voice sweet and sticky.

Sophie, lets buy them together. Best friends should have matching bestie sets!

Even our mutual friends joked, Sophie Bennett, youre so lucky. You got a boyfriend and a girlfriend as a bonus.

I did not understand it back then and wholeheartedly thought I had won both love and friendship.

Only now did I realize that even they had been more clear-headed than me.

They had realized earlier than I had that there had always been a third person in this relationship.

I wiped away my tears, took off those slippers, and threw them into the trash can beside me.

Standing barefoot in place, the chill spread from the soles of my feet through my entire body.

I took my phone out of my pocket, found a number, and called it.

Aunt Clara, Ive made up my mind. Im willing to go abroad with you.

Aunt Claras voice came through the receiver, carrying a cautious joy.

Sophie, have you really made up your mind?

Before your mom passed away, you were the person she worried about most. What happened back then left such a deep shadow on you, and I was always afraid youd trap yourself in it. Now that youve figured it out, I really...

She paused before steadying her voice. Ill book your flight. Is tomorrow afternoon okay?

I blinked my dry, aching eyes. Yes. Ill go back and pack some things. Ill see you at the airport tomorrow afternoon.

After hanging up, I found a nearby hotel and stayed there.

The bed was clean, untouched, and held no ones scent.

That night, I slept with an unexpected peace.

I slept until the next afternoon before going home.

When I opened the door, the living room was empty, Ethan was not there, and Chloe was not there either.

I went straight to the master bedroom, ready to pack my luggage.

The moment I pushed open the door, I froze in place.

Even though I had prepared myself, the scene before me still stabbed hard into my heart.

The bedsheet was wrinkled into a heap at the foot of the bed, and the pillow was crooked to one side.

A pink lace bra hung over the edge of the bed.

It was the style Chloe often wore.

On the bedsheet lay a pair of pink panties, with dark and light stains crossing over each other.

Every trace announced how intense their battle had been after I left.

I took one numb step forward.

At a glance, I saw 50 min written in black marker on the strap of that bra.

At that moment, my heart died completely.

Because that bra belonged to Chloe.

Those glaring numbers dragged me back three years in an instant, to the day Chloe moved into our home.

That night, she and I lay on the bed and talked about the secrets girls share.

She said she had just gotten a boyfriend, but because his job and status were special, they could not go public and rarely met.

But I noticed that there were often numbers on Chloes bra straps.

Sometimes it was 35, sometimes it was 48, and the highest one said 72.

I could not hold back my curiosity and asked her what it meant.

At the time, she lay beside me and smiled as she said, I count how many minutes my boyfriend can last in bed each time. Its our little code.

Back then, I had even laughed and teased her, happy that she had found a good man.

So, from that moment on.

That man had been Ethan.

But when she showed off to me back then, what was she feeling?

Was she watching a joke, playing with me, or pitying me?

As if possessed, I turned around and walked into Chloes room next door.

I opened the closet and immediately saw an entire wall of neatly hung bras.

The straps were covered densely with numbers.

Some were circled with hearts, and some had been traced over twice in red pen.

It looked like a calendar written for one person alone.

At that moment, I wanted to cry, but not a single tear came out.

My eyes burned and swelled as if they were about to burst.

My phone rang, and I answered with red eyes.

An urgent voice sounded from the other end:

Are you Chloe Reeds family member? Her condition is critical right now, and she needs surgery immediately. You are listed as her emergency contact, so please come as soon as possible to sign the consent form!

I struggled for a long time, but I still took a cab to the address the doctor gave me.

After all, it was a living human life, and I could not just stand by and watch someone die...

When I hurried to the hospital, I saw a familiar person.

It was Ethan, leaning against the wall with anxiety all over his face.

When he heard footsteps, Ethan looked up at me.

Before I could ask anything, the doctor walked out of the operating room.

The moment the doctor saw Ethan, he could not suppress his anger:

You young people are far too reckless! You still have to know your limits during sex. Your girlfriend has a ruptured corpus luteum this time, and fortunately, it was caught early. If it had been any later, she could have had massive internal bleeding, and then it would have been life-threatening!

I stood frozen in place, as if someone had slapped me hard across the face.

A ruptured corpus luteum...

So I had rushed here in a panic only to be humiliated all over again.

Only then did the doctor notice me, and his tone softened a little.

You must be Miss Reeds family member, right? Her boyfriend arrived in time, and the form has already been signed.

The hallway lights were very white, and they fell coldly on my face.

Ethan looked at me, and a hint of nervousness appeared in his eyes.

He thought I would go crazy, cry, and make a scene.

But I only smiled. Thats good.

Watching the doctor return to the operating room, I turned around and prepared to leave.

But Ethan stood up from the bench. Dont go yet. Chloe wants to say a few words to you.

I did not look back.

Say what? Tell me in person what positions you used last night and how long you did it?

Ethans voice sank behind me.

