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Claimed
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2026-03-08 18:31:39Chapter 9
Lana – POV The table falls silent. Four pairs of eyes are now on me. Daniel looks confused. Selene looks curious. And Ethan… Ethan looks completely calm. Like he didn’t just announce to everyone that I’m having dinner with him tonight. My heart is beating so loudly I’m surprised no one else can hear it. Daniel breaks the silence first. “You already have plans with Lana tonight?” he asks his brother. Ethan nods once. “Yes.” Daniel glances at me. “You didn’t mention that.” Because I didn’t know about it. I force a polite smile. “Mr. Hale asked me earlier to discuss some restructuring details.” The lie comes out surprisingly smoothly. Ethan’s eyes flicker with quiet amusement. Selene watches both of us carefully. Then she smiles. “Well, work dinners are important,” she says lightly. But something about the way she says it feels like she doesn’t completely believe it. Daniel shrugs. “Fair enough.” Lunch ends soon after. But the tension doesn’t disappear. If anything, it grows heavier. As we stand, Daniel says cheerfully, “I’ll see you tomorrow morning then, Lana.” “Of course.” Selene turns to Ethan. “We still have that event tonight.” “I’ll join you later,” he replies calmly. Her eyebrows lift slightly. But she says nothing more. Instead she gives me one last assessing look before walking away. Daniel follows her. Now only Ethan and I remain standing near the table. The moment they disappear around the corner, I turn to him. “You just invited yourself to dinner with me.” His expression remains calm. “You’re welcome.” “That wasn’t a compliment.” His mouth curves slightly. “I know.” I lower my voice. “Everyone saw that.” “Yes.” “You shouldn’t do things like that.” “Why?” “Because your fiancée was sitting right there.” His expression changes slightly. A faint shadow crossing his eyes. “Selene is… a family arrangement.” “That still makes her your fiancée.” “Technically.” I cross my arms. “This is exactly why last night shouldn’t have happened.” He studies me carefully. “You regret it.” “No.” The word leaves my mouth instantly. His eyes soften slightly. “But you think it was a mistake,” he says. “Yes.” He nods slowly. “That’s unfortunate.” “Why?” “Because I don’t.” My stomach tightens. Ethan steps closer. Not enough for anyone across the room to notice. But close enough that my pulse immediately reacts. “You’re still thinking about it,” he murmurs. I look away. “That’s irrelevant.” “Is it?” “Yes.” His gaze drops briefly to my lips. Then back to my eyes. “Then dinner tonight should be easy.” I sigh. “Ethan…” “Yes?” “You can’t keep doing this.” “Doing what?” “Looking at me like that.” His voice lowers. “Like what?” I hesitate. “Like I belong to you.” For a moment he says nothing. Then something changes in his expression. Something darker. Something more possessive. He steps even closer now. Close enough that my back almost touches the table behind me. “Maybe that’s because,” he says quietly, “I’m starting to feel like you do.” My breath catches. “That’s ridiculous.” “Is it?” “Yes.” “You spent the night with me.” “That doesn’t mean anything.” His eyebrow lifts slightly. “Doesn’t it?” “No.” He studies my face for a moment. Then his voice softens slightly. “Look at me and say that again.” I hesitate. Because if I do… I’m not sure I’ll believe it myself. But before I can answer, a voice interrupts us. “Ethan?” Selene. She stands at the end of the room, watching us. Her expression is calm. But her eyes are sharp. Very sharp. Ethan steps away immediately. The distance between us returns. Professional. Safe. Selene walks toward us slowly. “I forgot my phone,” she says. Her gaze moves between us. “You two seem… busy.” “We were discussing the restructuring plan,” Ethan replies calmly. Selene smiles. “Of course.” But something about the way she says it makes my stomach twist. Because she doesn’t look convinced. Not even a little. She turns to me. “Enjoy your dinner tonight, Ms. Vale.” Her tone is perfectly polite. But the meaning underneath it feels like a warning. Then she turns and walks away again. Leaving Ethan and me standing there. I exhale slowly. “She knows something is going on,” I whisper. “Maybe.” “That’s not good.” “No.” I rub my forehead. “This situation is a disaster.” Ethan doesn’t look worried. If anything… He looks almost amused. “You’re overthinking.” “Am I?” “Yes.” I stare at him. “Your fiancée just caught us standing two inches apart.” “Technically it was three.” “That’s not the point.” He chuckles quietly. “You worry too much.” “And you don’t worry enough.” “Maybe.” Then he leans slightly closer again. His voice drops. “Seven tonight.” “What?” “Dinner.” “You’re assuming I agreed.” “You didn’t refuse.” “That’s not the same thing.” His eyes darken slightly. “You’ll come.” My pulse quickens. “You sound very confident.” “I am.” “Why?” A slow smile appears. “Because you’re curious about me.” He pauses. Then adds quietly— “And I know you felt the same thing I did last night.” My heart betrays me by beating faster. Because the worst part is… He’s right. And that’s exactly what makes this so dangerous.
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