เข้าสู่ระบบEthan's POV Adrian grabs my face in a blink and leans forward, taking my lips into his mouth. I close my eyes before I even register what is happening. Without any warning. I was taken aback by his sudden act, a gasp slipping past my lips before I can stop it. But then he intensifies the kiss, making me moan low into his mouth as he harshly suck on my lips and teases with his tongue. His kiss was fast, feisty, hungry in a way that leaves no room for thought. His hand slides from my shoulder to the nape of my neck and he grabs it from behind, making my neck crane up, giving him better access. My fingers curl weakly against his chest, not pushing him away, not entirely. "Oh shoot," grandpa gasps. My eyes fling open and I feel knocked out of the intoxicating haze. Though it was barely a minute, I felt dizzy, my mind still catching up to my body. However Adrian does not let me go. His grip on my nape stays firm, unbothered, like the voice behind him means nothing at all. "Boys, at
Ethan's POVI slap Adrian hard across the face. The sound cracks through the room, sharper than I intended, sharper than I expected from my own hand. His head turns with the force of it. A beat of silence follows. My palm stings. My chest heaves.His sharp, disgusting comments, his doubts about my character, had been falling on me day after day, chipping away at something I did not even realize I was still holding together. I was fuming. My whole body shook with fury, a tremor running from my shoulders down to my fingertips."Just zip it," I seethe. My voice is low and cracked at the edges. "Zip your filthy mouth."Adrian stares at me, stunned. His hand hovers near his cheek but does not touch it, like acknowledging the sting would mean acknowledging something else too. I glared at him, my breath ragged, my jaw locked so tight it aches."Just by seeing something on a phone you don't have any fucking right to throw degrading comments at me." I point my finger at him, stepping closer. D
Adrian's POV I was ten minutes from home when Noah called. Mrs. Marlow, our newest client, had gotten cold feet over a clause in the lease she'd already agreed to twice. Two hours later, after walking her through the same paragraph three different ways, I finally had her signature and a headache that sat heavy behind my eyes. By the time I climbed the stairs at the mansion, all I wanted was silence. What I found instead was Grandpa with his mouth stuffed full of cookies, cheeks puffed out like a child caught red handed. "Grandpa." He froze mid chew. Then, quick as he could, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, crumbs still clinging to his lip. "They're sugarfree," he said, like that settled anything. "Ethan got them for me." "Still doesn't mean you finish half the box in one sitting." I held my hand out. "Give it back." He pouted at me, a grown man of his age, arms crossing over his chest in open rebellion. For a moment I thought he'd actually argue it. Then,
Ethan's POV The mansion grew closer with every passing mile, its familiar silhouette rising against the darkening sky, and something in my chest tightened with each meter the car covered. *I don't want to go in.* *Not yet. Not today.* I wanted to run. Wanted to disappear somewhere quiet for just a few hours, somewhere that didn't hold Grandpa's hopeful smile or Adrian's cold, knowing eyes waiting for me behind those gates. But I knew what waited on the other side of that decision too. Grandpa, puzzled and hurt by my absence. Adrian, irritated at having to explain it, or worse, irritated that I'd dared to keep his grandfather waiting. I sighed, gripping the wheel tighter. *Just go home. Just face it.* Just before the turn that led toward the Blackwood estate, my foot pressed the brake. I knew the consequences. I was fully aware of what waited for me, of how Adrian might react, of the explanations I'd have to give. And still, my leg refused to move, refused to release t
Ethan's POVThe rest of the day passed in a strange, disoriented blur.I sat at my desk, staring at the same spreadsheet for what must have been twenty minutes without actually reading a single number on it, my mind looping endlessly back to the same handful of moments.*Grandpa's smile. The word engagement. Adrian's laughter. The darkness in his eyes right after.*None of it made sense together. None of it fit the way pieces of a person were supposed to fit.I pressed my palms against my face, exhaling slowly.*Bound to his orders. He said that like it was nothing. Like I was nothing more than a decision waiting to be made for me.*And yet.And yet some small, foolish part of me kept circling back to a different memory entirely, one that had nothing to do with warnings or cold grey eyes narrowing inches from my face.I let my eyes drift shut for just a moment, the office noise fading into something distant and unimportant.---(A few years back)It had been a warm evening, golden lig
Ethan's POVAdrian sat sprawled across the recliner, utterly unbothered, his arms stretched along the headrest, one leg crossed lazily over the other. There was a mischief lingering in the curve of his mouth, a smugness that made my blood simmer just beneath the surface.I threw my hands up, exasperated."Well?" I demanded. "Aren't you going to say something?"I expected him to speak. To calm the storm his grandfather had just dropped on me like a bomb waiting to detonate. To say anything at all about the word still ringing in my ears.He tilted his head slightly, shaking one leg in idle rhythm."What?" he finally asked, as though he'd only just noticed I was standing there."Don't you have something to say?" I pressed, cocking a brow."About what?""As if you don't know what Grandpa said." I huffed, crossing my arms. "Just now."He blinked, feigning confusion with an ease that made my irritation spike further, his lips slowly forming an exaggerated little "o" before he leaned forward
Ethan’s POVHow long was he watching us? And why?Before I could excuse or walk to him, Adrians walked to me, his eyes throwing daggers and my breath hitched. "Can I just borrow my partner from you?", he asks, holding me from my arms.His hold tight made me witter in pain but forcing a smile I walk
Ethan’s POVIt was 5:00 pm and I was resting in my room thinking Adrian is off to work, when I found him walking in my room making me startled. "Aren't you supposed to come at 7:00 pm?", I blurted my thoughts loudly."Is it?", he cocks his brows at me. "I thought I was a free king, and I can chang
Ethan’s POVThe car stopped in front of the big black gates, standing tall, towering up with all its authority and glory. The name beside it engraved on the marbles in gold read “Blackwood Mansion”. I gulp as the guard signals the car to pass inside and soon an extraordinarily big garden, with a fo
Ethan’s POV"Sign this paper, and you'll get unlimited money access!", he smirks as I look at him in despair. His voice is smooth, but at the same time, deadly. He sits across from me as if he owns everything, including my fate. His face is calm, body relaxed while the darkened orbs tell a differe







