Chapter 7 (Olivia's POV) The moment his lips crashed against mine, I knew exactly who had grabbed me. Ethan Stone. My mate. My tormentor.
My initial fear dissolved into icy determination. I shoved against his chest with all my strength.
"Ethan Stone, letgo... You have no right!" I hissed, struggling against his powerful grip.
His amber eyes flashed dangerously in the dim light of the SUV. The dominant Alpha aura poured from him in waves, suffocating the small space between us.
"No right?" he growled, his face inches from mine. "You're still my mate, Olivia. Or have you forgotten?" I twisted away from him, pressing myself against the door. "We're done, Ethan. I made that clear." His laugh was cruel, devoid of humor. "Is that why you're meeting Victoria? To discuss our relationship status?" "She invited me," I spat. "To flaunt your clothes and the marks you left on her neck." Ethan's jaw tightened. His hand shot out, gripping my chin and forcingto look at him. "You have snerve," he said, voice dangerously soft. "After what you did five years ago." The accusation hit like a physical blow. "I didn't drug you! How many times do I have to say it?" His eyes narrowed, disbelief etched across his handsfeatures. "Then explain how I ended up in your bed that night." "I've explained it a thousand times," I said, exhaustion creeping into my voice. "You were already drugged when I found you." Ethan's grip tightened painfully on my jaw. "And yet you took advantage." I jerked my face away from his hand. "Victoria knows we're over. Why can't you accept it too? Or does my pain mean so little to you?" Something flickered in his eyes - uncertainty, perhaps. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
"You're playing the sgyou played five years ago," he said coldly. "Acting innocent, pretending to be the victim." My breath hitched, a familiar pain stabbing at my heart. The memory of that night rose unbidden - Ethan stumbling into my apartment, his eyes unfocused, his movements uncoordinated.
"I didn't drug you," I whispered, the words feeling hollow after years of repetition.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtI remembered finding him outside my door, barely conscious. I could have left him there should have, perhaps. But I couldn't. My heart wouldn't let me.
I'd helped him inside, given him water, tried to sober him up. When he collapsed on my bed, I'd slept on the couch.
But morning brought accusations instead of gratitude. Victoria had somehow convinced him I'd drugged him, seduced him.
The truth didn't matter. It never had.
"What do you want, Ethan?" I asked, suddenly too tired to fight. "Why are you doing this?" He scoffed, his expression hardening. "You're the one playing games, Olivia. Meeting Victoria, challenging my authority." "I'm not playing-" His phone rang, cuttingoff. Victoria's nflashed on the screen.
Ethan hesitated, his eyes still locked with mine. The momentary distraction was all I needed.
I brought my knee up hard, connecting solidly with his groin. Ethan doubled over with a pained grunt, his grip loosening.
I scrambled for the door handle, pushing it open and tumbling out into the parking garage. My heart hammered against my ribs as I ran to my car, fumbling with the keys.
Once inside, I locked the doors, my hands shaking so badly I could barely start the engine. Tears blurred my vision as I reversed out of the parking spot, nearly hitting a concrete pillar.
I caught a glimpse of Ethan emerging from his SUV, his face contorted with rage and pain. Our eyes met briefly before I accelerated toward the exit.
The tires screeched against the concrete as I sped away. My breathing cin short, painful gasps.
Why couldn't he believe me? After all these years, the saccusation still haunted me.
I checked my rearview mirror, half expecting to see his black SUV in pursuit. Nothing. Just empty road behind me.
Relief washed over me, followed immediately by crushing sadness. How had we cto this? Once, Ethan had looked atwith love. Now there was only suspicion and contempt.
I wiped away tears with a trembling hand. I needed to focus on driving, not on the shattered remains of our relationship.
The road blurred before me. I pulled over, unable to continue.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmMy phone buzzed with a text. I half expected it to be from Ethan, but it was Elder Willow checking if I'd made it hsafely.
I sent a quick reply, not wanting her to worry. How could I explain what had just happened? Taking several deep breaths, I composed myself. I couldn't fall apart now. Lily neededto be strong.
The thought of my daughter steadied me. I would win that competition for her. Nothing else mattered. With renewed determination, I pulled back onto the road. Ethan Stone would not breakagain.
(Ethan's POV) I watched Olivia's car speed away, the pain between my legs gradually subsiding. With deliberate calm, I walked to the Moonlight Café and took a seat by the window.
I pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with practiced ease. The smoke curled upward as I took a long drag, obscuring my expression from curious onlookers.
My phone continued to ring. Victoria's nflashed persistently on the screen. "What?" I answered finally, my voice deceptively casual.
"Ethan?" Victoria's concerned voice filled my ear. "Are you alright? You sound strange." I took another drag, watching the street where Olivia had disappeared. "I'm fine." "You don't sound fine," she pressed. "Where are you?" "Moonlight Café," I replied, flicking ash into a nearby tray.
There was a pause on the other end. "Were you with her?" Victoria asked, her voice suddenly tight.
I didn't need to ask who she meant. "Why does it matter?" Victoria's breath caught audibly. "You were, weren't you? With Olivia." An hour ago, I'd sent Victoria hto Rosewood Haven. She'd been clingy, demanding, insisting I stay another night.
I'd refused coldly, needing space to think. My mind had been filled with conflicting thoughts about Olivia.
Now Victoria's voice trembled with barely concealed jealousy. "I'm sorry about the café, Ethan. I didn't mean to cause trouble."