Ava shot him a grateful smile. “Alpha Alexander, you are so


    generous. Every girl should get a partner like you.”


    “Don’t try. I am not interested in women.” Alexander nced at


    Ava, then turned to Ethan.


    Ethan opened his mouth, his fangs faintly glinting in his parted


    lips–his anger surfacing. He looked at Alexander, as though


    daring him.


    Avaid a hand on his arm. “Ethan, this isn’t your fight tonight.


    Let’s go.””


    He looked between them, rage simmering. “I’m not done here.”


    Alexander shook his head. “You are done. Come!””


    Ethan glowered, but he didn’t move. I felt Ava’s eyes on me-


    warm yet hesitant.


    She squeezed my hand. “Come on. Let’s get you home.””


    I watched Ethan once more, torn, then strode past him. I


    climbed into Ava’s car as Alexander pulled Ethan toward his


    waiting car.


    I didn’t look back, but I heard the low rumble of their engines


    starting, then fading down the dark street.


    The Next Morning


    I woke to soft sunlight slipping through the blinds and the


    distant hum of a quiet street outside. My body ached–especially


    my leg–but the scent of warm scrambled eggs and toast drifted


    through the air, cutting through the fog of sleep. I blinked and


    sat up slowly, surprised by the calm.


    A tray sat on the nightstand with a neatly prepared breakfast- avocado toast, scrambled eggs, and a cup of ck coffee. Beside it, a small folded note with Ava’s handwriting:Eat well. I had to step out. Lock the doors. Don’t text back if you’re tired–just rest.


    I smiled faintly. Of course, she would think of everything.


    I picked up the toast and took a bite, chewing slowly. It was warm,forting–but my thoughts were far from settled. The peace of the morning was deceptive.


    I thought about Amelia and Chole. The way Chole had spiraledtely, and how unpredictable Amelia had be ever since I started fighting back. Could the two of them be working


    together again?


    I frowned, chewing on the thought. Chole was too far go. emotionally—on the verge of <i>a </i>full breakdown. Even Amelia


    wouldn’t be stupid enough to throw her lot in with someone


    that unstable. But still… something felt off. The kind of off you


    feel in your chest before a storm.


    needed to stay sharp.


    I pushed the tray aside and reached for my phone, quickly


    dialing Miguel. My finger hesitated over the call button for a


    second, then pressed.


    He picked up before the first ring finished.


    “Olivia,” he said, calm and clipped.


    “I’m safe,” I said. “Just thought I should check in. I’m at Ava’s


    ce.”


    There was a small pause before he chuckled. “I know.”‘”


    “You do?”


    “Of course I do,” he said. “Nothing hides away from me.”


    Iughed. “You sure do.”


    “Stay safe and heal fast.”


    “Thanks, Miguel,” I said softly and started sipping my remaining


    coffee.


    I was still clutching my half–empty coffee cup when my phone


    buzzed again. This time, it was Rose.


    “Hey,” I answered, my voice low.


    There was no preamble. “You need to sit down for this.”


    I paused, feeling my chest tighten. “What happened?”


    Rose exhaled through the line, the sound more tense than usual “The Hawthrone family just held a press conference. It was


    Amelia–she’s the one who spoke.”


    I stood, pacing toward the window. “What did she say?”


    “She imed you seduced Ethan,” Rose said bluntly. “That you knew he was engaged to Chole and you still pushed your way into the family just to marry rich. Said you used ‘improper


    means‘ to get him to the altar.“‘


    I blinked. “Improper means?”


    “She didn’t stop there.” Rose’s voice grew tighter. “She said you were greedy, demanding money from Ethan throughout your marriage. imed that while he was on business trips, you were having an affair–with a stranger.”


    I didn’t even know what to say. I stood frozen by the window, watching the clouds drift outside.


    “And to back it all up,” Rose continued, “they released


    ‘evidence.”


    “What evidence?”


    “A screenshot of a text message from your number asking for a


    I stared at my reflection in the ss, hollow–eyed.


    Rose sounded furious. “They’re trying to paint you as some scheming gold–digger who broke up two innocent lovebirds.


    “I-“My throat felt dry. “This is insane.”


    “You think?” Rose snapped. “I’m shaking. I almost smashed myptop when I saw the news alert!”


    There was silence for a second before she added, “They’re trying to clear Chole’s name by burying yours.”


    Chapter <b>68 </b>