After I died, the CEO's ex-boyfriend went crazy

Ethan Thorne was a rising star in the business world. And I, Olivia, was his kept woman. On my birthday, Ethan’s “one true love,” Chloe, had a severe depressive episode. To be with her, Ethan left me stranded in the middle of nowhere. I ran into a serial killer and was brutally murdered. Later, Ethan regretted his actions, realizing I was his true love. But by then, it was too late. I was already dead.

1.

I’d been with Ethan for seven years. This was the first time he'd offered to celebrate my birthday. Excited, I booked a weekend getaway at a secluded mountain lodge, looking forward to some quality time together. I even had some good news to share with him. We were halfway up the mountain when Chloe’s call came through. Chloe was Ethan’s first love, his childhood sweetheart. When Ethan’s family business went under, Chloe abruptly left for Europe, breaking up with him in the process. Heartbroken, Ethan turned to me, the girl who’d always adored him. Chloe had returned two months ago, after seven years. I’d thought Ethan’s feelings for her would have faded, but the moment her voice filled the car, Ethan became a shell of himself. Physically he was beside me, but his mind was miles away. Ironically, that day was supposed to be our engagement party. Later, I learned Chloe suffered from severe depression. Seven years ago, her mother had forced her to leave Ethan, threatening her own life. The guilt and heartbreak triggered Chloe’s depression, which worsened over the years, leading to multiple suicide attempts. Finally, her mother relented and allowed her to return for treatment. But it was too late. Ethan was with me, and we were planning to get married. Chloe’s depression spiraled out of control. Ethan and Chloe were like the hero and heroine of a tragic romance, kept apart by a cruel twist of fate. And I? I was the inconvenient obstacle, the other woman. Everyone wanted me gone – Ethan’s mother, his employees… It was as if my existence tainted their sacred love story.

2.

“Ethan, I’m feeling so awful, I can barely breathe. Can you come see me?” Every time I heard that voice, I knew it meant trouble. Ethan drove on, his hands steady on the wheel, but I could feel the turmoil raging inside him. I stayed silent, clinging to a sliver of hope. He didn’t reply to Chloe, nor did he end the call. I clutched the ultrasound picture in my hand, my grip tightening and loosening. After an internal battle, I decided to tell him. "Ethan, I’m preg—" A thud echoed from the phone. "Chloe!" Ethan slammed on the brakes. The carefully composed mask on his face crumbled. "Get out." The ultrasound picture was nearly disintegrating in my hand. I forced a smile that felt worse than tears. "Ethan, you promised you’d spend my birthday with me…" "Get out!" He was barely containing his anger and panic. I’d lost. Completely and utterly. Tears welled up, but I swallowed them before they could fall. I got out of the car. He spun the vehicle around and sped off without a backward...