Chapter 29: A Fortress of SecretsThe ride to Ethan's penthouse was filled with a tense silence, broken only by the occasional hum of the car engine. Olivia stared out of the window, watching the city lights blur past. Ethan's presence next to her was suffocating yet strangely reassuring."Are you going to tell me how this is supposed to help?" Olivia asked, finally breaking the silence.Ethan glanced at her, his jaw tightening. "You’ll be safer with me. Until I find out who’s behind the leaks and shut them down, I can’t risk leaving you on your own.""Safer from what? Gossip?" she shot back, her voice laced with sarcasm.Ethan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his seat, his icy gaze fixed on her. "You don’t understand how far these things can go, Olivia. It’s not just about gossip anymore. They’ll dig up your past, twist it, and use it to destroy you. And I won’t let that happen."His words sent a shiver down her spine. As much as she hated to admit it, he wasn’t
Chapter 30: Shadows of the PastEthan paced the length of his study, the sleek, modern room dimly lit except for the glow of his laptop screen. The name Daniel Winters repeated in his head like a mantra, each syllable sharpening his resolve. Whoever this man was, he had made a grave mistake."Jake," Ethan barked into his phone. "I need everything on a Daniel Winters. Every record, every connection, every debt. I don’t care how you get it just make it fast.""On it, sir," Jake replied without hesitation.Ethan hung up, his jaw tightening. No one messed with what was his, no one, and got away unscathed.Meanwhile, Olivia sat curled up in a corner of Ethan’s couch, her mind restless. The quiet of the penthouse amplified her thoughts, memories she had buried for years clawing their way back to the surface.Daniel Winters. She had once trusted him, relied on him, and he had betrayed her in ways she hadn’t thought possible. But now, he was stirring the pot again, threatening the fragile sen
Chapter 31: Winds of RetaliationThe tension between Ethan and Olivia lingered in the air like a storm waiting to break. Though the city below was alive with lights and movement, the penthouse was unnervingly quiet. Olivia stood by the balcony, the glass of wine in her hand untouched as her thoughts spiraled.Ethan’s words echoed in her mind: “Because I care about you.”She had heard declarations before, empty promises and flowery words from men who ultimately left her to pick up the pieces. But with Ethan, it felt different. His protectiveness, his determination to shield her from Daniel’s schemes, was unlike anything she had experienced. It scared her as much as it reassured her.Inside, Ethan sat in his study, surrounded by monitors and documents. His methods were cold and precise, like a surgeon preparing for a critical operation. Daniel Winters wasn’t just an enemy; he was an obstacle Ethan intended to obliterate."Jake," Ethan said into his headset. "I want every company associa
Chapter 32: The Gloves Come OffEthan wasn’t a man to waste time. As soon as he gathered the intel from Angela, he set his next plan in motion. Daniel Winters had crossed the line, and Ethan was determined to ensure he’d regret it.In the days that followed, Ethan’s strategy began to unfold like a finely orchestrated game of chess. Every move was calculated, every decision razor-sharp. Key clients Daniel relied on started pulling out, one after another, their reasons cloaked in polite vagueness but clearly orchestrated by Ethan.At the penthouse, Olivia kept her eyes glued to the news, which buzzed with whispers about Daniel Winters’ collapsing empire. Each headline felt like a small victory, though Olivia knew the fight was far from over.“What’s next on your agenda, mastermind?” Olivia asked one evening, leaning against the doorway of Ethan’s study.Ethan looked up from his laptop, his expression as unreadable as ever. “Taking him out of the picture entirely.”Olivia crossed her arm
Chapter 33: Storms on the HorizonThe fallout from the gala was swift and unforgiving. News outlets ran back-to-back exposés on Daniel Winters’ business practices, while social media roasted him mercilessly. It was a public execution, orchestrated with the precision only Ethan Cole could manage.But in the midst of the chaos, Ethan wasn’t celebrating. He was preparing for the next move. Olivia noticed it in the way he carried himself—restless, relentless, and impossibly focused.“I know that look,” Olivia said one morning as she sipped her coffee, watching him pace across the living room.“What look?” Ethan asked, distracted, his phone in one hand and a file in the other.“The ‘I’m planning to conquer the world before lunch’ look.” She set her mug down and crossed her arms. “You’ve already taken down Daniel. What’s next, Ethan?”He paused, glancing at her. “Securing what’s mine.”Olivia arched a brow. “And what exactly is that supposed to mean?”Ethan walked toward her, his intensity
Chapter 34: Shadows of BetrayalMorning sunlight filtered through the penthouse windows, but the warmth did nothing to dispel the tension crackling in the air. Ethan stood by the window, phone pressed to his ear, issuing commands with the precision of a battlefield general. He was dressed impeccably in a tailored navy suit, but his restless pacing betrayed the storm brewing inside him. Olivia sat on the couch, her gaze fixed on him as she sipped her coffee. He hadn’t said much since the cryptic message from Daniel’s lawyer the night before, but she could feel the weight of his thoughts bearing down on him. When he ended the call, she set her mug down. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on, or do I have to guess?” Ethan turned, his sharp eyes locking onto hers. “You don’t need to worry about it.” Her brow furrowed, frustration bubbling to the surface. “You don’t get to decide that. If it involves me, I deserve to know.” He let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his
