Sorry Daddy, I'm Not Spare Parts for Her! - Chapter 2: Chapter 2

My sudden coldness took Ethan by surprise.
In the real world, I'd loved him with every fiber of my being. A single kind glance from him used to send me clinging to his side like a lovesick fool.
But now, even though I still looked the same—awkward, infatuated Ava—something had shifted.
Maybe he was reading too much into it.
Ethan forced a strained smile. "Ava, what's bothering you? Talk to me. I'll fix it."
I shook my head, my voice hollow.
"It's nothing. Just the sea breeze—it's making me feel off tonight."
Funny, the man I'd once ached for was right in front of me, yet I could barely breathe.
Before, I'd believed he simply didn't love me—that if I tried hard enough, I could melt his heart.
Now? All I wanted was to run as far from him as possible.
But fleeing now would only make him suspicious.
If he realized I knew the truth, he'd stop at nothing to break me until I willingly handed over my bone marrow to Luna.
The waves crashed violently, each one fiercer than the last, churning like the storm inside me.
I sat frozen on the beach chair, lost in thought, barely registering my own name being called.
"Ethan Foster, your stepdaughter's adorable."
Beside Ethan stood a man in a blue-and-white checkered shirt. Our eyes met, and he shot me a teasing smirk.
Nathan Cole. Ethan's longtime rival. A notorious playboy.
Ethan had always despised him, so naturally, so had I.
But right now, I didn't have the energy for feuds—my mind was too busy plotting my escape.
Ethan's expression darkened, his sharp features flushed. He usually held his liquor well, so he must've been drinking heavily tonight.
In the past, no matter how late, I'd have been waiting up with sobering tea—even if he never touched it.
Then his thoughts slithered into my mind again.
"Pathetic. One glance at a pretty face, and you lose your head—just like your worthless father."
"He couldn't even sire his own child. Adopting you was just a ploy to secure the family fortune."
"If not for the old man forcing half the inheritance on you, I wouldn't have wasted years raising you. Luna's resented me for it all this time."
My fists clenched so tight my nails drew blood, but I barely felt it.
My heart? That was another story. It felt shredded, each stab of betrayal stealing my breath.
I swallowed the tears, forcing my face blank.
Then, right in front of Ethan, I picked up the lemonade beside me and handed it to Nathan.
With a practiced, shy smile, I masked the rot inside.
"Here, Nathan. This'll help."
Nathan's eyes sparkled with mischief as his large hand settled on my shoulder.
"Little Ava's all grown up, huh? Remember what you promised me when you were a kid?"
I blinked. "Huh?"
He grinned. "You said I was the handsomest man alive. Begged your dad to let you marry me. Even swore we were betrothed—that you'd be my bride someday."
Heat rushed to my cheeks. "Kids say stupid things. That doesn't count."
Nathan clutched his chest in mock hurt. "Ouch. You're single, I'm single… why not give it a shot?"
I glanced at Ethan. His gaze was locked on Nathan's hand, his face stormy.
He didn't even realize it, but jealousy coiled inside him.
His arm jerked forward—ready to yank me away—until my next words froze him mid-motion.
Ethan's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
"What did you just say?"
"Ava Foster. Say it again."