Ethan's POV I stepped out of the hotel apartment and into the warm night, my emotions in disarray. I wandered, lost in a sea of thoughts and feelings, as the hotel lights blurred together around me. The sounds of laughter and music filled the air but only served to heighten my sense of isolation. I felt like a ghost, invisible and alone, without purpose or direction. My mind raced with memories of Ava's words, and her rejection, leaving me wondering what I had done wrong and what I could have done differently. Ava's betrayal had shattered me to the core, leaving my heart in pieces and my entire existence in ruins. It wasn't just a romantic relationship that had ended; it felt like my whole world had come crashing down. Every memory, every dream, every hope I had tied to her was now tainted with pain and sorrow. The heartbreak was all-consuming, leaving me feeling lost. To the outside world, I was a paragon of perfection, always excelling and achieving. But behind the mask of confid
Ethan's POV Shall we get started? I asked Emily My eyes never leaving hers. She nodded, her eyes never leaving mine, and together we navigated the crowded room. I could feel the weight of their gaze on me, sense the unspoken questions lingering in the air. I knew they were curious about my motives. But I wasn't ready to reveal my hand just yet. As we made our way through the throng of people, I couldn't help but notice the way Emily moved with grace and precision, her eyes scanning the room with a quiet intensity. We finally reached the main stage, where the symposium's keynote speaker was holding court. I took my place at the podium, my eyes locking onto the crowd as I began to speak. My words were met with a sea of nodding heads and thoughtful expressions, but I knew that the real challenge lay ahead. As I finished my speech and the crowd erupted into applause, I turned to Emily, my eyes searching for a glimmer of understanding. And for a moment, I thought I saw it - a fli
Emily's POV As I stood there, surrounded by the opulence of the hotel apartment, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Ethan's embrace had been a balm to my frazzled nerves, his words of encouragement a soothing salve to my battered soul. I pulled back, my eyes locking onto his, and for a moment, I saw something there that gave me hope. It was a glimmer of understanding, a spark of connection that went beyond mere employer and employee. "Thank you, Ethan," I whispered, my voice barely audible. " He nodded, his eyes never leaving mine, and I felt a sense of safety in his presence. It was a strange feeling, one that I couldn't quite explain, but it was there nonetheless. As we stood there, the tension between us was palpable. I could feel the weight of his gaze, the intensity of his stare, and it made my heart race. "Maybe you should resign as my assistant," Ethan said, his voice neutral. I felt a pang in my heart, and my mind raced. I nodded. "Maybe a break would be
Emily's POV "Maybe I'll join you after I whip up dinner." I tried to sound casual despite the tension between us. Ethan's expression remained unyielding. "You don't have to bother, the cooks are resuming their duties today." "Okay, sir." we went our separate ways, the distance between us felt like an unresolved question hanging in the air. The conversation was stilted and awkward, with Ethan's curt responses and formal address making me feel like an outsider. The tension between us was palpable, and I couldn't help but wonder what was driving his distant behavior. The exchange felt like a forced dance, with both of us moving through the motions but lacking any real connection or warmth. As we parted ways, I was left with a lingering sense of discomfort and unease. As I entered my room, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. I collapsed onto the bed, surrendering to the exhaustion that had been building up. Despite my initial resistance to returning, I was secretly r
Emily's POV "Pretend wife." Ethan clarified, a sly grin spreading across his face, his eyes crinkling at the corners. The tension in my chest eased slightly, replaced by a mix of relief and curiosity. "Just for the evening, of course." He added, his voice dripping with charm, as he awaited my response to his unconventional request. "Oh, okay." I replied, trying to sound nonchalant despite the flutter in my chest, as I focused on adding a sprinkle of spices to my noodles, the aroma wafting up to fill the air. "I'll play along." I added, my eyes darting up to meet Ethan's, a hint of a smile playing on my lips, as I wondered what I was getting myself into. "I'm sorry if this is an inconvenience." Ethan said, his expression turning serious, his eyes locked on mine. " To be honest, that's why I had to ask you to stay with me after the proxy marriage - so my family members would believe I have a wife by my side." His words hung in the air, a reminder of the elabora
Emily's POV Ethan flashed a triumphant smile as he took control of the stove, his movements fluid and assured. I watched, mesmerized, as he expertly cooked the noodles, his hands moving with a precision that belied his earlier claim of culinary ineptness. The air between us seemed to sizzle with tension, and I found myself drawn to him, my gaze lingering on the sharp angle of his jaw, the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. As he worked, he glanced up at me, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. "Almost done." His voice was low and husky, sending shivers down my spine. "Maybe we should take some wine while we wait for the noodles to cook." Ethan suggested, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Bring out some cups from the cupboard, would you?" He asked, already heading towards the wine rack. I nodded, my heart racing at the prospect of sharing a quiet moment with him. As I retrieved the cups, I could