Chapter 35: A Night to Remember The weight of the day hung heavy, but for the first time in weeks, the storm outside seemed to pause. The moonlight spilled into Ethan’s penthouse, casting a soft glow over the sleek furnishings. It was quiet, almost too quiet, as Olivia sat by the large floor-to-ceiling window, staring at the city lights below. Her thoughts were a whirlwind. The forged documents, Daniel’s threats, Ethan’s unyielding protection, it was all too much to unpack. She barely heard Ethan approaching until his shadow fell over her. “You’re lost in your thoughts again,” he said, his deep voice breaking through the silence. She turned, startled to see him holding two glasses of wine. He was dressed casually, a stark contrast to his usual sharp suits. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, and for once, he looked almost…approachable. “Trying to make sense of everything,” Olivia admitted as he handed her a glass and sat beside her. “You don’t have to,” Ethan said
Chapter 36: Breakfast In BedOlivia Hart woke up to the smell of something burning. She bolted upright, her heart racing. The sunlight streaming through the penthouse windows told her it was far too late for breakfast, and the faint sound of Ethan Cole swearing from the kitchen filled her with dread, and a surprising amount of amusement. Ethan Cole, the untouchable billionaire, the man who could dismantle empires with a single phone call, was apparently at war with the stove. Curiosity got the better of her, and she slipped out of bed, pulling on a robe as she tiptoed toward the source of the commotion. She peeked around the corner to find Ethan standing in front of a skillet, armed with a spatula like it was a sword. His usually immaculate appearance was in disarray: his shirt was untucked, his sleeves rolled up, and his hair was sticking up in every direction. “Come on, you stupid thing!” Ethan muttered, flipping a pancake that promptly landed on the floor. Olivia couldn’t h
Chapter 134: Growing TogetherThe weeks that followed were filled with even more anticipation as Olivia’s pregnancy progressed. Every day seemed like a new milestone, her belly grew, her cravings shifted, and the occasional morning sickness became a reminder of the little life blossoming inside of her. Ethan continued to be her rock, always there, always supportive, though his protective nature had become even more pronounced.One evening, as they sat together in the living room, Olivia leaned back against the couch, her eyes closed as she let out a content sigh. Ethan was next to her, gently rubbing her feet as she rested. His touch was soothing, and the warmth of his hand calmed her.“I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through this without you,” she said, looking up at him with a smile. “You’ve been amazing.”Ethan paused his gentle movements and looked down at her with a soft smile of his own. “I’m just doing what any husband should do. You’re carrying our child, Olivia. The least
Chapter 133: A New BeginningThe days after the wedding were a blur of love and happiness. Olivia and Ethan couldn’t seem to get enough of each other. Their honeymoon had been everything they dreamed of, filled with quiet moments in a luxurious villa overlooking the ocean, candlelit dinners, and passionate nights that made them both feel as though they were the only two people in the world.But amidst the romantic haze, something even more exciting was beginning to unfold.Olivia woke up one morning to a soft kiss on her forehead. The sun was barely peeking through the curtains, casting a warm glow across their bedroom. She smiled sleepily and turned to face Ethan, his face so close to hers that she could feel the warmth of his breath."Good morning, Mrs. Cole," he whispered with a smile that made her heart flutter. He was already dressed for the day, but the tenderness in his eyes made her forget about everything else."Good morning, Mr. Cole," Olivia replied, her voice full of sleep
Chapter 132: A New Chapter BeginsThe wedding preparations were a whirlwind, but Olivia reveled in every moment. The joy of knowing she would soon marry the man who had completely captured her heart was enough to make the chaos worth it. From picking out the dress to choosing the venue, everything felt surreal and yet perfectly right. Every detail fell into place, and soon, there was only one thing left to do: say the vows that would seal their future together.Ethan was surprisingly calm throughout it all. The normally stoic man had softened since their engagement, his protective nature now tempered with an undeniable warmth whenever Olivia was near. He had given her his all—his heart, his devotion, his loyalty—and she had never once doubted him. She knew this was the beginning of their forever.The day of the wedding arrived with a sense of serenity that Olivia had never felt before. It was as though the universe had conspired to give them the perfect day. The sun was shining, the s
