Chapter 2
Zoe's POV
At 1:45 PM the next day, I arrived at the clinic 15 minutes early, deliberately choosing the most conservative athletic wear possible—a long-sleeved fitted top and knee-length workout pants, wrapping myself up like a nun.
This way he can't take advantage of me anymore.
The waiting area was empty except for me, quiet in an unsettling way. Maria at the front desk gave me an apologetic smile when she saw me. "Miss Garcia, your mother called and said she had an emergency and couldn't accompany you today. Dr. Rodriguez will be right with you."
Perfect, without Mom here, I can properly deal with this bastard.
Just as I was thinking that, familiar footsteps approached from behind. I turned to see Ethan walking toward me, wearing an even more fitted gray medical uniform today—the shirt was practically designed to showcase his perfect physique: broad chest, tight abs, and that damn sexy ass.
Fuck, why is he still so handsome?
His eyes clearly flashed with mockery when he saw my conservative outfit.
"Very... modest choice today, Miss Garcia." He said slowly, lips curving slightly upward.
I responded coldly. "I thought it was more appropriate for a medical environment."
"Don't worry," he gestured for me to follow him, "my treatment methods are always very... thorough."
Thorough my ass!
I followed behind him, trying not to stare at the sexy curve of his butt as he walked. "I just hope you can maintain appropriate professional boundaries."
He pushed open the treatment room door, glanced back at me with dangerous glint in his eyes. "Professional boundaries? Interesting concept. I guess it depends on how you define 'professional,' doesn't it?"
The treatment room was particularly quiet today with just the two of us. Soft warm lighting created an intimate atmosphere, and the air was filled with the scent of lavender essential oil.
This bastard is definitely doing this on purpose.
Ethan locked the door with a crisp "click," then turned to face me. He pulled an even shorter treatment outfit from the cabinet and handed it to me.
"Today we're doing deeper muscle therapy," his voice was low and suggestive, "these clothes... are too much for you."
I took what could barely be called clothing, fury burning inside me. "I don't think that's necessary."
His gaze suddenly turned sharp. "You don't think?" He slowly walked toward me, "I'm the doctor, Miss Garcia. If I say it's necessary, it's necessary. Unless..." he stopped in front of me, looking down, "you want to find another doctor?"
That threatening bastard!
His presence forced me to step back, but my stubborn pride made me respond through gritted teeth. "I won't run away."
He suddenly gave a dangerous smile, the kind of expression that reminded me of him in bed—dominant, dangerous, irresistible.
"Good. Let's see how long your 'persistence' lasts."
Five minutes later, I was wearing that damn "treatment outfit"—a nearly transparent tank top and ridiculously short workout shorts. When I lay back down on the treatment table, I could feel Ethan's burning gaze traveling over my body.
Damn it, why did I listen to him?
"We'll start with your thighs," he said, placing his palm on my inner thigh. That familiar warmth instantly made my whole body tingle. "Your muscles are very tense... is it from fear?"
I gritted my teeth. "I have nothing to be afraid of."
His hand began slowly moving upward, every inch of skin trembling under his touch. "Is that so?" He leaned closer, warm breath teasing my ear, "Then why are you shaking?"
Because you're a damn temptation, asshole!
I tried to keep my breathing steady, but when his thumb traced small circles at the top of my thigh, I nearly bit through my tongue.
"Your reactions tell me your body still remembers everything between us." His voice slid over my ear like silk.
No, Zoe, don't forget he's a cheating bastard! I desperately tried to pump myself up mentally, forcing myself to remember that heartbreaking afternoon. Right, that damn Saturday—
Two months ago, Saturday afternoon, Bal Harbour Shops...
I walked excitedly through the bustling shopping district, carrying several shopping bags. Tomorrow was Ethan's birthday, and I wanted to give him a special surprise. We'd been dating for almost a year, and everything had been going great. I thought we'd keep going like this...
Until I passed that outdoor café and a familiar figure made me stop in my tracks.
Ethan?
He sat at an outdoor table with a woman I'd never seen before—long flowing hair, pale skin, gorgeous figure. She wore a tight red dress and looked perfect like a model.
I hid behind a pillar and watched, my heart starting to beat irregularly.
Then the woman stood up, walked behind Ethan, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and pressed her face against his cheek. Her movements were so intimate, so natural, like... like she had the right to do that.
No, this can't be happening...
Then I saw the scene that broke my heart. She kissed his cheek, and Ethan smiled while holding her hand, their fingers intertwining.
The whole world collapsed in that instant.
So this is the truth behind his weekend "commitments"...
I felt like someone had stabbed my chest with a knife, the pain making it impossible to breathe. The shopping bags slipped from my hands, containing the birthday gift I'd carefully chosen for him—an expensive watch engraved with "Forever yours."
How fucking ironic.
That night at 11 PM, my apartment...
I sat on my bed, still wearing the clothes from shopping earlier, eyes red and swollen from crying, phone in my hand. That scene had been replaying in my head all afternoon, each replay like pouring salt on a wound.
My fingers trembled as I typed on the screen.
"We're breaking up. Don't contact me again."
Send.
Then I immediately blocked his phone number, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook—every way to contact me.
Ethan Rodriguez, I refuse to be anyone's backup.
The phone started ringing frantically, showing "Unknown Number," but my blocking software stopped them all. I knew it was him, but I didn't want to hear any explanations. Seeing is believing—what more explanation did I need?
I should have known... men are all like this. Women are just toys to them, replaceable toys.
I turned off my phone, held my pillow, and cried until dawn.
"What are you thinking about now?" Present-day Ethan noticed my emotional shift and stopped what he was doing.
That painful memory made me unable to tolerate his touch anymore. I suddenly sat up and pushed his hands away.
"Enough! The treatment is OVER!"
He frowned at me, genuine concern flashing in his eyes. "What happened? You look really upset."
Looking at his innocent expression, I completely exploded. "Nothing! I just don't want to continue this... this so-called treatment anymore!"
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I desperately tried not to let them fall. I didn't want to appear vulnerable in front of him.
He reached out to grab my arm. "Zoe, tell me what's really going on. Two months ago you suddenly disappeared, and now this..."
I jerked away from his hand, anger making me lose control. "Two months ago? You don't fucking know why?"
His expression looked genuinely confused, which made me even angrier. "I swear I don't know! You suddenly texted me about breaking up, then blocked me! I don't even know what I did wrong!"
What you did wrong? You betrayed me! You were with another woman!
I almost blurted out the truth about the café, but reason made me choose silence. If he really cheated, would he admit it? Don't all men deny it even when caught?
"Whatever." I laughed coldly and stood up, starting to put my own clothes back on, "We're done, Ethan. Completely DONE."
"No, we need to talk!" He grabbed my arm, urgency in his eyes that I couldn't understand. "Zoe, whatever happened, we can work it out..."
"Work it out?" I glared at him, "You think betrayal can be worked out? You think cheating can be forgiven?"
His expression grew even more confused. "Betrayal? Cheating? Zoe, what are you talking about? I never..."
"ENOUGH!" I forcefully broke free from his grip, "Stop acting! I've seen good acting, but I've never seen someone so shameless!"
With that, I stormed out, leaving a bewildered Ethan standing in the treatment room.