Emily's POV "Maybe it's my turn to pick a nice suit for you how about that?" I pointed to the male collection full of expensive suits. Ethan's eyes widened in surprise, and a hint of a smile played on his lips. "You want to pick out a suit for me?" His voice was tinged with amusement. I nodded, feeling a sense of mischief. "Yes, why not? You've been dictating my wardrobe choices all day. It's my turn to return the favor." Ethan chuckled, his eyes sparkling with delight. "Alright, Mrs. Smith. I'm in your hands." He gestured to the male collection, and I began browsing through the racks, running my fingers over the expensive fabrics. "Hmm, let's see...what would suit you best?" I muttered to myself, scanning the options. Ethan watched me with an air of anticipation, his eyes never leaving mine. I finally settled on a sleek black tuxedo, complete with a crisp white shirt and a black bow tie. "Try it on." I handed him the outfit. Ethan raised an eyebrow but o
Emily's POV "Head out?" I asked, confusion etched on my face, my mind racing with thoughts. But before I could press for more information, Ethan's smile grew wider, and he said. "Remember, I said I had a gift for you?" His eyes sparkled with excitement, and I felt my curiosity piqued. "What is it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Ethan chuckled, his smile still radiant. "All in good time." His voice was low and mysterious. "Let's just say it's something I think you'll enjoy." He set the tray down on the bedside table, his movements are fluid and graceful. "Finish your breakfast, and we'll be on our way." I nodded, my mind whirling with possibilities. What could the surprise be? And where were we going? I couldn't wait to find out. As Ethan left the room, I couldn't help but pinch myself to see if I was dreaming. Was this happening? Ethan had just brought me breakfast in bed, and now he was taking me on a surprise adventure. I felt like I was floatin
Ethan's POV I stepped out and saw Emily in the living room. "Is there a problem?" I asked, concern etched on my face. "I was hearing loud voices.”I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. "An unexpected visitor?" I repeated, my voice gentle. I took a step closer to Emily, trying to get her to meet my gaze. "Everything okay?" I asked, my tone softening."There isn't," she said, her gaze drifting away from mine. Her voice was laced with a hint of tension, and I could sense that she was hiding something.I nodded, taking note of the subtle change in Emily's demeanor. "Olivia's back," she announced, her voice neutral. I couldn't help but think of my own unwanted visitor. But my attention was quickly refocused on Emily, and the hint of unease that lingered beneath her composed exterior.She cleared her throat nervously. "I was about to inform you... I will be leaving this morning." Those words made my heart drop."Just wait until after dinner, then," I said, trying to sound casual. But E
EMILY'S POV I rushed back, my footsteps silent on the stairs as I watched him walk away. His eyes sparkled with a love so true as he confirmed his love for Olivia. My heart shattered into a million pieces as I realized the painful truth: he was in love, and he had always been in love. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I felt my world crumbling around me. My box of emotions was overflowing, and I couldn't hold back the sorrow anymore.I was already packed, my bags stood silently in the shadows, a poignant reminder of the decision I'd made. Immediately after dinner, I would be leaving him forever. The thought was razor-sharp, cutting through my heart like a knife. I felt a chill run down my spine as I contemplated the finality of it all - the end of our relationship, the end of our life together.Tomorrow was a day of conflicting desires. A part of me yearned for its arrival, eager to escape the anguish that had become my reality. I longed to leave behind the shattered remain
Ethan's POVI found myself drawn to her room, compelled to gaze into her eyes. Their piercing beauty had a calming effect on my frazzled nerves. I stood there, mesmerized, unsure of what to say to her. Our time together was fleeting, and soon we'd be parting ways forever. In the precious moments I had left, I couldn't help but indulge in the beauty of her gorgeous eyes.I retreated to my bedroom, seeking solace in the familiar comfort of my bed. As I lay down, I stretched out my muscles, trying to release the tension that had been building up inside me. But despite my efforts to relax, my heart remained heavy with pain.My heart ached with the weight of inaction. I yearned to fight for what I desired, but the risk of vulnerability held me back. The fear of being shattered once more, of enduring an everlasting pain, kept my emotions in check. My mind screamed to take a stand, to seize what was mine, but the terror of heartbreak silenced my resolve, leaving me paralyzed and torn.The sh
