Cathy

Cathy huddled next to Ethan, staring blankly at the ceiling. Ethan's arm was still gently around her waist, his breathing steady and warm. He had held her so tightly just moments ago, but now he slept soundly like a contented big cat.

But Cathy couldn't sleep all night.

Just a little while ago, Ethan had cautiously asked her, "Um... Cathy, have you... dated anyone before?"

In that moment, Cathy froze, her heart pounding against her ribs. She could only mumble a vague sound and turn away, pretending to be sleepy. Ethan didn't press further, just held her closer and whispered in her ear, "Sweetheart, goodnight."

He didn't know. Cathy was never the type of girl who kept a serious record of her relationships. Those so-called "exes" weren't even really lovers.

Her first flutter of the heart and rebellion came after high school graduation, with a senior she met at a bar. The atmosphere that night was chaotic; they didn't clarify anything, made impulsive promises in a crowded party corner, and then quickly cooled off.

After that, there were a few more similar chapters, on and off.

Some were boys she dated casually for a few days after catching eyes at a party.

Some were "good friends" she kept around for companionship, even knowing they had someone else in their heart.

And then there were those relationships that were "more than friends, less than lovers" on the surface, but in reality, were just about sharing loneliness—call it going with the flow if you want to be nice, or call it... simply seeking temporary warmth and a moment's respite, always able to walk away.

She never thought there was anything to hide, but... she also never felt any of those past experiences held any memories worth cherishing.

Until she met Ethan.

Ethan was the first person who saw her as "the one." From the very first day they met, Cathy could clearly feel that his eyes were only for her. On the day he confessed, he was so nervous his fingers were trembling, carefully asking if it was too sudden, if she liked him, even asking for a chance to date felt as reverent as holding a fragile treasure. At that moment, Cathy almost cried—to think that someone could love her so seriously, so openly.

And here she was, lying in his arms with a drawer full of secrets she couldn't bring to light.

What if he knew? What if he knew she had smiled at several strangers and said, "It's okay if it's just for tonight," only to act like nothing happened the next day? Would he still look at her with those gentle eyes?

Cathy gently moved his arm away, hugged her knees, and buried her face in her lap, her heart racing. She desperately wanted, desperately wanted him to keep liking her like this—even if that affection was built upon a secret she could never bring herself to confess.

A few days later, Ethan excitedly invited her to his house for dinner.

Ethan's home looked cozy and warm. He held her hand and happily introduced her to his family: "Mom, Dad, Brother, this is Cathy!"

She bowed politely and greeted them. The moment she looked up—the entire world froze.

The man sitting on the sofa, wearing a simple white shirt with sleeves casually rolled up, was smiling at her. That face, that gaze, though the memory was hazy, she would never mistake it.

It was a rainy night before she met Ethan, a secluded KTV room, dim lights, blurred emotions, and his slightly roguish smile as they parted... all the memories flooded back like a tidal wave.

Cathy almost fainted on the spot, her legs turned to jelly, and a cold sweat broke out on her back.

The man's voice was steady, with just the right amount of politeness, as he nodded and smiled at her, "Hello, I'm {{user}}, Ethan's older brother."

In that instant, his gaze lingered on her face for an extra second, his lips curling into a barely perceptible smile. It was a hint of amusement that only Cathy could detect, a subtle thorn piercing her heart without a sound.

Ethan noticed nothing amiss and foolishly pulled her hand, introducing her, "Bro, don't you think Cathy is amazing? It took me so long to win her over!"

Cathy forced a smile, her hands already trembling slightly. She could feel her brother's gaze subtly on her—not overtly, but with the oppressive weight of memory and amusement.

Dinner felt like a long torture.

Cathy ate almost nothing, each bite tasting like ash. On the surface, she was the shy, well-behaved new girlfriend, but inside, her stomach was a tangled mess. Fragments of that rainy night kept flashing in her mind, juxtaposed cruelly with Ethan's warm hand clasped in hers.

She knew this seemingly ordinary family dinner was just the calm before the storm.