I spun toward Ethan meeting his full intense gaze as my chest tightening. “Can you just try yours.”He pulled out his phone then glanced at the screen before he shook his head. “Nothing.”I clenched my fists trying to get a grip of myself as my dear was getting the better of me“You have got to be kidding me.”It became hard to breathe as my vision slightly blurring at the corner of my eyes, I couldn't see well as my head was banging. No, no, no.“Sophia,” Ethan’s voice cut through the fog in my head but even at that I barely heard him.I pressed myself against the cold wall trying to force air into my lungs, anything I could do to breathe but it wasn’t working. The walls were closing in and my heartbeat was becoming too loud nothing I tried could make it stop, the only thing I could do was to feel my skin getting wet with sweat.I gasped, clutching my chest. I can’t breathe! I can’t—Then he did something unexpected.He touched my face then he slid his hand from my face to the back of
The rest of the day was a blur. No matter how much I tried to focus, my mind kept circling back to the elevator and obviously to him.I was supposed to be preparing reports, but all I could think about was Ethan, the way his hands were in my hair, the quiet way he had admitted that his mother used to do the same for him.It threw me completely off balance and I have had enough of it, enough of his twisted games, enough of the taunts and his manipulative ways, just enough of him.One moment, he was giving me impossible deadlines just to watch me struggle; the next, he was finding excuses to keep me close, and the next he was humiliating me in my apartment.Today, the elevator stunt was the last straw.Because today, he was kind. Patient, even. He could have mocked me or even used my panic attack against me, but instead he had calmed me down and held me together when I was at my lowest.And it wasn’t just the elevator.I caught myself thinking back to the night he forced his way to my a
The air was heavy, I swallowed hard, my throat dry as sandpaper, but it didn’t stop the heat crawling up my neck, it didn't stop the way my thighs pressed together, desperate for his touch or anything to ease my feeling.And I knew he saw how his words were making me uncomfortable, the bastard was enjoying every second of it.He tilted his head, watching me like he had all the time in the world. His lips curled at the edges as I could see his dark amusement.“You don’t have to say anything, Sophia.” His voice was softer now, but still very much less dangerous. “Your body already told me everything.”I let out a shaky weak breath, I needed to regain control but my brain refused to cooperate.Ethan took a slow step closer, his chest nearly brushing mine. “Still pretending, sweetheart?” His gaze dropped, dragging over my body in a way that made my skin feel watched. “Even though I can see your nipples through that tight little blouse?”I choked feeling half shock, half turned on.I force
The walk home was supposed to clear my head but it didn’t, if anything it made.me think even more.After tormenting me for weeks then out of the blue he wanted me on his arms at some high-society event like I was his prized possession.It was never going to happenHe had models and women who I knew would sell their soul without any hesitation or guilt for his offer, so why didn't just ask them and leave me the hell alone?I sighed, reaching the corner to my apartment building only to stop dead in my tracks.At my door there was a sleek black box, I frowned, stepping closer, there was no label, branding or anything that could make me identify what it was, it was just pure luxury staring up at me.Feeling very hesitant, I picked it up and carried it inside, kicking the door shut behind me. My fingers were practically shaking, this could be a bomb or something else, but I didn't want to sound ridiculous, I wasn't that important for someone to send a bomb so with shaky hands, I traced the
Although I was fuming when the makeup team had barged into my apartment, uninvited and very much determined to carry out the devils orders but now, hours later, sitting in front of a grand mirror I was pleased with what they did.My hair had been pulled into a sleek tight bun with not a single strand out of place, it looked as though I was missing a tiara on my head.It framed my face accentuating the cheekbone that I never knew I had, my reflection felt too polished and refined to be me. My nails, which were an uneven and rough mess from all the stress biting, were now painted a bold scarlet red. I ran my fingers against my palm feeling very powerful.My makeup was another transformation entirely. My eyes had a smoky look and my lips were a lighter shade of red. Every, every detail had been done to perfection, I now looked like a version of myself that I wasn’t sure I recognized.And then there was the dress that clung to me like a second skin, it framed my body in a way that made i
Ethan took my hand, guiding me into the limousine, and the moment I stepped inside, I froze.I had never been in a limousine before.For a second, I forgot everything, I forgot the heat of his hand against mine, forgot how his fingers had begun to drift over the exposed skin of my thigh where the slit of my dress parted.All I could do was stare at extreme luxury I was in.The interior was sleek, impossibly smooth black leather stretching across plush seats. There was a subtle golden glow on the polished wood panels that was reflecting off crystal glasses neatly arranged at the bar. Expensive bottles stood in perfect alignment, their labels unfamiliar but obviously luxury.I sank into the seat, running my fingers over the leather. It was ridiculously soft in a way that made me feel like I had stepped into a different world where I didn’t belong.Like Cinderella in someone else’s carriage.I glanced at Ethan, only to find him already watching me. He sat with effortlessly with his damn
