I slam the door to Ethan’s penthouse without bothering to knock. The sharp thud echoes through the sleek space, but I’m too angry to care. Every step here felt like a mistake, but I need answers. Now.
He’s seated on the leather couch, glass of whiskey in hand, his dark eyes narrowing as I storm toward him.
“Alyssa,” he says, his voice a mix of surprise and caution. “What the hell-”
I cut him off, my voice sharp and unforgiving. “Drop the act, Ethan. I know about the meeting.”
His expression flickers, but he recovers quickly-too quickly. “What meeting?”
“The one with Xavier.” I fold my arms, staring him down, waiting for him to trip over his own lies. “Don’t bother denying it. I saw the video.”
Ethan exhales slowly, setting the glass down with deliberate care. That familiar mask of cold detachment slips into place-a look I’ve grown far too used to.
“That wasn’t what it looked like.”
I scoff. “Of course it wasn’t. Nothing with you ever is, is it?”
He leans back, his gaze steady but unreadable. “If you’d let me explain-”
“No.” I cut him off, heart pounding. If I let him talk, he’ll weave another web of half-truths. And I can’t afford to be tangled in his lies again.
“You and Xavier,” I spit. “You’re working together. And I want to know why.”
Ethan shifts in his seat, irritation flashing across his face. “You really think I’d team up with that snake?”
“I saw you, Ethan.” My voice cracks, anger simmering dangerously close to the surface. “You two were making deals like old friends.”
His jaw tightens. “It’s not what you think.”
“Then tell me what it is.”
There’s a pause-just long enough to tell me that he’s choosing his words carefully. Too carefully.
“Xavier wanted to meet,” Ethan says, his voice calm, deliberate. “He’s trying to pit us against each other. I went to feel him out, that’s all. Nothing more.”
The words sound logical, but they taste like poison.
“And I’m just supposed to believe that?” I demand, taking a step closer. “After everything? After all the lies?”
His expression darkens, a flicker of anger breaking through. “I’ve never lied to you, Alyssa.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, please. You’ve been lying to me since the moment we met.”
He stands abruptly, towering over me. That old, dangerous energy radiates off him, the one that always makes me second-guess whether I’m standing in front of an ally or a predator.
“I told you,” he says, voice low and dangerous. “I’m trying to protect you.”
“Protect me?” I repeat, incredulous. “By working with Xavier? By keeping me in the dark?”
Ethan’s gaze hardens. “You don’t understand how deep this goes.”
“Then make me understand!” My voice rises, the frustration and betrayal bubbling over. “I am so tired of everyone telling me what I don’t understand! You want me to trust you, Ethan? Then tell me the truth-for once.”
He drags a hand through his hair, pacing the room. For a second, I think he’s going to give me what I’ve been asking for. But instead, he shakes his head.
“It’s not that simple.”
And there it is. The same tired excuse. The same manipulation.
“I should’ve known,” I mutter, more to myself than to him. “You’re just like the rest of them.”
Ethan stops pacing, his eyes locking onto mine. There’s something raw in his gaze-something almost like regret.
“I’m not your enemy, Alyssa.”
I hold his gaze, fighting the pull of those words. I want to believe him. God, I want to believe him. But I’ve learned the hard way that believing in Ethan always costs me.
“Maybe not,” I whisper. “But you’re not my ally, either.”
I turn away from him, swallowing the lump in my throat. The room feels heavy, suffocating, like the walls are closing in.
I need space. I need air.
Ethan doesn’t try to stop me as I grab my bag and head for the door. I can feel his eyes on me, but I don’t look back.
It isn’t until I’m back at my apartment, the door locked behind me, that I finally let myself breathe.
I kick off my shoes, my mind spinning. I’ve been playing catch-up for too long, chasing answers that seem to slip further away every time I get close.
But not anymore.
I sit down at my desk, pulling out my laptop. If Ethan won’t give me the truth, I’ll find it myself.
The Betrayal Uncovered
Hours blur together as I dig deeper into Ethan and Xavier’s dealings. Bank transfers, encrypted emails, old business records.
It’s slow, grueling work-but bit by bit, the pieces start to fall into place.
And what I find is worse than I imagined.
Ethan and Xavier aren’t just working together. They’ve been planning this for months.
Emails between their lieutenants discuss meetings, coordinated attacks, and carefully timed moves-all designed to push me toward one inevitable outcome.
I’m the bait. The pawn in their sick game, used to lure out old enemies and consolidate power.
They never intended to protect me. They intended to use me.
My chest tightens, anger and betrayal flooding through me. How could I have been so stupid? So blind?
I close the laptop, my hands shaking.
They were playing me from the start-both of them.
I grab my phone, ready to confront Ethan, but something stops me.
There’s a notification waiting for me.
A message. From an unknown number.
I open it, and my stomach drops.
It’s a photo.
Ethan and Xavier, standing side by side, smirking like they’ve already won.
And beneath it, a single sentence:
“Welcome to the game, princess.”
They think they’ve trapped me. They think I have no way out.
But they’re wrong.
Because now, I know exactly who I’m fighting-and I intend to win.