Chapter 11

Mia froze.

The voice behind her sent a chill down her spine.

She knew it.

Vanessa.

Mia slowly turned around.

Vanessa stood near the doorway, dressed in an elegant black dress, her expression calm despite the darkness surrounding them.

Mia tightened her grip on her phone.

“Why are you here?”

Vanessa smiled.

“I could ask you the same thing.”

“I work here.”

“This isn't your office yet.”

Mia's eyes narrowed.

“What do you want?”

Vanessa stepped farther into the room.

“I want you to stop digging.”

Mia's heart pounded.

“So you are involved.”

Vanessa's smile disappeared.

“You always were more intelligent than Ethan gave you credit for.”

Mia's stomach twisted.

“What did you do?”

“Nothing that concerns you.”

“You used my name.”

Vanessa didn't answer.

Mia stepped backward.

“You made Ethan believe I stole from his company.”

“I gave him evidence.”

“Fake evidence.”

Vanessa shrugged.

“He believed it.”

The words hurt more than Mia expected.

Because they reminded her of Ethan.

He had believed it.

Without asking her.

Without trusting her.

Vanessa noticed the expression on her face.

“Still thinking about him?”

Mia's eyes hardened.

“Don't talk about my marriage.”

“Your marriage?”

Vanessa laughed softly.

“You mean the marriage Ethan already wanted to end?”

Mia's chest tightened.

“You knew?”

“Of course I knew.”

Vanessa walked toward her.

“I knew Ethan was unhappy long before you did.”

Mia shook her head.

“You're lying.”

“Am I?”

Vanessa tilted her head.

“You heard him yourself. He promised to marry me.”

Mia looked away.

The memory still hurt.

Vanessa smiled.

“That should tell you everything.”

“No.”

Mia looked back at her.

“It tells me exactly what kind of person you are.”

Vanessa's expression hardened.

“You think you're better than me?”

“No.”

Mia's voice was steady.

“I think I finally understand you.”

Vanessa's eyes flashed with anger.

Before she could respond, Ethan's voice came through Mia's phone.

“Mia!”

Vanessa's face changed.

“You called him?”

Mia held up the phone.

“He's still on the line.”

Ethan's voice became louder.

“Mia, get out of there now!”

Vanessa stared at the phone.

“Give me that.”

She reached for it.

Mia stepped away.

“No.”

Vanessa lunged forward.

Mia moved toward the door.

At that exact moment, the hallway lights came back on.

Security guards rushed toward the office.

Vanessa stopped.

Behind them came Ethan.

He had clearly driven there himself.

“Mia!”

He crossed the room immediately.

His eyes moved over her face, her arms, her body.

“Are you hurt?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Ethan exhaled.

Only then did he turn toward Vanessa.

His expression changed completely.

“What are you doing here?”

Vanessa lifted her chin.

“I came to talk to Mia.”

“At night?”

“She was looking through confidential documents.”

Ethan's eyes narrowed.

“So were you.”

Vanessa went silent.

Ethan stepped between them.

“You're done.”

She stared at him.

“What does that mean?”

“It means you stay away from Mia.”

“You're protecting her again?”

“Yes.”

Vanessa's face twisted.

“After everything she did to you?”

Ethan's voice was cold.

“She did nothing.”

Vanessa's eyes widened.

“You still believe that?”

“I believe the evidence.”

He glanced at the documents scattered across the desk.

“And now I have enough reason to believe you lied.”

Vanessa's face paled.

“You can't prove anything.”

“Maybe not yet.”

Ethan looked at the guards.

“Escort her out.”

Vanessa refused to move.

“Ethan.”

He didn't look at her.

“Please.”

She stepped closer.

“You're throwing away everything we've had for her?”

Ethan finally looked at her.

“There is nothing to throw away.”

Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.

“I loved you.”

“I know.”

“And you loved me once.”

Ethan shook his head.

“No.”

Vanessa stared at him.

“I loved the person I thought you were.”

His words destroyed the last trace of confidence on her face.

The guards escorted her out.

The door closed.

Silence filled the room.

Mia slowly turned toward Ethan.

“You came.”

“I said I would protect you.”

“You didn't have to.”

“I know.”

He looked at her.

