As we walked away, Lucas deliberately put his arm around my shoulders. I could feel Ethan''s intense gaze following us until we
disappeared from sight.
Behind us, I heard Ethan''s broken whisper to our daughter: "Lily, tell Daddy what you want in your dreams. As long as it''s what
you want, Daddy will fulfill it for you."
"I only ask that youe to see Daddy in a dream, even if it''s just once!"
His pain meant nothing to me now. It was two years toote.
Lucas drove me back to my cottage in Maple Grove. The encounter with Ethan
had left me emotionally drained, and Lucas was
considerate enough not to press me about his proposal again.
When we arrived, I didn''t immediately get out of the car. I looked at Lucas, struggling to find the right words.
He was everything Ethan wasn''t-kind, considerate, patient. But the scars from my first mating ran too deep. Loving Ethan had
cost me everything, including my precious daughter. The thought of risking my heart again terrified me.
"Olivia, don''t feel pressured," Lucas said softly. "I was too impatient. As long as you''re willing to consider me, I''m willing to wait
as long as it takes."
"Lucas..." I began, but couldn''t continue. His kindness only made me feel worse.
"Go upstairs and rest early. Don''t think too much," he said, leaning over to help unfasten my seatbelt.
I pushed open the car door and got out. Lucas walked me to my door, waiting until
I was safely inside before leaving.
I leaned against the closed door, my thoughts in chaos. Was I hesitating because Lily''s revenge remained unfulfilled? Or had Ethan''s betrayal damaged me sopletely that I couldn''t trust anyone with my heart again?
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Assuming Lucas had returned, I opened it without hesitation.
“Lucas-"The name died on my lips. "How is it you?!"
Ethan stood in my doorway, his amber eyes intense. I immediately tried to m the door shut, but he was faster.
He pushed his way inside, closing the door behind him with one hand while the other hooked around my waist. He pressed me against the door, trapping me between his arms.
"Liv, did Lucas ckwood propose to you?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.
I red at him, struggling against his hold. "Ethan Stone, let me go!"
I kicked and punched him with all my strength, not holding back. I''d stopped restraining myself around him after Lily died. Every blow carried my grief and rage, but he barely seemed to notice the pain.
"Liv, did you agree to him?" he persisted, his eyes never leaving my face.
+25 Bonus
"Let go!" I shouted, hitting him harder. “Ethan Stone, can''t you understandmon tongue? I told you to let me go! Did you
hear me, let go!"
"Liv, answer me. Did you agree to him?"
I finally stopped fighting, leaning against the door as I caught my breath. The
metallic scent of blood filled the air-I''d reopened
one of his wounds from our previous encounter.
Still, his expression remained unchanged. "Liv, did you?"
"Yes!" I snapped, too exhausted to fight anymore. "Ethan Stone, listen clearly.
There''s no possibility between you and me in this
lifetime. I can be with anyone, but I can''t be with you."
I met his gaze with cold finality. "Leave my house immediately!"
My future with Lucas might be uncertain, but my feelings about Ethan were crystal
clear. He was responsible for Lily''s death.
There could never be anything between us again.
Pain shed across his face. "Liv, you can''t be with Lucas ckwood. I won''t allow it!"
His voice carried a slight tremor despite hismanding tone.
"Ethan Stone, you''re nothing to me," I hissed. "I don''t need your permission to be with anyone! Get out of here!"
I looked at him like he was a madman, which he surely was to think he had any say in my life after what he''d done.
"What do I have to do for you to not be with Lucas
ckwood?"