Chapter 03: Hi, Husband.

Ethan Blackwood's POV

“Can you let me spend at least one damn day at home before blowing up my phone?” I groaned, holding the phone to my ear as I sprawled across my bed, one hand tugging lazily at my damp hair.

On the other end, Jared’s laugh was smug. “Bro, stop pretending like you don’t miss me. You’re literally sitting in that mansion bored out of your mind.”

“Correction,” I smirked, “I was sitting bored out of my mind. Now I’ve got a new housemate. Way more entertaining than your ugly face popping up on FaceTime.”

“Ahhh, the infamous adopted sister your dad was talking about.” Jared dragged the words. “So what’s she like? Cute? Boring? Trouble?”

I chuckled low. “Definitely not boring. Trouble? Maybe. Cute?” My lips tilted as the image of Lila in that silk robe from earlier flickered through my mind. The way she bit her lip nervously, the way her laugh had slipped out like it didn’t belong to a stranger… “Yeah, she’s cute.”

“Don’t ‘yeah’ me, Ethan. Cute how? Like..you’d ruin your life'cute, or just pat on the head' cute?”

“Shut up.” I threw a pillow across the room even though he couldn’t see it. “She’s off-limits.”

“Mmhm. That didn’t sound convincing.” Jared whistled. “Anyway, stop dodging me. Tonight. You’re coming.”

“Not happening.” I leaned back, arms behind my head. “I’m not in the mood for your wild parties, man.”

“It’s not my party,” Jared corrected. “It’s Stephanie’s birthday.”

I stilled. “Stephanie?”

“Yeah.” He chuckled knowingly. “Your ex. Ring a bell?”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s exactly why I’m not going. Why the hell would I put myself in the same room as her and her perfect little circle of designer demons?”

“Because, my guy,” Jared’s tone dropped, “you need to show her you’ve moved on. She’s already parading that new boyfriend of hers like some trophy. You think she won’t rub it in your face if you skip tonight?”

I clenched my jaw, thinking of Stephanie’s smug smirk. Jared wasn’t wrong. The last thing I wanted was for her to think she’d broken me.

“Fine,” I exhaled, dragging my hand over my face. “I’ll go. But I swear if I regret this...”

“You won’t,” Jared cut in, victorious. “Just bring that charm of yours and..hell, bring your new sister. That’ll shut Stephanie right up.”

I rose up. "Hmm,, that's a blast idea you got there."

"I'm the highest in the room." he shrugged.

“Shut up,” I said again, but this time I was grinning. “I’ll figure something out.”

By the time I hung up, my mind was already spinning with possibilities.

***

I found myself standing outside Lila’s room, knocking twice before pushing the door slightly open.

She peeked out, wide eyed, her hair falling in loose waves around her face. “Ethan?”

“Don’t look so surprised,” I teased, stepping inside like I owned the place. My eyes swept over her room. “Wow. Dad really went all out, huh? Looks like a damn hotel suite.”

Lila rolled her eyes but smiled. “Yeah, it’s… something.”

I flopped onto the armchair like I belonged there. “So. Big plans tonight?”

She shook her head. “Just figuring out how not to get lost in this giant house.”

“Perfect.” I leaned forward, grinning. “Then you’re coming with me.”

Her brows knitted. “Coming where?”

“To a party.” I spread my arms like it was obvious. “My ex’s birthday party, actually.”

Her jaw dropped. “Wait...your ex? And you want me to come?”

I smirked. “Exactly. I need her to see me with someone else. Someone gorgeous. Someone who’ll make her choke on her champagne when she realizes she lost me.”

Lila laughed, that soft, melodic laugh that made something tug in my chest. “And you think I’m the person for that job?”

“You’re perfect for it.” I winked. “Besides, it’s not about you. It’s about me winning.”

She folded her arms, biting her lip like she was thinking. “Okay… but, uh, I have no idea what to wear. Or how to even act at some fancy party like that.”

“Lucky for you,” I stood up dramatically, “I’m a goddamn fashionista.”

“Oh, really?” she teased. “I thought you were just a rich boy with good cheekbones.”

“Both can be true,” I grinned. “Now, stand up. We’re raiding your closet.”

I opened the wardrobe and whistled. “Damn. Dad really does spoil you already.” My hands skimmed over silks, velvets, lace. “But we need something that screams eat your heart out, Stephanie.”

Lila hovered by the bed nervously. “I don’t even know what that means.”

“It means,” I said, pulling out a sleek black dress that looked like it was made for sin, “this one.”

Her eyes widened. “That’s… kind of short.”

“Exactly.” I tossed it at her. “Trust me.”

She disappeared into the bathroom, and I leaned against the doorframe, smirking to myself.

When she stepped out, I swear my breath stalled. The dress hugged every curve, the fabric slipping against her skin like it had been sewn on her body.

I blinked, then forced a grin. “Okay, wow. Remind me never to underestimate you again.”

Her cheeks flushed. “Stop staring.”

“Not possible.” I circled her, tugging lightly at the strap to adjust it. “Needs a little fixing.” My fingers brushed her bare shoulder, lingering longer than necessary. Her skin was warm, soft.

I moved to her hair next. “Let it down.”

She shook it free, and I ran my fingers through it, tousling it slightly. “There. Now you look like you didn’t even try, which is the whole point. Sexy, effortless, lethal.”

Lila laughed nervously, twisting to look at the mirror. “I look… different.”

“You look perfect,” I said before I could stop myself.

Our eyes met in the mirror, and for a second, the air shifted. My chest tightened, my pulse kicking up.

She smiled shyly, breaking the moment. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously good at this,” I corrected quickly, pulling back with a grin. “Now, twirl for me.”

She did, laughing as the hem flared around her thighs. I let my gaze trail over her once more, unapologetic.

“Damn, Stephanie’s not ready,” I murmured, shaking my head.

When she stopped, I pulled her into a playful hug. She fit against me softer than I expected, her laugh muffled against my chest. My hand lingered at her waist a beat too long before I let go.

“See?” I said lightly, covering the tension building in my gut. “We make a great team.”