“But I wanted to.”

Mia's heart fluttered.

Then she remembered the past.

She stepped away.

“You can't keep saving me whenever you feel guilty.”

Ethan's expression fell.

“I know.”

“You can't suddenly become the perfect husband because you're afraid of losing me.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you doing all this?”

Ethan looked at her for several seconds.

“Because when I had you, I thought love was something I could put aside until I had time for it.”

He swallowed.

“I was wrong.”

Mia looked down.

“You hurt me.”

“I know.”

“You made me feel unwanted.”

“I know.”

“You chose Vanessa.”

“I know.”

His voice became quieter.

“And I will regret that for the rest of my life.”

Mia's eyes filled with tears.

Ethan took one step toward her, then stopped.

He didn't touch her.

“I won't ask you to come back.”

She looked at him.

“But I need you to know something.”

“What?”

“You don't have to face any of this alone.”

Mia's lips trembled.

“I have Ryan.”

The words were deliberate.

Ethan's jaw tightened.

For a second, jealousy flashed through his eyes.

But he controlled it.

“I know.”

“You don't hate him?”

“I don't hate him.”

“You should.”

Ethan gave a bitter smile.

“He's giving you everything I failed to give you.”

Mia stared at him.

“That doesn't make him your enemy.”

“I know.”

He looked away.

“But that doesn't mean I like seeing him with you.”

Despite herself, Mia almost smiled.

“You're still jealous.”

“Yes.”

“At least you're honest.”

Ethan looked back at her.

“I have nothing left to hide.”

Her smile disappeared.

For several seconds, they simply looked at each other.

Then Ethan noticed the documents on her desk.

“You found these?”

“Yes.”

“Give them to me.”

Mia hesitated.

“Why?”

“Because I'll have them analyzed.”

“No.”

He looked surprised.

“I want to know the truth too.”

Ethan nodded.

“Then we'll investigate together.”

Mia frowned.

“Together?”

“If you're willing.”

She studied him.

This was different.

He wasn't ordering her.

He was asking.

Finally, she nodded.

“Fine.”

Ethan's shoulders relaxed.

“Thank you.”

“But this doesn't mean we're getting back together.”

“I know.”

“And it doesn't mean I forgive you.”

“I know.”

“And I'm still going on my date with Ryan.”

Ethan's jaw clenched.

He forced himself to nod.

“I know.”

Mia almost laughed.

“You really hate that one.”

“Yes.”

She smiled faintly.

Ethan stared at her.

For a moment, his entire expression softened.

“I haven't seen you smile like that in months.”

Mia's smile faded.

“Don't make this harder.”

“I won't.”

He picked up his jacket.

“I'll leave.”

He reached the door.

Then Mia spoke.

“Ethan.”

He turned.

“Thank you for coming.”

His eyes softened.

“Anytime.”

He walked away.

Mia watched him disappear down the hallway.

For the first time, she wasn't wondering whether Ethan regretted losing her.

She knew he did.

The real question was whether regret could become something stronger.

Something lasting.

Something she could trust.

---

Outside, Ethan entered his car.

Daniel was waiting.

“Well?”

Ethan closed the door.

“She admitted enough to confirm our suspicions.”

“Vanessa?”

“Yes.”

Daniel started the engine.

“Then why don't you expose her?”

Ethan looked back at the office building.

“Because Mia deserves the whole truth.”

Daniel nodded.

“And what about Ryan?”

Ethan's expression darkened.

“What about him?”

“You know he's getting closer to her.”

“I know.”

“Are you going to fight for her?”

Ethan looked through the window.

“I already am.”

He paused.

“But this time, I won't fight dirty.”

His eyes hardened with determination.

“If Ryan wants her, he'll have to earn her.”

Daniel glanced at him.

“And you?”

Ethan's answer came quietly.

“I'll earn her too.”

Then his phone buzzed.

A message had arrived from an unknown number.

You think Vanessa is the real enemy? You're wrong. Ask Ethan's mother why she was so desperate to destroy your marriage.

Ethan stared at the message.

His expression changed.

But this time, he didn't tell Mia.

Not yet.

He had promised her something.

He wouldn't let another secret destroy her.

And he intended to keep that promise.