EMILY'S POV Liam's eyes darted around the space, his gaze lingering on every corner as if expecting someone to emerge from the shadows before finally settling on me to ask, "Did Ava speak harshly to you?” “No,” I replied, my voice firm so he couldn't see right through me, but unfortunately he did because I met a skeptical look on his face. “Emily,” he called, his voice gentle as always, "Are you hiding anything from me?" he added. His eyes locked on mine with an intense gaze. “I'm not.” I needed to be out of her. My body was here, but my mind and soul were with someone who cared least about me. I realized at that moment I was in love with Ethan. I had always known that, but what I just discovered was the connection between me and Liam-Lust. I didn't know how to put it. I didn't know how to tell him why I was giddy with excitement whenever he was around. It wasn't because I loved him; it was because I wanted to escape the sad reality of unrequited love. “Emily,” I snapped out o
Ethan's POVI watched from a distance as Liam's car pulled away from the curb, a mixture of curiosity and unease swirling in my chest. I had specifically warned Emily to keep our arrangement private, and yet, here she was, meeting with...him. I narrowed my eyes, my mind racing with possibilities. What were they discussing? And why did Emily feel the need to sneak around behind my back? I made a mental note to confront Liam about this later, my eyes never leaving the fading tail lights of his car.The anger simmered beneath my surface, a slow-burning fire that threatened to consume me. I couldn't believe she would kiss me, pretend to have feelings for me, when all along she was still entangled with Liam. The thought was a bitter pill to swallow, and I felt my jaw clenched in frustration. I wasn't used to feeling this way about anyone, especially not a woman. My usual detachment, my ability to remain aloof, had been breached, and it was a disconcerting feeling.I stood in front of the s
EMILY’S POVI felt a surge of anger and frustration towards Ethan, mixed with a strong dose of self-loathing for the desire I still felt for him. It was a toxic combination that left me feeling raw and exposed.I hated how my heart went crazy whenever Ethan was near. The skipping beats and nervous flutters were a dead giveaway to the feelings I was trying to suppress.I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't notice Liam standing there, and I ended up bumping into him.Liam raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile on his face. "Hey, looks like I've got Miss Clumsy back in the building."I attempted to muster a smile, but my heart wasn't in it. The pain and turmoil I'd been feeling lingered, making it impossible for me to feign happiness.Liam's eyes locked onto mine, and he could tell something was off. "Hey, is everything okay?" he asked, his voice soft with concern."No, I'm good," I said, trying to downplay my emotions. But Liam wasn't buying it. He kept looking at me with that c
EMILY’S POVI opened my eyes to find the sun shining brightly through the window, its rays piercing my eyes.I rubbed my temples, trying to get rid of the annoying headache that had settled in.I stood up, stretching my arms and legs. I headed to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and splashed some water on my face. The cool water helped me relax.I looked in the mirror, and my eyes widened as I remembered what had happened last night. The memories came rushing back, and I felt a mix of emotions.A wave of panic washed over me as I struggled to recall the events of the previous night. "What did I do?" I whispered to myself, my mind racing with fragmented memories. I rubbed my temples again, trying to massage away the throbbing pain as more visions flashed through my mind.My fingers drifted to my lips, and I was instantly transported back to the moment when Ethan's lips had touched mine. The sensation still lingered, a gentle tingling that seemed to echo through every nerve ending.I
Ethan's POV The ceremony went off without any major hitches, although there were a few dramatic moments that kept things interesting.Tonight was different, however. As I watched Ava and Liam together, I was surprised to find that the familiar pangs of sadness and disappointment were noticeably absent.I felt a deep sense of gratitude that the bitter emotions I had long harbored had finally begun to dissipate.Emily and I headed to the nightclub for a meeting with Don Sacrum, a prominent investor. Unconventional as it may seem, Don consistently preferred conducting business in such settings. His reputation preceded him, and I made it a point to be available at his beck and call, regardless of the hour.As the son of a renowned billionaire, Don Sacrum had inherited a vast fortune following his father's passing a few months prior.I glanced over at Emily, noticing a look of discomfort on her face. Seeking to alleviate her unease, I gently took her small hand in mine, offering a reassur
Emily's POV Ava's smile was a thin, cruel line. "Don't play dumb," she sneered. "I know all about the way Ethan looks at you now. The way he hangs on your every word."Ava's words hung in the air, her implication clear. I felt a surge of indignation, but I kept my tone level. "I don't know what you're insinuating, Ava," I said, "but I assure you, nothing is going on between Ethan and me."Ava's smile was a cold, calculated thing. "Even if there is something between you and Ethan," she said, her voice dripping with malice, "I promise you, it's coming to an end soon."Ava's gaze flicked to my ears, her eyes narrowing as she gestured to the earrings. "Those belong to me," she stated, her tone cold and possessive.I turned to Ava, my gaze locking onto hers. "What belongs to you?" I asked, my voice even and measured."Those earrings," she replied, her voice firm, her eyes never leaving mine."I think you must be mistaken," I said, my tone polite but firm. "Those earrings couldn't possibly