"I have nothing to say to you." My face was frosty, my emerald eyes shing with


    cold


    fury.


    I pushed open the door of Ethan''s Shadow Ghost and was about to step out. But


    as soon as my feet touched the ground, Ethan, who had entered from the other side, grabbed my wrist.


    With a forceful pull that showcased his strength, he dragged me back into the luxury vehicle. The car door closed with a definitive click.


    "Let me go!" I hissed, trying to wrench my arm from his grip.


    Ethan''s amber eyes were hard as he activated the central locking system with a flick of his finger. "We need to talk, Olivia."


    "We have nothing to discuss," I spat, reaching for the door handle again.


    Through the tinted windows, I spotted Lucas ckwood approaching the car. A momentary hope of rescue red within me.


    Ethan noticed my gaze and followed it. His amber eyes narrowed dangerously as he started the engine. "Don''t you dare-" I began, but my words were cut off as he elerated away, tires screeching against the asphalt.


    Lucas''s figure grew smaller in the side mirror as Ethan sped through the parking lot and onto the main road. "This is k********g!” I shouted, struggling against my seatbelt. The speed of the vehicle had forced me to secure it despite my anger.


    "It''s a conversation between mates," Ethan replied coldly, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.


    I watched as familiar buildings gave way to less popted areas. We were heading toward the outskirts of Silvercrest territory.


    "Where are you taking me?" I demanded, my heart beginning to race with unease.


    Ethan''s jaw tightened. "Somewhere we can talk without interruptions."


    The luxury car ate up the miles, carrying us farther from Shadow Creek and deeper into the remote areas of our territory. Trees grew denser on either side of the road.


    Finally, Ethan pulled off onto a dirt track, driving for another few minutes before stopping in a small clearing. He cut the engine, plunging us into silence.


    "Why did you bring me here?" I asked, my voice tight with anger and a hint of fear. Ethan turned to face me, his expression unreadable. "Because I want to fix this."


    Iughed bitterly. "Fix what, exactly? Our marriage? Our family? Our daughter''s death that you still refuse to acknowledge?"


    Pain shed across his face at the mention of Lily. "I know I''ve made mistakes."


    +15 Points >


    "Mistakes?" I echoed incredulously. "Is that what you call abandoning your dying daughter?"


    Ethan''s hands tightened on the steering wheel. "I can make it right, Olivia. I can give you anything you want- money, property, status-but I will not abandon Victoria and Emma."


    His words hit me like a physical blow. Even now, after learning the truth about that night five years ago, he was still choosing them over me. Over Lily.


    "So that''s your solution?" I whispered, my voice trembling with rage. "Throw money at the problem and hope it goes away?"


    Ethan''s expression hardened. "What do you want from me, Olivia? Tell me what you want, and I''ll give it to you."


    "I want Victoria''s life," I said coldly, my emerald eyes burning with grief and rage. “I want her to suffer like I''ve suffered. Like Lily suffered while you yed happy family with Victoria and Emma."


    Ethan''s face darkened with anger. "You''re being unreasonable. Victoria has done nothing to deserve your hatred."


    "Nothing?" Iughed, the sound harsh and broken. "She''s been poisoning you against me for years! She watched as her friend arranged for me to be drugged and assaulted!"


    "You''re twisting things," Ethan used, his voice rising. "You''ve never given Victoria or Emma a chance. You''ve been intolerant from the beginning."


    I stared at him in disbelief. “Intolerant? I watched my daughter die alone while youforted Emma over a scraped knee!"


    "That''s not fair," Ethan growled. "I didn''t know how serious Lily''s condition was.”


    "Because you didn''t want to know!" I shouted, tears burning in my eyes. "You chose not to know!"


    Ethan mmed his hand against the dashboard, making me flinch. "I''m trying to make this right, Olivia! Why can''t you see that?"


    "Because it''s toote," I whispered, reaching for the door handle. "Lily is gone, and nothing you do can bring her back."


    I pushed open the door and stepped out into the cool evening air. The clearing was surrounded by dense forest, with no sign of civilization in any direction.


    "Where do you think you''re going?” Ethan demanded, following me out of the car. "Away from you," I replied, walking toward what looked like a path through the trees.


    I pulled out my phone, relieved to see I had a signal, albeit weak. I scrolled


    through my contacts until I found Lucas ckwood''s number.


    Before I could press call, Ethan snatched the phone from my hand. "Who are you calling?"