The moment we stepped inside, the sheer extravagance of the room nearly swallowed me whole.Golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their glow casting reflections across the polished marble floors.Soft classical music played in the background, masking the hushed murmurs of men in expensive suits and women dripping in jewelry that probably cost more than my entire net worth.Every detail was perfection—from the extravagant roses adorning each table to the poised waitstaff moving like clockwork. It screamed a level of wealth I had only ever seen in movies.I swallowed hard, suddenly hyper-aware of how out of place I should have felt.But then I remembered whose hand I was holding.Ethan freaking Blackwood and the man was literally richer than God.His grip was firm, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. The warmth of his touch anchored me, a silent reassurance that I wasn’t some outsider crashing into a world I didn’t belong to.I glanced up, only to find him already watching me
As Ethan pulled me even closer, I could feel the tension radiating off him, it was sharp, controlled, and coiled like a predator ready to strike. Across from us, Victor only grinned wider, clearly savoring the effect he had on Ethan."Always a pleasure, Blackwood. We must catch up later," he said smoothly before strolling away, completely unbothered.I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding and glanced up at Ethan. His grip on me was still firm, possessive, as if he had forgotten to let go."Do you always look like you’re about to commit murder at social events?" I asked, giving him a playful look. "Or is it just him?"He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he plucked a champagne flute from a passing waiter and pressed it into my hand."Drink."I rolled my eyes. "Avoiding the question, noted."Before he could respond, another voice cut through the air—smooth, commanding, and laced with amusement."You must be Ethan Blackwood’s date for the evening."I turned to find an older
I turned back to Ethan, his hand still hovering like he wanted to reach for me again but didn’t dare.“Ethan,” I said, almost begging him to say, “What were you going to say?”His eyes met mine. “Don’t trust her, Sophie.”My pulse jumped. “Why? Make me believe you just don't tell me what to do.” He opened his mouth to speak but then Rachel appeared with a smile on her face.She was dressed in something effortless and expensive, her designer sunglasses pushed up into her waves. She looked like a magazine cover come to life.“Sophie, oh my God,” she said, eyeing me from head to toe. “That dress is stunning on you, you’re glowing!”I blinked, still wanting Ethan to speak, but I could tell he wasn't going to Rachel's gaze went right past Ethan like he wasn’t even breathing in the same room.“I’m parked outside. Come on, they’re expecting us you are gonna thank me by noon.”She held out her hand and I was about to take it, Ethan stepped between us.“She’s not going with you.”Rachel’s sm
Sophie's POVRachel kept on talking as if what Ethan was saying wasn't her concern.“Well don't listen to Ethan, what I planned was amazing.” Her eyes gleaming with excitement. “It will be just us girls and I have got us booked at Valentina’s, with all the VIP things, steam rooms, facials, massages—the works.” She paused and glared at Ethan. “You will love it, Sophie. So relaxing, play you need to loosen up.”I opened my mouth, unsure what to say.Ethan didn’t say anything., but I could sense that he had a lot to say. “I thought it would be nice for her to get a break from all… this.”She waved vaguely toward him, but we both knew what she meant, that Ethan was the problem here.That’s when Ethan coughed out loud.Rachel flinched before regaining her sugar-drenched composure. “Just saying—it’s bonding and I am trying.”Ethan stepped forward, clenching his jaw. “Sophie is not going anywhere.”Rachel scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder like the queen of chaos she thought she wa
Sophie's POVEthan was pacing my room, like a mad man on rampage and I actually understood where he was coming from.“He’s been sending money to Callahan.” He repeated.He kept walking and then finally he started staggering and the, his back but the wall and he sank like his legs gave up on him, he looked like he was about to drown.His hands clawed at his shirt, as he was hyperventilating.I walked up to him and then dropped to my knees to stay beside him. “Ethan, hey please look at me.”But he didn’t look.“Ethan—look at me.” I repeated as I cupped his face trying to make him feel calm, my thumbs brushed over his cheeks. His eyes were glassy like he wanted to cry, but he was trying to hold it together.“Breathe with me,” I said calmly. “Okay? In... one, two... hold it. Now out. Nice and slow.”I repeated it until I felt him mimic my breathing and then his breathing calmed down, our backs were against the wall looking like two people whose life was over.He let his head fall forward
