Page 41 of Forbidden Fiancé

“I’m sorry to hear that, but that is your choice,” I said.

Natalie leaned her head against my shoulder. She was trying to support me and knew how much Ethan’s rejection hurt. We might not have ever been close but I hated the thought of losing my son because he didn’t like who his ex decided to be with.

“No, you don’t understand me. You two are never going to get married,” Ethan said.

“You can’t stop us,” Natalie said.

“Really? Did Dad tell you how he retired but he’s still a member of the board. He’s supposed to get his retirement package when he gets back. A cool two billion dollars. But I could take that away. All it would take is one phone call,” Ethan said.

“Is that true?” Natalie asked.

“The money, yes. Ethan is on the board but he doesn’t have the authority to take the retirement package away,” I said.

“But the board does,” Ethan said.

“Yes,” I said slowly. I wasn’t sure what Ethan was getting at but I didn’t like it.

“How do you think the board would feel if they found out you had raped my fiancé?” Ethan said.

“That didn’t happen and you know it,” Natalie said.

“I don’t know. You have no idea what I saw or what I interpreted when I came in just now. You were screaming, my father was holding you down. What else was I supposed to believe?”

“If you honestly thought that, then you’ve never heard what a woman sounds like when she is being completely, fully, and totally satisfied by a man,” Natalie said and stood in front of me.

I wanted to clap and applaud her for her comment. My heart swelled at her standing up for us and for giving it to Ethan.

“That isn’t how I see it. My father is an older, wealthy, influential man. You were alone and vulnerable when I got sick on the Destiny and I couldn’t protect you. My father took advantage of your naïve and delicate state,” Ethan said.

“If you think that Natalie is delicate or naïve, then you don’t know her at all,” I said.

“I don’t need to know, Natalie. I just need the board to believe what I’m saying and prevent you from having what you want,” Ethan said.

“The board won’t believe you,” I said.

“They will when they see this little video I took of you.” Ethan held up his phone.

I heard Natalie taken in a shocked breath.

“You didn’t,” I said.

“Are you sure? Do you want to risk your reputation, your retirement, hell, even your freedom on that?” Ethan asked.

I was sure he was bluffing. Ethan wasn’t smart enough to think this far ahead. There were too many holes in his story and no one would buy it.

“What do you want, Ethan? What do I have to do so you don’t do that to your father?” Natalie asked.

“Don’t give into his demands,” I said to her.

“Come with me now. Agree to never see him again or I will call the board and show them what I have,” Ethan said,

“Not gonna happen,” I said.

“Okay,” Natalie said at the same time.

“Natalie, no,” I said and turned her around to look at me.

“It’s okay. I can’t be the reason you lose your reputation and your retirement. You have worked too hard to throw it all away,” Natalie said.

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