He Watched Me Shine Without Him novel Chapter 49

Ethan’s eyes flickered with embarrassment. He turned and shot Vivian a sharp glare. "Why are you yelling? I was thinking about work."

"Work, huh? Or were you thinking about her? Go ahead, explain it to me." Vivian pressed, refusing to back down.

Calling him out like that in public made Ethan feel humiliated for the first time.

He couldn’t help comparing her to Rose. When Rose had been his girlfriend, she’d always made him look good. She was soft-spoken, graceful, and carried herself well. His friends had envied him.

Now, the contrast couldn’t have been clearer. The thought left Ethan oddly frustrated.

Just then, Houston sneezed out of nowhere. Rose looked at him, concerned. "Houston, are you catching a cold?"

Houston caught the worry in Rose’s eyes and couldn’t resist teasing her. "Maybe it’s because you were tossing and turning all night, stealing my blanket."

Rose’s cheeks flushed bright red. She lowered her head shyly.

Houston pulled her into his arms with an affectionate smile.

But Ethan was stunned—he couldn’t believe it. Rose and Houston... living together already? They’ve barely known each other!

As they all stepped out of the elevator, the two couples headed toward the parking lot together.

Ethan couldn’t think straight. All he heard was Houston and Rose flirting with each other.

Rose gave Houston a playful glare. "You’re the one who insisted on sleeping next to me!"

Houston leaned in close to her ear, his voice low and teasing. "I’ve still got plenty of stamina, babe. You wouldn’t leave me cold and lonely, would you?"

Rose gave him a playful shove. "You’re getting worse."

Houston laughed softly. "Only for you."

Ethan felt his blood boiling. Now I see why I lost. I can’t pull that off. I’m not bold enough. And here she is, smiling at him like that... and it’s not for me. The thought left him strangely hollow.

While Rose and Vivian waited curbside, Houston and Ethan went to get their cars. Ethan seized the chance to lash out.

"Mr. Jefferson," he sneered, "didn’t think I’d see you playing the lovesick puppy so well."

Houston shot back, "Ethan, when a man treats his wife well, that’s called respect. Not like those guys who can’t keep their hands off every woman they meet. That’s trash."

Ethan fumed. "Houston, I’ve been with Rose for ten years. She used to be crazy about me. She’ll never fall for you that easily. No matter how much you try to win her over, it won’t work."

Rose rushed to Houston’s window, her voice trembling. "Houston, are you okay?"

Houston stepped out of the car and stroked her hair gently. "I’m fine. Don’t worry, sweetheart."

Relieved, Rose finally let out a breath.

Then the others turned their attention to the cars.

She had been feeling smug—her family’s Porsche cost more than Houston’s Mercedes. She assumed it would hold up better in a crash.

But the result stunned everyone—her family’s six-figure Porsche was completely wrecked by Houston’s custom Mercedes. The headlights were shattered, the bumper crumpled.

Houston’s Mercedes? Not a scratch.

Ethan stood frozen in shock. How is this possible? My car cost more—how did it get destroyed while his is fine?

Vivian, meanwhile, was panicking about the repair costs. She wailed, "Ethan! My dad just got this car. It’s not even insured yet! You wrecked it—we can’t afford this! We’re dead when my dad finds out!"

Broke and desperate, Ethan looked for a way out. He glared at Houston. "Houston, this is your fault! You swerved into me. You’re paying for all of it!"