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Chapter 27: Lines in the Sand

Author: Ij Gabriel
last update Last Updated: 2025-10-27 01:36:33

Ronan’s POV

Lunch meetings were supposed to be simple.

Shake hands, talk numbers, make sure the client thinks I’m the kind of man who never loses control.

Today was going fine. The restaurant was all glass walls and polished marble, the kind of place where even the air smelled expensive. My client, Martin, liked to talk too much, but he was signing a three-year deal, so I let him.

I’d just finished my drink when I noticed him.

Ethan Vale.

Of course.

He was standing across the bar area, talking to some studio exec. Tan suit, open collar, that practiced Hollywood charm turned back on like a switch. For a second, I almost didn’t recognize him—he looked thinner, tired. Then he saw me.

His jaw tightened. He turned back to his drink like I was invisible.

Martin was still talking about sponsorships, but I’d stopped listening. All I could think about was Sarra’s face last night after that hallway scene. The way her hands shook even when she tried to smile.

“Excuse me a sec,” I said, standing
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