Chapter 131: A Promise for the FutureIt was a quiet evening when Ethan finally took the step he had been avoiding for so long. He had kept his distance, convinced that the world he had dragged Olivia into was too dangerous, too dark for her. But standing in front of her now, with the soft glow of the candles illuminating her face and her steady gaze fixed on him, Ethan realized that she was more than capable of handling whatever came their way.He could see the love in her eyes, the way she believed in him, even when he couldn’t believe in himself. She had never once flinched, never once hesitated, even as his world crumbled around them.Olivia had become his anchor, the one person who kept him grounded when the weight of his past threatened to pull him under."Ethan," she said, her voice soft but firm, breaking the silence between them. "What’s on your mind?"He swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. It was time. Time to make a decision that would change everything. His fu
Chapter 130: Unraveling SecretsThe morning after the storm was almost eerily calm, as if the earth itself was recovering from the turmoil of the night. The sun broke through the clouds, casting its light over the landscape in a soft golden hue. Inside the cabin, however, the air was thick with the weight of unspoken words, emotions swirling just below the surface.Olivia stood by the window, staring out at the tranquil view, her fingers tracing the edge of the glass as if she could touch the world outside. Ethan was in the kitchen, preparing coffee, the sounds of him moving around barely registering in her mind as she replayed the events of the previous night.She could still feel the warmth of his touch, the way his lips had lingered on hers, as if to reassure them both that they were in this together. But even as she let herself fall deeper into the safety of his embrace, there was something in Ethan’s eyes that told her he was still holding something back.She could feel it in the
Chapter 129: Facing the Storm TogetherThe storm raged outside, but inside, the warmth of the cabin wrapped around them, a stark contrast to the chaos that threatened to engulf their world. Ethan held Olivia close, the steady rhythm of his breathing a comfort in the midst of their shared silence. But the air was thick with unspoken words, with the weight of everything they still had yet to face.Olivia could feel the tension still gripping Ethan’s body, the restlessness that lingered even in the safety of their shared space. She pulled back slightly, looking up at him, her heart heavy with the truth he had revealed. But in that same breath, a new determination sparked within her.“We can’t keep hiding from this, Ethan,” Olivia said, her voice soft but resolute. “You’re not alone in this fight. We’ll face whatever’s coming together. That’s what we do.”Ethan’s eyes softened, and for a moment, it seemed as if the weight of the world had lifted off his shoulders, if only for a second. He
Chapter 128: Unraveling the PastThe storm outside had only intensified, its howling winds battering against the cabin walls as if trying to break through the calm they’d created inside. But Ethan's earlier revelation hung heavily between them, and the tension was palpable.Olivia sat on the edge of the small couch, her fingers nervously twisting together as she watched Ethan pace back and forth. He was restless, as if something was gnawing at him, something he couldn't quite grasp. And Olivia knew, knew that whatever was coming, it wasn’t just about enemies, power, or protection. It was personal."Do you trust me?" Ethan's voice broke the silence, harsh but not unkind.Olivia looked up at him, her heart thudding in her chest. The weight of his question felt monumental. "Of course, I do," she replied, her voice firm but soft. "You know that."He stopped pacing and turned to face her, his eyes dark with emotion. "This thing I’m facing… it’s not just about business. It’s not just about
Chapter 127: The Storm ApproachesThe next morning, the storm that had been looming on the horizon finally broke. The sun, which had been so bright and calm the previous day, now hid behind dark clouds, and a sharp wind began to whip through the trees. Olivia could feel the tension in the air, thick and oppressive.She sat at the small wooden table in the cabin, staring out of the window as the storm clouds gathered, her mind racing with everything that Ethan had told her the night before. She knew that whatever was coming was more than just a simple challenge—they were heading into something far deeper, something darker than they’d expected. And the fact that Ethan hadn’t shared everything with her only made her more nervous.She knew he was trying to protect her. But part of her couldn't help but feel a creeping sense of isolation. What if he was keeping something from her that she needed to know?As if on cue, Ethan walked into the room, his expression tense. His usually sharp, com
Chapter 126: The Calm Before the StormThe morning sun streamed through the large windows of the cabin, casting soft golden light across the room. Olivia stirred in her sleep, the warmth of the blankets surrounding her, and the faint smell of pine lingering in the air. It was quiet, peaceful—something she had not experienced in a long time. And as she opened her eyes, she saw Ethan lying beside her, his expression calm and serene as he slept.For a moment, Olivia just watched him, feeling a sense of contentment wash over her. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions, but in that moment, it felt like they had finally found a sense of peace. She carefully moved to get out of bed, trying not to disturb him, but just as she reached for the blanket, Ethan stirred.“Where are you going?” His voice was low and husky from sleep, a slight smirk playing at the corner of his lips.“I was just going to make us some coffee,” Olivia whispered, smiling at the fact that he seemed to always