- 7.
Even though Ryan is ready to divorce me, as a man, he still couldn’t stomach the idea of his best friend and his wife getting involved with each other.
When Ethan saw the photos, his face darkened. “Where did you even get these, Ryan?
Listen, let me explain-”
Ryan didn’t wait for an explanation. His fist connected with Ethan’s face. “Explain my
ass!”
Ethan’s glasses flew off, and his lip began to swell.
his Even the calmest person has their breaking point. Ethan bent down to pick up glasses, wiped them off, and said in a tightly controlled voice, “Ryan, don’t lump me in with you. I warned you about your behavior long ago, I only helped Nicole because I felt sorry for her. Don’t forget–she’s my friend too.”
Anyone who knew Ethan well could hear the anger simmering beneath his words.
“Nicole? You’re on a first–name basis now, huh?” Ryan sneered, gearing up to throw another punch. But Ethan caught his arm and shoved him back with ease.
“Those photos–your little mistress gave them to you, didn’t she?” Ethan said, his voice cold. “You’d rather trust her than your own wife and best friend? I’ve got you figured out,
Ryan. Think whatever you want. You’ve been planning this divorce for a while anyway, haven’t you?”
With that, Ethan pushed him aside and walked out, heading back to his own apartment. Once there, he called me over, and I finally understood the full story.
As I dabbed antiseptic on his swollen lip, Ethan opened a bottle of whiskey, his frustration evident. “I shouldn’t have dragged you into this,” he muttered.
“Stop,” I said, snatching the bottle out of his hand. “You’re hurt–don’t make it worse by drinking. And honestly? I don’t care what Ryan thinks anymore. What I care about is what you think.”
Ethan froze, his hands falling limp at his sides. He wouldn’t meet my eyes.
“What I care about is your cowardice,” I said, stepping closer and pinning him against the wall. I leaned in and bit his jawline lightly, my voice dripping with challenge. “You’re such a coward, Ethan. You don’t fight for what’s yours. You won’t even go after the person you like. Are you really planning to live your whole life like this?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “You’re my brother’s wife.”
“Wife?” I scoffed, brushing my hair back. “Ethan, stop lying to yourself. Was I your ‘brother’s wife‘ before I got with Ryan? Am I his wife now? If I am, why aren’t you pushing
me away?”
I leaned closer, my voice softening. “I like your restraint, Ethan. But I hate it too.‘
Ethan didn’t push me away, but he didn’t move either. His eyes were full of conflict, emotions swirling beneath the surface. Finally, he asked, “Did you give those photos to
Annie Jo?”
“What if I said no? Would you believe me?” I stepped back, releasing him. “You’re free to blame it all on me. Apologize to Ryan, stay his loyal friend, keep your business partnership intact. I’m sorry for bothering you these past few weeks.”
I placed the key to his apartment on the table and turned to leave.
Before I could take another step, I felt myself being lifted off the ground. Ethan had scooped me up in one swift motion.
I let out a startled gasp, but he silenced me with his lips. Without a word, he carried me to
his bedroom and threw me onto the bed.
Hovering over me, his voice was low and hoarse. “You asked for this.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down.
For the first time in ages, I felt alive.
Since learning about Ryan’s affair, I hadn’t been able to stomach the thought of being
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For the first time in ages, felt alive.
Since learning about Ryan’s affair, I hadn’t been able to stomach the thought of being intimate with him. The very idea disgusted me.
But with Ethan, it was different. His touch wasn’t gentle, but I craved the raw passion and
intensity.
Afterward, as I traced the red marks my nails had left on his back, I asked, “What are you thinking about? Trying to figure out how to explain this to Ryan?”
Ethan rolled over, pinning me beneath him with a serious expression.
“No,” he said. “I’m thinking about how to explain this to you.”