Halfway through the birthday party, Ethan and Sophia announced their wedding date.
Only then did Avery realize this wasn''t just a birthday celebration-it was their engagement party
too.
The room erupted in thunderous apuse as everyone offered congrattions.
Avery sat alone in the corner watching them kiss with blissful smiles. She felt nothing.
During the toast, Sophia walked over arm-in-arm with Ethan. She raised her ss with a radiant
smile.
"Avery! You and Ethan are good friends. Would you be my bridesmaid at our wedding?"
"Sorry, I''ve got ns that day. Can''t make it." Avery didn''t even try to sound apologetic.
Ethan''s face darkened at her blunt refusal.
He shot her a cold look. "Ugh, whatever. Just make sure the gift shows up, even if you don''t."
Avery nodded slightly. "Don''t worry. For a friend like you, I''ll make sure the check has plenty of zeros." Her voice was soft but hollow.
She sounded so genuine, as if she truly wished them well.
Ethan remembered what he''d overheard at the store, andplicated emotions flickered across his
face.
Just then piano music filled the room. At a loss for words, he grabbed Sophia''s hand and led her to
the dance floor.
Spotlights followed the couple as they floated across the floor like butterflies. Watching their affectionate disy, guests whispered in admiration.
After Sleeping with My Childhood Prince, I Kicked Him Out from My World
5.5%
"They''re perfect together! But isn''t getting engaged after only a month kinda rushed?"
"You don''t get it. Ethan''s been crushing on Sophia forever. Now that he''s finally got her, of course he''s locking it down fast."
Avery leaned back against the couch lost in memories.
Ethan had taught her how to dance.
Back then they had zero coordination. She kept stepping on his feet in her heels.
He never got mad. Just leaned in with that cocky grin and whispered: "One step on my foot, one kiss
on my face."
By the end of that night Avery had learned to dance.
Ethan''s feet were ck and blue. And her lips were swollen from his kisses.
She''d thought he liked her too-that in his world she upied the girlfriend space.
But when Sophia returned and she witnessed how he fawned over her...
Avery realized howughable her assumptions had been.
Lost in thought she barely noticed the man bowing before her with an invitation to dance.
She
insisted. Seeing everyone else
to refuse but he
dancing, she didn''t want to be el
buzzkill o
so she agreed.
Strangers though they were, they moved together surprisingly well. They swayed
to the smooth
melody,
The man''s warm hands seemed
Ito
work her rx and lose herself in the
moment.
ic. He gradually
s to w
It was the first time all night Ethan had seen Avery smile and his face immediately
fell.
His eyes clearly annoyed kept drifting to her causing him to miss several beats.
After Sleeping with My Childhood Prince, I Kicked Him Out from My World
5.870
Sophia nced over and noticed his distraction. Something flickered in her eyes.
When the music changed tempo everyone switched partners.
Avery froze when she realized Ethan was now holding her hand. She lowered her gaze.
They''d barelypleted one turn when disaster struck.
The crystal chandelier overhead came loose and crashed down with a bang.
Ethan instinctively dropped her hand and rushed to shield Sophia. He pulled her away from danger.
Avery wasdeft behind and barely
kept her bnce as the chandelieret
her shoulder, slicing a
a deep
gash across her hand
Blood soaked her white dress crimson.
Pain shot through her body forcing a cry from her lips as her face turned ghostly
white.
Just steps away Ethan held Sophia tenderly. Heforted her as they hurried
out.
From start to finish he never once looked back at Avery.
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After Sleeping with My Childhood Prince, 1 Kicked Him O