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    Voucher


    There was a long pause on the line. Ethan finally spoke.


    “I didn’t mean to push you. It’s my fault,” he said, voice low. “Just tell me where you are.”


    “I’lle back on my own.”


    “No,” his tone shifted – sharp,manding. “You’reing back tonight. Or I’m not sure what I’ll do.”


    I stared at the phone in disbelief.


    “Fine,” I said tly. “I’ll be there in an hour.”


    I didn’t want him to know where I’d been staying anyway.


    Ava was already pacing. “You’re really going back to that prick?”


    “He threatened me, Ava.”


    She sighed and grabbed her keys. “Let’s go. I’m not letting you drive.”


    We sat in silence for a few minutes until Ava said, “How does he even have the nerve to act mad? He cheats, he lies, he pushes you and now he’s acting like you’re the problem?”


    –


    “He’s a control freak,” I muttered.


    She looked over. “I think he’d strangle you if he found out you tricked him into signing the divorce papers.”


    I smirked, eyes fixed on the rows of houses glowing under streemps. “Maybe I should’ve poisoned him instead.”


    Ava burst outughing. “Too quick. He deserves a slower death.”


    We pulled into the driveway. Ava parked and put a hand on my arm.


    “You good?”


    I nodded once.


    I walked into the foyer. Ethan was already there, looking like he’d been pacing the whole time.


    He stepped forward. “I am d you are back.”


    I said nothing, just started taking off my shoes. As I bent over, a sharp pain shot up my back and I hissed.


    0.0 %


    13:19


    Ethan moved to help. “Let me-”


    “Don’t touch me.”


    He stopped and stepped back. I limped into the living room. He followed, holding out his phone.


    “I installed cameras in the office. You can check the footage anytime,” he said quickly. “What happened today… won’ t happen again.”


    I felt surprised. He really did something.


    “There’s nothing going on between me and Chole. She’s… she’s just yful. Like a little sister.”


    I raised a brow. “Cute enough to spend nights with?”


    He flinched. “Her father asked me to train her. Windsor Group is signing a deal next week. I had to let her in.”


    “So you hurt your wife to please your future inws.”


    “It’s not like that.”


    “And yet, you find her funny and cute,” I said, crossing my arms. “Amazing.”


    He sighed. “I told you, Olivia. There’s nothing between us.”


    There was a long silence.


    “I think you should go on your trip,” he said. “When you’re back… we can try for a baby. Then you won’t have to


    worry.”


    I smiled. A small, quiet smile.


    He thought it meant I agreed. He stepped forward and pulled me into a hug. His grip was tight. Like he didn’t want to let me go.


    But I felt nothing. Nothing but disgust.


    He broke me. Then thought a baby could fix us.


    I said nothing and let him help me up the stairs. When we got to the bedroom, he made a quick call.


    “Send the pack doctor,” he said.


    The doctor came within a few minutes and said the bone was fine. Just some muscle strain. Ethan let out a quiet sigh, like he’d been holding his breath the whole time.


    When I got up to go to the bathroom, he followed right after me,


    “I’ll help you,” he said, hand already reaching out.


    I stopped at the doorway. “No need.”


    28.3 %


    13:19


    I looked right at him. His hands had touched many naked women. If he touched me with those hands, I might have re- ally poisoned him.


    He blinked. Then nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ll wait outside. Just call me if you need anything.”


    I smiled.


    He was still outside the door when I came out in my nightgown. I saw the desire in his eyes when he looked at me. He wasn’t even trying to hide it.


    “My back still hurts,” I said, walking past him, “so if you’re nning to do anything tonight, just know I won’t be able to ‘satisfy’ you.”


    He didn’t move. Then he came up behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and kissed my shoulder.


    “I’ll be gentle,” he whispered, like that made everything okay.


    I didn’t move. “I’m not in the mood. I’m tired. I’m sore.”


    He paused. His grip loosened.


    The next day, I didn’t go to the office. Instead, I called my team from the project department and invited them to din- ner. I’d already booked a private room.


    Everyone showed up on time. There was a buzz of small talk and light chatter when I walked in.


    We ordered food. After everyone had settled, I stood and raised my ss and told them I was leaving thepany.


    The room went silent.


    Lily’s eyes widened. “You’re serious?”


    I nodded. “Yeah. It’s a personal decision.”


    Lily set her ss down. “I still remember when you joined. Everyone said you were just the Alpha’s girlfriend. Some of us believed it.”


    I smiled a little. “That’s fair.”


    “But then you actually worked. You brought in deals. You stayedte with us. You made Ethan lookzy.”


    That got a fewughs.


    “Once you’re gone,” Lily added, her voice shaky, “this department is going to feel hollow. You’ve been our back- bone.”


    “I’ll still be around,” I said. “You can call me anytime, And if you ever want to hang out, I’m game.”


    Lily wiped her eyes.


    Someone else at the table said, “So what’s next for you?”


    “I don’t know yet,” I said honestly. “Maybe travel. Maybe start over somewhere else.”


    “Green Group might be hiring,” one of the guys said. “CEO just got back from London. Still looking for a chief secre- tary.”