Chapter 77: Whispers of the PastEthan stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, the sound of running water drowning out his thoughts. He had barely slept. Though the chaos of Lang and Chloe's schemes consumed his waking hours, it was the letter he found on his desk last night that haunted him.“The past always finds its way back.”The single line had been scrawled on expensive stationery with no signature or return address. Ethan had dismissed it as another intimidation tactic, but something about it felt... personal.Steeling himself, he splashed cold water on his face. When he walked out, Olivia was curled up on the couch, sipping her morning coffee and scrolling through her tablet.“You look like you didn’t sleep at all,” she remarked without looking up.“Busy night,” he said, sitting down beside her.“Busy thinking or busy brooding?” she teased, poking his shoulder.“Both.”Olivia set the tablet aside, her smile softening. “Talk to me.”He hesitated, a rare crack in his us
Chapter 78: Storm Clouds GatherEthan woke before dawn, his arms still wrapped around Olivia. The rhythmic sound of her breathing should have been soothing, but his mind was already racing. The revelations from Victor Hayes still weighed heavily on him, and the names on that list felt like a ticking time bomb threatening to explode beneath his empire.As he carefully slipped out of bed, Olivia stirred.“Where are you going?” she murmured sleepily.“Just to clear my head,” Ethan replied softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.She opened one eye, her expression a mixture of concern and curiosity. “At this hour?”“Go back to sleep, Liv. I’ll be back soon.”Olivia frowned but nodded, her trust in him evident. “Don’t overthink. You’re stronger than whatever’s bothering you.”Ethan kissed her forehead before stepping out, her words lingering in his mind.At Cole Enterprises, the office was eerily quiet as Ethan entered. Jake was already waiting for him, a laptop open and files spre
Chapter 79: Love in ChaosThe following morning, Olivia woke up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. A rare sight greeted her as she wandered into the kitchen: Ethan, wearing a plain white shirt and pajama pants, was focused on the coffee machine.“Who are you, and what have you done with Ethan Cole?” Olivia teased, leaning against the doorframe.He glanced over his shoulder, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “I figured I’d do something nice before the chaos starts again. Don’t get used to it, though.”She chuckled, moving closer. “Is this your way of buttering me up before you drop more bad news?”Ethan placed a steaming mug in front of her, his expression softening. “No bad news—at least not yet. Just wanted to spend some time with you before things get crazy.”Olivia took a sip, savoring the moment. “You know, you’re not as scary as you think you are.”His eyebrow arched. “Don’t ruin my reputation, Liv. I worked hard for it.”Their quiet moment was interrupted when Ethan’s phone
Chapter 80: A Date to RememberThe morning sun streamed through the curtains, waking Olivia from her slumber. She stretched lazily, only to realize Ethan was nowhere in sight. A faint sound of clinking dishes came from the kitchen. Curiosity piqued, she padded over to find him flipping pancakes with an unusual amount of concentration.“Two mornings in a row? Who are you trying to impress?” she teased, leaning against the counter.Ethan turned, an apron tied over his dress shirt, a rare playful glint in his eyes. “Just perfecting my skills. Thought you deserved something better than burnt toast.”Olivia chuckled, her heart fluttering at the domestic sight. “Who knew the ruthless Ethan Cole had a soft spot for pancakes?”“Only for you,” he replied smoothly, sliding a perfectly golden pancake onto a plate.Her cheeks warmed as she accepted the breakfast offering. “You’re being unusually charming today. What’s the occasion?”He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “You’ll fi
Chapter 81: A Twist in the TaleMorning arrived with a lazy glow, casting soft light over the room where Olivia lay entangled in the sheets. The quiet hum of the city outside was in sharp contrast to the turmoil brewing within her heart. Her gaze drifted to Ethan, who stood by the window, shirtless, holding a mug of coffee and looking every bit like a Greek god in the early sunlight.“Penny for your thoughts?” she asked, her voice still husky from sleep.Ethan turned, his eyes locking onto hers. “Just thinking about how much trouble you’ve gotten me into, Ms. Hart.”She smirked, sitting up and pulling the blanket around her. “Me? You’re the one who keeps turning my life upside down.”His lips curled into a playful grin. “Is that a complaint?”“Not entirely,” she admitted, stretching her arms. “Though I’m starting to wonder if I’ll survive your whirlwind.”Ethan approached the bed, placing his coffee cup on the nightstand before sitting beside her. “You’ll survive,” he said, tucking a
Chapter 82: Tug of WarOlivia sat at her vanity, her gaze fixed on her reflection as she dabbed on a layer of mascara. The article fallout had cooled down, thanks to Ethan's intervention, but the tension between them had only grown thicker. His recent overprotective behavior bordered on possessiveness, and while she hated to admit it, a part of her found it irresistibly thrilling.A sharp knock on her door interrupted her thoughts."Come in," she called, expecting Lily, but it was Ethan who entered, his presence filling the room instantly.“You’re not ready yet,” he said, his tone a blend of annoyance and amusement as his eyes swept over her still-incomplete outfit—a silk robe and her hair in rollers.“I have fifteen minutes, Mr. Punctuality,” she teased, turning back to the mirror. “Relax.”Ethan’s lips twitched as he leaned against the doorframe. “Fifteen minutes isn’t enough for what I have in mind.”Her brow arched as she glanced at him in the mirror. “And what exactly do you have
Chapter 83: An Unexpected ProposalThe next morning, Olivia woke to the sound of her phone buzzing incessantly. Groaning, she reached for it, barely cracking an eye open. It was Lily.“This better be good,” Olivia mumbled as she pressed the phone to her ear.“Good? Try great! Ethan Cole just announced a surprise press conference, and the entire industry is losing their minds,” Lily blurted, her voice buzzing with excitement.“What?” Olivia sat up, her heart immediately racing. “A press conference? About what?”“No one knows. But rumors are flying that it’s about you two.”Olivia’s heart sank. “Lily, tell me you’re joking.”“Would I joke about this? Look, it’s in an hour. Get ready!”The call ended, leaving Olivia staring at her phone in disbelief. Ethan hadn’t mentioned anything about a press conference, let alone involving her.An hour later, Olivia arrived at the venue, her heart pounding. The room was packed with reporters, cameras, and flashing lights. Ethan stood at the podium, c
Chapter 84: Dinner and DisarmamentOlivia spent the entire day pacing her apartment, replaying Ethan’s words in her head. He was a man who always got what he wanted, and somehow, she’d found herself swept into the chaos of his world.By the time the clock struck seven, Olivia had tried on four different outfits, each more glamorous than the last, only to end up in a sleek black dress that hugged her curves. It wasn’t stunning by red carpet standards, but it would do.When Ethan arrived at her door promptly at eight, he looked as effortlessly dashing as ever. A tailored navy suit with the faintest hint of cologne that made her knees weak.“Ready?” he asked, his voice low and smooth.“I suppose,” she replied, grabbing her clutch. “Where are we going?”“You’ll see.”Ethan drove them to an intimate rooftop restaurant overlooking the city. String lights twinkled above, and the scent of fresh flowers filled the air. A private table had been set up with a breathtaking view of the skyline.“O
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