Ethan’s jaw tightened.


    And that’s when I heard it–movement in the doorway.


    I turned sharply.


    Alexander was standing there, one arm crossed over the other,


    his expression unreadable. His gaze shifted briefly between us,


    then settled on me. I swallowed hard.


    How long had he been there?


    Ethan noticed him too and stepped back quickly, trying to y


    it cool. “I, uh… I made some chicken and rice soup for you,” he


    said, suddenly fumbling for casual. “Would you like me to get


    it?”


    I didn’t answer. I was still trying to decode the look on


    Alexander’s face.


    But he didn’t say anything. Didn’t walk in. Didn’t give Ethan a


    reaction.


    He just looked at me for a moment longer, then turned and


    walked away.


    The click of the door closing behind him echoed louder than it


    should have.


    “Here,” Ethan said after a moment, walking toward the table


    with a thermos in hand. “I’ll just leave it here.”


    “Put it down,” I said quietly, already exhausted.


    He set it down on the bedside table, but he didn’t back away.


    Instead, he crossed his arms and looked at me like I’dmitted


    some kind of betrayal.


    “Tell me something,” he said. “Do you want Alexander to feed


    you instead?”


    I blinked. “What?”


    “Is that what this is about? You want me gone so you can run


    into his arms?”


    I stared at him, speechless for a second. “You’re unbelievable.”


    “I’m serious,” he snapped. “I’ll believe nothing’s going on between


    you two if you resign ande home.”


    Iughed, “You think this is about proving my innocence to


    you? You, of all people?”


    He didn’t even flinch. “I’m still your husband.”


    “No, you’re the man who slept with another woman while I was


    still healing from the wounds of our wedding night”


    “That was… just to maintain the diplomatic rtions between


    our n,” he whispered.


    “Oh! Shut up! I don’t want to hear any of your pathetic reasons,”


    I said. “And, I’m not resigning. I’m not leaving. And I’m definitely


    not going back.”


    “You’re using him to get back at me,” he said, almost childishly.


    “You’re trying to make me jealous.”


    “I’m doing my job,” I replied coldly.


    Ethan took a deep breath, held it, then let it out through his


    nose. “Then I’ll stay,” he said quietly. “As your husband. I’ll take


    care of you!”


    “I don’t need you to take care of me.”


    “I’ll stay anyway,” he insisted. “Because you’re still mine.”


    I turned away from him.


    I could only ignore him now. Expecting Ethan to understand or


    obey was harder than training a feral dog.


    An hourter, the door creaked open again.


    Alexander walked in with Gai and Jess. I sat upright. My thigh still ached, but I didn’t want to seem fragile, especially not in


    front of her.


    Jess stood awkwardly by the foot of the bed. She looked much


    calmer than thest time I saw her, though her eyes still held


    that calcting glint.


    “I want to apologize,” she began, “Forst night. I misunderstood


    your intentions, Olivia.”


    I raised an eyebrow slightly but kept my tone neutral. “Apology


    epted. I understand you were emotional.”


    I knew the apology wasn’t for me. It was for Alexander.


    Everything about her was always for Alexander.


    Alexander didn’t speak at first. He just looked at me, then at the


    IV line still taped to my hand.


    “You should rest more,” he said. “And no more risking your life


    again.”


    His tone was firm, protective. I felt a flutter in my chest, one I


    quickly silenced. Even Yve felt a hint of warmth in Alexander’s


    words.


    Before I could respond, Ethan–who had been ring from the


    couch–stood up.


    “She’s in no condition to be anyone’s secretary,” he said sharply. “Especially yours.”


    I blinked. “Excuse me?”


    Jess took that moment to step forward, her voice lilting with eagerness. “If it helps, I can return as your secretary, Alexander.”


    I almostughed. Was this a coordinated ambush?


    “Thanks but it is not needed,” I said inly, turning to


    Alexander. “and if this is a question of whether I want to resign


    -then no. I don’t!”


    Alexander met my eyes. “Good.”


    Jess stiffened. Ethan, meanwhile, looked like he was choking on


    his own breath.


    Alexander added, “The doctors say you’ll need at least a week to


    recover. I’ll arrange for a private jet. You shouldn’t travel


    I shook my head. “Thank you, but I’ll go back with the team. I


    don’t want special treatment.”


    He gave a small nod. “As you wish.” He nced at Jess. “We’ll


    head out. Gai, with me.”


    As they turned to leave, Jess lingered a moment, throwing a


    frosty nce my way. I held her stare, calm, unshaken. She


    followed Alexander out, her heels clicking hard against the


    floor.