Chapter 7
ETHAN
I didn’t even make it through the front door, having it out in the communal hallway so her neighbours could eavesdrop and catch me in the most perilous position—with a fucking pink dildo shoved halfway up my shirt and a killer bruise forming on my cheekbone.
Fucking hell. My girl had a mean right hook… especially with a solid weapon in her hand.
I wasn’t fazed about her outburst. If anything, I was glad when she finally snapped and showed me some of that emotion—even if it did involve Alicia knocking some sense into me. Who knew a plastic dick could be more useful than my actual dick? Not me.
Sure, I was an immature fool for baiting her, but I was disturbed, entirely unhinged when faced with Alicia’s cold indifference. I was dealing with a new woman. Someone I hadn’t met before.
I went there with the intention of saying so much, but instead, I lost my composure and spewed pure shit instead.
I fumbled… again . And I had no fucking idea how to pull myself out of the gigantic hole I had trapped myself in.
Alicia said we were done, which I was unable to accept. I had to keep fighting, invading her space to show Alicia that she was what I wanted.
And that’s what I intended to do.
Buckle up, love. I’m coming for you.
Alicia still had me blocked, so I tried the only form of contact I had access to.
A few dial tones rang when she answered the phone. “Stella Financial Management, Alicia speaking.”
“Ali, it’s Ethan.”
“Who?”
“You heard me, love. I need to see you.”
Beep. Beep. Beep. She hung up on me.
I didn’t even hesitate to press redial. When she answered again, her professional cadence had a bit of flint to it.
“I’m not sure who this is, but if you don’t stop harassing me, I’ll have security block your calls.”
Beep. Beep. Beep.
She wouldn’t even let me get a word in. Lucky for her, I was just giving a courtesy call since I was already on my way.
I lied to the front desk and said I had an appointment with Alicia, and Felix’s secretary was too busy eye-fucking me to actually check the schedule properly.
Alicia’s office was down a secluded corridor, and I was lucky enough not to run into anyone along the way, which could only mean that my impromptu visit was meant to be.
As I approached closer, I found the door ajar as two female voices carried through.
“Have you got everything packed?” Alicia asked.
“Pretty much. This should be our last trip for a while. You sure you’re going to be okay on your own? I know you didn’t want to come back and leave him,” said the stranger’s voice.
Him? Who the fuck is him ?
“Of course, Lex. Don’t worry about me. Pour all that energy into Dad,” Alicia replied, then her voice dipped. “How is he doing?”
My foot faltered, instinct warning me to take a step back. I had never heard her so vulnerable. She was having a private conversation with Lex—her sister ,Alexis.
“He’s doing surprisingly well—don’t give me that look, Ali. I mean it. For someone who has just had a stroke, he’s doing better than expected…”
The rest of their conversation filtered off as I processed the monumental news that I had fallen upon. More accurately, eavesdropped on.
I shouldn’t be here. I should not fucking be here, listening to this.
My insides were warring in existential crisis—cataloguing all the bullshit I had thrown at Alicia since she had confessed her feelings for me.
Her father had a bloody stroke, and I was so self-absorbed that I blamed her for running from me.
Oh, no. I had to get out of there.
I stumbled backward, about to retreat, but of course, fate decided to shit on me further, preventing my escape.
Alexis exited the office with a young boy tethered to her hand. She hadn’t spotted me yet, closing the door behind her.
They looked exactly like their family portraits hanging in Alicia’s apartment. A weird sensation took me over as their stationary smiles shifted to real life before my eyes.
Then she turned, her frame immediately seizing when her green orbs caught on me. Her bitter gaze made me cold, as if my brain was getting freezer burn the longer I remained in her presence.
“Um, nice to meet you,” I croaked.
“Hmm, is it?”
Why did I engage? It wasn’t a conscious thought—my mind was in survival mode, so my mouth was running on its own.
Shut your fucking mouth, idiot.
I pivoted my gaze from her narrowed one to the young boy beside her, searching for some reprieve from her unimpressed glare.
The little guy tilted his head, perusing me with open curiosity. That’s it!
I gave him my most charming, gleaming smile—the one I gave all my fans and decided would win over Alicia’s nephew.
“You want an autograph, young fella?”
“What’s an autograph?”
Umm, awkward. Metaphorical crickets sounded between us. Fucking kill me. Dead. Right now, please.
“Ahh, it’s a signature. My name for you to keep later, to show you met me.”
“Why? Who are you?”
Alexis smirked. “Yeah, who are you?”
I cringed. The animosity flowing from Alexis was suffocating. There was no doubt she knew who I was—especially who I was to Alicia.
“Mama, is he my daddy?”
What the fuck? Do all kids just go around asking this stuff?
I blanched while Alexis scoffed. “No, Austin. I wouldn’t call this man husband material, let alone father material.”
Oof. Nothing worse than someone quoting your biggest regret back at you.
Alexis steered Austin around me, making for the exit before giving me her parting blow.
“We won’t waste your time any further. We're going to have to run away now.”
Checkmate and done. Outplayed and outmanoeuvred by another Thorne.
I was done.