My Birthday, My Downfall novel Chapter 54

Philip Carter is five years older than me, yet I've never called him "brother."

I've watched him go through one girlfriend after another.

And with each one, I obediently called them "sister-in-law."

On my twenty-second birthday, I waited all day, but Philip never showed up.

I made a wish — that I would never like him again.

As the day ended, I went downstairs to take out the trash, and there, I saw a familiar figure.

It was Ethan Thomas, Philip's friend.

"Ethan, why are you here?"

"Philip couldn't make it, so he asked me to deliver your gift."

"Oh, thank you. What about your gift?"

He smiled and said,

"I prepared two gifts. I'll decide which one to give you after you answer my question."

"Autumn Smith, liking him must be exhausting, right? How about trying someone else for a change? Be my girlfriend."

I stared at Ethan in surprise.

When did he figure out that I liked Philip?

I thought I had hidden it well.

I never let any hint of jealousy slip in front of Philip.

"Ethan, I don't understand what you mean."

He pursed his lips, his smile still in place.

But his eyes seemed a little nervous.

"Let me rephrase," he said.

"Autumn Smith, I like you."

"I want to ask if you'd give me a chance, to date me?"

But he's Philip's best friend.

When I first met Philip at the age of five, Ethan was right there beside him.

Come to think of it, I've known Ethan for seventeen years.

I stared at his face and suddenly remembered the wish I made tonight.

Ethan chuckled at me for staring at him.

"Why are you looking at me like that?

"Do you find it troublesome?"

I shook my head.

It's not trouble, just a bit of a surprise.

Ethan was different from Philip.

I've known him for so long, and it seemed like I had never seen him in a relationship.

For a while, I even saw him as a rival.

On the other hand, Philip was never short of women around him.

The thought made my heart sting again.

A sharp pain shot through me, and I looked at him and spoke.

"Funny how I made a wish to find love tonight, and here you are, right on time.

"Ethan, you must be sent by the matchmaker.

"In that case, I'll follow fate and give us a shot at this relationship!"

Ethan froze, clearly surprised that I actually agreed.

"Good. I just called Autumn, but she didn't pick up. I thought she was mad at me."

Ethan chuckled softly.

"No, she just went downstairs to throw out the trash and forgot her phone."

"Ah, I see. She's soft-hearted, never mad at me.

"Wait, how do you know she doesn't have her phone? Is she right next to you? Let her pick up."

I quickly turned around, afraid Ethan would hand me the phone.

I had just agreed to be his girlfriend, but now Philip was asking to speak with me.

It felt so awkward.

But instead, Ethan turned his back, lowered his voice, and said,

"She's not in a position to pick up. If you have something to say, just tell me, and I'll pass it along."

"Then tell her, happy birthday, Autumn. Hope she finds love this year. Every time we go out to eat, I have to explain that she's not my girlfriend so people don't get the wrong idea."

Philip's teasing voice made me feel embarrassed.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.

Ethan lowered his voice and chuckled lightly.

"It won't happen again."

Philip was quiet for a second, then his voice turned cold.

"What do you mean? Is she dating someone?"

Ethan took a step closer, his free hand gently taking mine.

I froze, trying to pull my hand away, but he tightened his grip.

Ethan looked into my eyes, his voice soft as he said,

"Yeah, she's with me now. From now on, she's my girlfriend. If you're done, you can hang up now."