Page 52 of The Ex-cavenger Hunt

Ethan hands me his shirt, his jaw clenching as he glares at his mother. “Get out, Mother,” he says, his voice low and controlled, but I can hear the anger simmering beneath the surface.

“Is that the way you treat the woman who gave you life?” Mrs. Montgomery asks, her tone indignant and self-righteous.

“No, that’s the way I’m defending the woman I love,” he says, his voice firm and unwavering. My heart skips a beat at his words, a warmth spreading through my chest despite the tense situation.

“The woman you what?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. I’m unsure of how to feel about those words, especially in this awkward and uncomfortable moment. This is definitely not the place for such a declaration.

Mrs. Montgomery begins, her face twisted in disgust. “You can’t possibly be in love with her. She’s an insolent person who can’t?—”

“Stop, Mother,” Ethan says, his voice rising as he steps forward, placing himself between his mother and me. His shoulders are tense, his hands balled into fists at his sides. “I won’t let you speak about Lily that way. She’s the woman I love, and if you can’t accept that, then I suggest you leave.”

I stare at Ethan, my heart pounding in my chest as his words echo in my mind. “You love me?” I ask, my voice trembling slightly.

Ethan turns to face me, his eyes softening as he takes my hands in his. “This isn’t how I wanted you to find out.” He huffs out a self-deprecating chuckle, running a thumb over my knuckles.

“You love me.” My breath catches in my throat, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. I was afraid I would never hear those words from him.

“Ethan.” His mother’s voice scratches the back of my brain, grating on my nerves and pulling me back to the uncomfortable reality of the situation.

I turn to her, my eyes narrowing as frustration and anger bubble up inside me. “Do you mind?” I ask, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “We’re having a moment here, lady. Not everything is about you. Not the cake, not Dom and Cleo’s wedding, and definitely not right now.” I cross my arms, my stance defiant as I stare her down.

“Mom, please leave. I’ll call you tomorrow,” Ethan says, his gaze never leaving mine. The intensity in his eyes sends a flutter through my stomach, and I find myself getting lost in their depths.

“But she’s—” his mother begins, her face contorted in disapproval.

“Stop right there before you ruin our relationship,” he threatens her, his voice low and dangerous as he moves toward her.

He calls the elevator, his finger jabbing the button with more force than necessary.

“I don’t approve of this,” she says, her voice cold and clipped. “You’re making a mistake, Ethan. She’s not good enough for you.” Her words cut through me like a knife, and I flinch, my heart clenching painfully in my chest.

Ethan’s jaw clenches, and I can feel the tension radiating from his body. “That’s not your decision to make, Mother,” he says, his voice firm and unwavering. “I love Lily, who by the way is an amazing woman. Best of all, she loves me. That’s all that matters.” He takes my hand, squeezing it reassuringly, and I feel a surge of strength and love flow through me.

“I don’t understand why you’re doing this,” she says, her brow furrowed in confusion. “I came to see you and hoped that you’ll let your father and I stay here, as usual.”

Ethan scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “It’ll be pretty weird,” he says, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “With Lily and I having sex on all the surfaces of the penthouse and . . . Let’s not do this. If you need help, I’ll pay for your hotel accommodation.”

“You might not want to hear this, but you deserve better than her,” his mother says as the elevator doors open, her tone dripping with disdain.

Ethan’s grip on my hand tightens, and he pulls me closer to him, his arm wrapping protectively around my waist. “No, Mother, I deserve to be happy, and Lily makes me happier than I’ve ever been. If you can’t accept that, then I’m sorry, but I won’t let you disrespect the woman I love.”

Once the elevator doors close, he locks them so no one can access his floor. “You have to stop distracting me, Lily Harper,” he says, a playful glint in his eyes as he pulls me closer.

“What did I do?” I ask innocently, batting my lashes at him, yet my heart is soaring because he loves me.

“I was so busy thinking of you that I forgot to lock the elevator,” he says, mocking horror, his hand clutching his chest dramatically.

“Yeah, but thanks to that, you told me that . . . you love me.” I grin, biting my lower lip as I gaze up at him through my lashes.

“I was getting to it,” he says, his voice low and husky as he leans in, his nose brushing against mine. “But I was prioritizing.”

“Who says romance isn’t dead?” I tease, my hands sliding up his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my palm.

“What matters is that you’re the most important woman in the world to me, and I love you. I think I fell in love between listening to your crazy plan and . . . getting to know every little detail about you.” His words are sincere, his eyes shining with adoration, and I feel my heart melt.

“There’s still a lot we need to learn about each other,” I say softly, my fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck.

“We have all the time in the world.” The way he says it, hopeful and determined, takes my breath away. His arms tighten around me, and I feel safe, loved, and cherished.

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