Sophie's POVI didn't know what to say, but Ethan was giving me a very apologetic look, but my look was anything but accommodating.He needed to know that his mere presence wasn't going to change anything.“What the hell are you doing in my house?”“I need just five minutes of your time.” He said and I nodded because it was rare to see Ethan Blackwood begging for something from a common girl like me. “I came to apologize.”A laugh escaped from my lips before I could stop it. “It’s a little too late for that, don’t you think?”“Sophie—”“No, do not say my name like we are still fine and like you didn’t shut me down and tell me to mind my business when all I did was trying to care.”He flinched at words, I was pleased that she was flinching like he should.“I was angry and I wasn’t thinking—”“Exactly,” I cut him short. “You weren’t thinking Ethan you were freaking spiraling, and I tried to help and you practically told me to disappear.”His silence only made me more angry and when I lo
Ethan's POVI have been missing Sophie, and I have been a terrible asshole that doesn't deserve her one bit.she was too kind, he was like a freaking saint who but up with me ever fucking time, she could do way better than a broken bastard like me but she still stayed.But it doesn't change the fact that I still wanted her.I know I hurt her. Maybe not with my hands, but with my words first and then my silence.I could apologize. But I won’t, because apologies don’t fix people like me.I want to make myself believe that she was better off without a sadistic mother fucker like me and a woman like her needs someone softer, who doesn’t wake up every morning with a bitter ass mood and snaps when he didn't .Still… I miss her.But not enough to seek her out.But the only thing I've been doing right this week is following Callahan, and the bastard's life was indeed monotonous.I parked my car behind him, as he stepped out of his sleek black BMW at Silver Pines Golf Club, he was laughing int
ONE WEEK LATER- Sophie's POVIt had been a week, seven freaking long, quiet days since Ethan last spoke to me.He hadn’t called or even texted, I didn't even get a forwarded meme or a “hey.”And I didn’t reach out either, not because I didn’t want to, but because I meant what I said. If he wants to talk to me, he knows where to find me.And more importantly, he owed me an apology. I wasn’t going to chase someone who could so easily brush me off like I was just another person in his life So when Monday came and I went to the site for the hotel expansion because we have been neglecting it. If he wanted to pretend I didn’t exist, fine. I could still work without him.I didn't know if it was because I hadn't been here for a while but everything came together just perfectly, to say that it was stunning was an incredible understatement.It was regal with floor to ceiling windows and it didn’t look like something built in under a year.“This is impressive,” I muttered to myself as I smooth
We were just about to leave when the receptionist called me back."Miss? Miss — could I have a word?"I turned, blinking, to find her standing halfway out from behind her desk, her hands were fidgeting nervously with the hem of her cardigan as she glanced around, as if afraid of being overheard.Would you mind if I spoke to you... alone for a moment?" she asked, her voice polite but still sounding very urgent.I blinked but before I could answer, she turned her apologetic smile toward Ethan."Sir, if you don't mind—?" she gestured vaguely toward the parking lot.Ethan looked between us, frowning slightly, looking at her very suspiciously as he always looked at everyone. But after a few seconds, he gave her a small shrug and muttered, "I'll be in the car," before stepping fully outside."I'm sorry," she said in a rush, "I just... I needed to catch you before you left."I shifted my bag higher on my shoulder. "It’s okay. What is it?"She glanced toward the door, as if checking to make
As we left the hospital, I took in a deep breath, but it didn’t help.Ethan walked in front without waiting for me, his shoulders tight, his head down like he, I hurried after him.We pulled out of the hospital lot as we drove in silence, there was a lot I wanted to ask but I couldn't find the right words to say them.But then finally, I couldn’t take it anymore."So," I said carefully trying to keep my tone neutral, "What’s the plan? What exactly do you want to do now?"He stared straight ahead as his eyes were locked on the road. His knuckles were so tight on the steering wheel, they looked almost white and bloodless."What else? We will visit Rose Callahan," he said without hesitation.I studied him quietly, feeling his uneasy he was, there was more to this, so much more he wasn't willing to share."Ethan," I said slowly, "I’m not dumb. Something’s going on between you and your ex-stepmother, I am not dumb not to notice and that whole thing back there? That wasn’t nothing."His re
The second she said his name, it was like an electric shock shot straight through Ethan. His body tensed, his usual composed exterior cracking as his eyes locked onto the nurse with an intensity that almost startled me. His reaction wasn’t subtle in any way it was as if someone had just tossed a bucket of ice-cold water over him, and he was struggling to process it.He looked both relieved and scared at the same time, and it was understandable. I could practically feel his anxiety pressing on my chest.“You worked with Dr. Callahan?” Ethan asked, his voice desperate. The nurse blinked at him, a little startled by his intensity. “Yeah. Unfortunately,” she muttered as she didn't try to hide her bitterness. “For a long time.”“Can I—” Ethan paused, swallowing the words as though they were fighting their way out of him. “Can I ask you some questions about him?”He asked it like she was offering something precious, like every word she could give him was the missing piece to a puzzle tha