Sophie Bennett! Have you made enough of a scene? Chloe never wanted to fight you for anything. These years, she was the one who was wronged. You dont appreciate what she gave up, and you still want to humiliate her like this?

I could not help clenching my palm.

My nails dug into my flesh, leaving only numbness.

I closed my eyes and tried to keep walking forward.

But Ethan suddenly grabbed my wrist from behind.

I tried to break free, but I could not shake him off.

After we were locked in a stalemate for a moment, Chloe was wheeled by a nurse from the operating room into the ward.

I was also dragged inside by Ethan by force.

Chloe leaned against the hospital bed, her face so pale it was almost transparent, and an IV tube was still inserted into her wrist.

But when she saw me, she still struggled to lift herself a little.

Sophie, you came...

I did not speak and only looked at her coldly.

Chloes eyes reddened again, and she gave Ethan a look.

Ethan frowned, but he still walked out reluctantly.

Only then did Chloe struggle to sit up, pull a piece of paper from under her pillow, and hand it to me.

It was a record of an abortion procedure, dated three years ago.

She looked into my eyes, her voice trembling.

Sophie, whether you believe me or not, I never thought about ruining you and Ethan.

Three years ago, I was pregnant with his child. But I didnt keep it. I had an abortion. And because of that abortion, I might never be able to get pregnant again.

I admit I wavered back then, but in the end, I still chose the abortion. Because I didnt want to lose you. Compared to you, an unborn child meant nothing.

As she spoke, Chloe took a breath, as if using up the last of her strength.

Today, I want to selfishly beg you just once. For the sake of the price I paid for my mistake, forgive me. Last night was my last indulgence. Ethan has already promised me that hell never do anything to betray you again. Ill move out. As long as youre willing, we can still be best friends. And Ethan will still be your boyfriend.

A huge wave of absurdity rushed into my heart.

When a person is in pain to the extreme, they can actually find it laughable.

I curled my lips in mockery. So now you want me to thank you for aborting my boyfriends child?

Chloes lips moved, and she tried to grab my wrist.

I suddenly noticed a silver ring on her ring finger.

The silver was unusual, carrying a gray-white matte sheen.

My entire body stiffened at once.

I knew that ring!

After my mom died, I mixed a small pinch of her ashes into molten silver and made that ring myself.

On the first night I gave myself to Ethan, I personally put it on his finger.

Back then, Ethan promised gently, Sophie, Ill always wear it, and when we get married, Ill move it onto your hand so your mom can watch you find your home.

But now, it was on Chloes hand...

My whole body began to tremble.

Where did you get this ring?

Chloes eyes dodged mine, but she could not say a word.

At that moment, I completely lost my mind!

Like a madwoman, I lunged at her to snatch the ring from her hand.

Chloe was knocked over by me, and a sharp scream rang out.

Ethan hurriedly pushed the door open and came in, immediately seeing Chloe collapsed crookedly at the edge of the bed while the needle had already been pulled out of the back of her hand.

He rushed over to support her, and when he turned to look at me, his gaze was like frost.

Sophie Bennett, are you insane?

I did not look at him and only crouched on the floor, clutching the ring, my whole body trembling.

You can humiliate me, but you cant humiliate my mom!

But Ethan stood up and looked down at me.

The next second, he reached out and knocked the ring from my palm.

The silver band rolled across the floor tiles with a crisp sound.

Sophie Bennett! Ive had enough! Your mom was tortured to death back then because she was shameless! Your mom died and your dad went crazy, and yes, youre pitiful, but that doesnt mean the whole world has to revolve around you. I dont, and Chloe doesnt either! Now apologize to Chloe.

I endured the dull pain in my heart, my eyes flashing with determination.

Impossible.

Hearing that, Ethan sneered and took out his phone to make a call.

A few minutes later, an orderly pushed a small high-temperature sterilizing furnace into the room.

My eyelid twitched, and a bad feeling surged in my heart.

Ethan bent down, picked up the ring from the floor, and walked to the furnace opening.

You dont have to apologize, but I hope you can bear the consequences.

I instantly realized what he was going to do and rushed forward in panic.

But it was already too late, because the orderly pinned me down, leaving me unable to move.

The furnace door opened, and Ethan placed the ring inside before closing the door.

No! No! Ethan, I was wrong!

But at that moment, no matter how I cried and screamed, it was useless.

Through the glass window, I saw the ring begin to melt, then slide down, and finally disappear without a trace.

Only after I had cried until my voice was hoarse did the orderly finally let go.

I knelt on the floor with my face pressed against the cold tiles, my face smeared with snot and tears.

Ethan had already left with Chloe in his arms and did not look at me again.

I did not know how long passed before I finally stood up numbly.

Holding the wall, I walked out of the hospital step by step.

With every step, the dull pain in my heart slowly grew lighter.

I did not go home, because in that home, nothing belonged to me.

I casually hailed a cab, and it was headed for the airport.

The moment the street scene outside the window rushed backward, my tears finally ran dry.

Ethan, from now on, mountains and rivers will separate us, and we will never meet again.