He Watched Me Shine Without Him novel Chapter 71

She practically called her “overdramatic” to her face.

It was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over Vivian. If Ethan wasn’t even seeing patients, why did he come home every day acting like he was about to collapse from exhaustion and demand that she wait on him hand and foot? Wasn’t that just outrageous?

At that moment, Houston opened the car door and said gently to Rose, “Rose, get in.”

Without another word to Vivian, Rose got into the Mercedes.

Vivian watched as Houston tenderly took her shoulder bag, pressed a light kiss on her forehead, and looked at her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

Not only was Houston attentive and affectionate—he was also incredibly good-looking and the heir to the prestigious Clarke family. Compared to Ethan, the difference was like night and day. The more Vivian thought about it, the more disappointed she felt.

Only after Houston and Rose had been gone for a long time did Vivian finally see Ethan strolling out of the building with a few young nurses.

He looked completely relaxed and carefree as he chatted with them—so different from the grim expression he always wore in front of her.

Vivian was furious.

She slammed her hand on the horn. Ethan and the nurses turned to look. When they saw her, the girls’ faces turned awkward and uneasy.

“Bye, Dr. Ethan,” they said before scattering like startled birds.

Ethan lowered his head and walked toward Vivian.

“Vivian, what are you doing honking like that? You’re embarrassing me,” he scolded.

Vivian snapped back, “Embarrassing? Or am I interrupting something fun?”

“What are you even talking about? They’re just coworkers. Don’t start imagining things.”

Just as Ethan reached out to open the car door, Vivian hit the gas and sped off.

“Find your own way home,” she said.

Ethan stomped his foot in frustration.

He’d had enough of Vivian’s spoiled temper. In the end, he turned around and began the long trek home on foot.

It took several buses, but he eventually reached the outskirts of the city where his family lived. When the Walker mother and daughter saw him arrive empty-handed, disappointment clouded their faces.

Chloe was quick to complain. “You finally come home, and you show up empty-handed?”

Ethan was silent.

Samantha shot back, “What nonsense are you spouting? Her dad is a senior doctor. He can help you get a job. And their family has a house and a car. With her, you’ll have the means to support me and your sister.”

Ethan gave a cold laugh. “You want me to mooch off a woman? The Brown family would have to agree to that. Her mom already resents me for being broke. She’s always looking down on me. If I marry Vivian, I can’t even imagine how much I’ll be humiliated.”

Samantha was stunned. In her eyes, her son was well-educated, handsome, and a rare catch. Any woman who landed him was marrying up.

“She’s just a two-year college grad, and we never made a fuss about it. Why does her mom think she’s better than you? You’re not going to be poor forever,” she huffed.

Then she added forcefully, “Starting tomorrow, stop kissing up to the Browns. Just stay home. That Vivian’s carrying your child already, and it’s too late to get rid of it. Ignore her. Just give her the cold shoulder. She’ll come begging you to come back.”

Meanwhile—

Vivian stormed home in a rage. Her parents, seeing she was alone, couldn’t help but ask, “Where’s Ethan? Didn’t you go to pick him up? Why isn’t he with you?”

Vivian snapped, “Don’t bring him up. We had a fight. I told him to figure out his own way home.”

Her father looked out at the darkening sky and shook his head in frustration. “Vivian, if you keep trampling on his pride like this, you’re going to drive him away for good.”

Vivian rubbed her swollen belly and said confidently, “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ve got his baby—he’s not going anywhere.”