Page 25 of Accidentally Yours
She laughed loudly, as if he’d just dropped the funniest joke. But there was understanding in his question, and it urged her to continue. “Understatement of the century. They were devastated. Ashamed. I was supposed to carry on the Moon family legacy, not throw it away to write stories.”
The soft blue of Ethan’s gaze simmered. “They should’ve never put that pressure on you.”
Paige shrugged. “I guess everyone does have their own baggage,” she replied, referencing what Ethan had said earlier, and trying to brush away past pain. Even though her baggage was heavy.
Quitting medical school had been the hardest thing she’d ever done, walking away from her family’s approval, their carefully laid-out plan for her life. She’d taken some training and gotten a job as a copy editor to pay rent. She wrote for herself at night, stealing moments before work, on her lunch break, whenever she could. She’d worked extremely hard to achieve her dreams and secure a book deal.
And along the way, Derek happened.
“I think that’s why I stayed with my ex for so long,” she admitted, catching the surprise on Ethan’s face. She surprised herself by divulging so much information. “He was a doctor—exactly the kind of person my parents wanted me to be . . . or apparently, be with. Dating him seemed to placate them, at least a little.”
Ethan’s expression darkened slightly. “You dated someone to please your parents?”
“I mean,” Paige started, thinking about his question. “I didn’t know I was doing that at first. But, looking back on our relationship, I think that’s why I stayed with him for so long.”
“How long were you together?”
“Ten years.” She said it flatly, the weight of it still ridiculous even now. “We were engaged, actually. For the last year.”
His brows shot up. “Wow.”
Paige sighed. “We weren’t right for each other. Derek was a good guy. At least, at first. But he was obsessed with his job. The hospital came first, always. It was like I just became another task on his to-do list.” She shook her head. “Eventually, we called it off.”
Ethan studied her for a long beat. “And your family supported you in the split?” His question was tentative, like he was afraid of the answer.
She let out a sharp chuckle. “Oh, no. My mom still asks me why we don’t get back together. In fact, my parents still invite him to family dinners. This last Thanksgiving, my father carved the turkey while chatting with my ex-fiancé about his latest procedure. It’s really weird.”
Ethan’s mouth opened in shock. “Ouch. That’s messed up.”
She turned her head toward him, absorbing the understanding in his eyes. For whatever reason, he got it. Maybe he even got her. “That’s why I killed off Hans.”
His brows pulled together. “Hans? With the margarita explosion?”
Paige nodded. “When I created him, he was based on my ex. Readers loved him. But after the breakup, writing about him was torture. Especially since my heroine was supposed to be madly in love with him. I couldn’t take it anymore.”
Realization dawned on Ethan’s face. “Oh, wow. You killed off that character because he reminded you of your ex?”
She lifted her shoulder. “Yeah.”
Ethan let out a stunned laugh. “That’sincredible.”
Paige’s breath hitched at the admiration in his response. And for the first time, she felt like maybe—just maybe—someone understood.
She grinned back at him, but sobered up when she added, “But my readers will never forgive me for it.”
“Tell them why you did it. Everyone’s had an ex who made them miserable. It’s relatable. Maybe even re-release the book with an author’s note explaining it.”
She blinked at him. Was that crazy or brilliant?
Ethan leaned back in his chair. “We’ve all had that one ex. I know I have.”
Paige tilted her head, instantly intrigued—but before she could ask, the door swung open and the doctor stepped in.
She gasped. Her stomach jumped into her throat. If the hospital blanket were any bigger, she would’ve yanked it over her head.
Standing in the doorway, staring at her in confusion, was her ex.
“Paige?” Derek’s brow creased. He glanced at his clipboard. “I was looking for an Ethan Cole. What are you doing here?”
