Ethan quickly cleared his throat and stepped back from her warmth, forcing himself to look away before he did something stupid.“Right,” he said, his voice rougher than he intended. "The bags.”He moved past her quickly, heading toward the couch like he needed the distance.Jessica stood there for a moment, watching him, a small smile playing on her lips.She’d felt it—the shift in the air, the way his breathing had changed, the way his eyes had darkened when they’d locked on hers.But she didn’t push.Instead, she followed him and dropped into the couch across from him, crossing her legs as she eyed the bags now sitting between them.“So,” she said, tilting her head. "What’s in the bags?”He reached down and slid them toward her.“Things I thought you’d need,” he said simply.“I noticed a few things last time, so I, uh… picked up a couple things for you on my way here.”She narrowed her eyes in playful suspicion. “A couple?”He shrugged. “Maybe more than a couple.”She raised a bro

“Goodnight, Ethan,” Jessica whispered.Ethan's chest tightened as they pulled apart slowly and reluctantly.“Goodnight, Jessica,” he murmured back.“Go inside,” he said softly. "I want to make sure you’re safe before I leave.”She chuckled. “Why?”“Because I do.”She rolled her eyes. “No. I want to watch you leave.”He opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off.“There are guards here to protect me,” she pointed out. "So you don’t need to worry. Just go.”He stared at her for a moment, then smiled faintly.“Alright, ma’am,” he said, raising his hands in surrender.He opened the car door and slid into the driver’s seat.She stepped closer, leaning down slightly.“Drive safe,” she said.“I will,” he replied.He started the engine, and she stepped back, waving at him.Her smile was the brightest he’d ever seen.“Thank you,” she called out. "For the gifts. And for stopping by. I really enjoyed the company.”He smiled back. “Anytime.”And at that moment, he almost told her to have

“I came to you for help,” Vanessa said, her voice trembling.Adrian’s eyes narrowed slightly, although he had already suspected what she wanted. “Help?"“It’s no secret anymore. Everyone knows my family’s company has gone completely bankrupt. We’re drowning in debt. All because of Ethan.” Her tears flowed down her face, smearing her mascara into dark streaks on her pale skin.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Her voice rose with desperation. “He destroyed us. Systematically destroyed everything my father built over thirty years. All because I broke up with him. Because he couldn’t handle a simple breakup like a mature adult.”She wiped her face with shaking hands. “I didn’t see a future for us. That’s all it was. Back then, he was a burden to me. A liability. He embarrassed me in front of my friends, my colleagues. I couldn’t introduce him to anyone without feeling ashamed. That’s why I ended things. Not because I was using him or taking advantage of him like he claimed.”Her eyes locked onto Adrian’s.

The grand ballroom of the Presidential Palace glittered under crystal chandeliers, their light dancing across polished marble floors.Guests in elegant attire filled the space, their laughter and conversations creating a symphony of celebration.Ethan stood near the edge of the room, a glass of champagne untouched in his hand, his expression carefully neutral as he observed the festivities, while a string quartet played Vivaldi in the corner.This wasn’t just any birthday celebration. President Rafael Mendoza, the man whose leadership had guided Alvaris through turbulent times, was turning sixty.He was beloved across continents for pulling his nation back from the precipice of economic collapse and civil unrest.Ambassadors, business tycoons, and political heavyweights from across the globe filled the room.Ethan had arrived quietly, keeping to himself.However, his appearance caught most people off guard, because they had no idea he and the president knew each other.But Ethan was m

Ethan's smile lingered until he reached Lucas' table.Ethan paused, his hand resting casually on the back of an empty chair directly opposite his cousin.Without waiting for an invitation, he pulled it out and sat down, letting the weight of the moment settle between them.The action was smooth and unhurried, but it sent a ripple of tension through the immediate vicinity.Lucas sat perfectly still, his posture rigid, his champagne glass frozen halfway to his lips, while his jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.The silence stretched as the two men stared at each other across the table.It wasn’t just quiet—it was a battlefield. Every second that passed without words felt like another move in a chess game only they understood.Around them, guests leaned in slightly, straining to hear what would come next.The string quartet continued playing in the background, but the music seemed distant and irrelevant.Finally, Ethan broke the silence with a slight chuckle.“I figured,” he said, his to