جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 30

Ethan’s behavior was starting to drive me insane. He’d been distant ever since that afternoon,but the strangest part was how he still managed to watch my every move. I wasn’t sure if he was protecting me or monitoring me, and the difference mattered more than I wanted to admit. The way treated me like he couldn't breathe without me was proof enough that we were on dangerous ground. One second, he had me breathless, trembling under his touch. The next, he’d turned cold and quiet again, shutting himself off like nothing had happened. I kept replaying it in my head, the way he held me down and took charge. I’d fallen asleep tangled in his warmth, convinced I could still feel his heartbeat long after his arms left me. When I woke up, the bed was cold, and the only sign he’d been there was the faint scent of coffee and gun oil in the air. Now, sitting alone on the couch, I couldn’t stop tapping my fingers against my knee. Ethan had gone out again, no explanation, no nothing, just a

“I’m sorry,” . “You don’t deserve any of this.” Ethan whispered to me while I was Half asleep. what are you sorry for ? what is it I don't deserve?I had a lot of questions I wanted to ask but I couldn't, because my eyes failed to open and my lips wouldn't budge.I felt his strong arms as he picked me up from the couch like I weighed nothing.He really is so strong. He placed me on the bed and tucked me in. He was so sweet yet so secretive. Not long everything began to fade.I woke up with a kind of hunger that if I saw a cow I could devour it whole.I pushed the covers off and sat up, running a hand through my hair. The house felt still, except for a faint murmur of a voice coming from somewhere near the kitchen.He was on the phone.I slipped out of bed, bare feet padding softly on the wooden floor, and stopped when I caught his tone, it was low and a bit clipped. I moved closer a bit and that was when I began to hear clearer."I still can believe his secretary would do such a thing

I woke up sore and tired, but nothing beat the joy of knowing my shameless act of seduction worked on Ethan last night.I didn’t do much,I just showered and stepped out of the bathroom looking irresistible and wet.I left my bedroom for the living area and saw that Ethan was already dressed.“Good morning, Mr. Blackwood,” he said as he handed me a cup of coffee. “Here is your coffee, just the way you like it.”The smirk on his face told me he was teasing, but I still needed to get ready for work.I stepped into Blackwood Enterprise like I always did, with Ethan right behind me like I was some toddler he needed to keep an eye on. I walked straight to the elevator, ignoring the chorus of “Good morning, Mr. Blackwood” thrown my way.When I stepped out, I glanced at Clara’s empty desk. A strange mix of anger and pity washed through me. Today, I needed to interview candidates to replace her.Aiden should’ve been here by now. Where the hell was he?“Good morning, boss.”He strolled into my

I couldn’t believe my ears. My favourite uncle was behind my kidnapping, and he wasn’t even ashamed of it.Could someone’s life get any more messed up than mine?“On his way here to do what exactly?” I asked Uncle Joe.“You’ll find out soon,” he replied casually.I refused to let him see even a crack in my composure. So I straightened, shoulders back, chin lifted. Confidence check. Good to go.Ethan stood beside me like a silent machine, but his face… his face was a whole different story. Predatory. Coiled. Ready to strike. And Uncle Joe was the prey.Without thinking twice, every remaining drop of respect I’d had for Joe evaporated into the gutter. I marched to my desk, picked up the phone, and dialed security.“See Mr. Joe out of the building,” I commanded the moment they entered.“What the hell is this? This is no way to treat your uncle!”“You discarded that title the second you collaborated with someone to have me kidnapped.” I gestured to the guards. “Take him out.”“Oh, and one

The moment Ethan’s forehead touched mine, everything inside me had gone unbearably still. And when he whispered I won’t leave… I believed him, but a tiny part of me had doubts. Then he stepped back,slowly, gently, like he was afraid I’d shatter if he moved too fast,and something inside me twisted. Not because he did anything wrong. But because the moment his warmth left my skin… the silence came rushing back. The silence I hated. The silence where my thoughts lived. I turned away from him under the pretense of catching my breath, pretending I just needed space. But I wasn’t okay. I wasn’t anywhere close to okay. The office felt too big. The windows felt too bright. And suddenly the air was too thin, like the world was shrinking around me. I pressed a palm to my desk, steadying myself. Not now. Not here. Please… not now. I heard Ethan shift behind me, maybe taking a step closer. “Alex…?” I swallowed hard. “I’m fine.” A big lie.A pathetic one at that. My hands were shak