Page 31 of SEAL'S Secret Vows

“Oh! Wow!” Ethan exclaims with a mocking clap. “Welcome! Now, you get a defender. Too weak to deal with me yourself, huh?”

“Ethan, this isn't the time or place,” I say, grateful for Chase's intervention, but wary of the tension crackling in the air.

But Ethan ignores me, his gaze locked on Chase with undisguised hostility. “Who are you?” he snarls, his fists clenched at his sides. “This is between me and Nora.”

Chase is unaffected by his outburst. If anything, his anger is rising. “Not when you're causing a scene like this,” he retorts, his voice firm and unwavering. “If you want to talk to Nora, you can do it civilly and in private.Ifshe wants to talk to you.”

Ethan bristles at the challenge, his anger flaring. But before he can respond, Chase takes a step forward, his imposing frame towering over Ethan's.

“Leave now, Ethan,” Chase says, his tone leaving no argument. “Or I'll have security escort you off the premises.”

For a moment, it looks like Ethan might push back, but then he seems to think better of it, his shoulders slumping in defeat. With one last glare in my direction, he turns on his heel and storms off. He turns back and looks at the phone as he reaches the gate.

“You look like him. Is this you? Are you him?”Is Ethan just realizing?Maybe the alcohol effect is wearing off, but at least him being in that state worked in my favor. Chase’s patience is wearing thin. When Ethan gets no response, he turns back, but the guard puts a hand out to stop him. Now he’s asking for it.

“So what if I am?” Chase lifts his chin, eyes icy.

“I never thought she’d be stupid enough to let me meet you. So, this is him?” I have to do something before Ethan spills the beans. This lie wasn’t supposed to affect us with our co-workers. Just him.

“Leave, Ethan. You’re making a scene.” I beg again. When he makes no move to leave, I take a deep breath, gathering all my courage. “Guards, please escort him out.”

Two guards grab him by his arms lifting him off the floor. He turns his head back screaming at the top of his voice, his legs dangling.

“You'll see, Nora. He can't give you what I can. You'll come crawling back to me, begging for forgiveness.”

I let out a shaky breath, grateful for Chase's intervention but rattled by the confrontation I just received at work! How could Ethan come here of all places? I hope everyone sees it as a drunken man’s outburst. I never thought the pictures wouldhave driven him to drink or that he would go as far as coming to my workplace. I thought he’d just… give up.

As I turn, I meet Chase’s gaze. Despite the awkwardness, I can't help but feel a sense of relief knowing that Chase has my back.

I sense there’s a lot he wants to say. I thought I would not be able to face him after the kiss, but Ethan’s actions have proven me wrong.

“Are you okay, Nora?” He asks softly, reaching out to put a hand on my elbow. His eyes are warm. “You look shaken. Let me accompany you to your office to avoid any questions.”

“You don’t have to. I’m fine.” I shake my head, but then I realizeallof me is shaking—I’m trembling.

“No, I want to. Come on.” Chase insists on accompanying me back to my office. We walk side by side, the silence between us filled with unspoken questions and lingering tension.

“I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again. He shouldn't have been allowed entry.”

“I’m fine, Chase. You don’t have to do anything. I sent the pictures to him. That’s why he was in a fit of rage. I expected anger, but not drunkenness. I’ve never seen him drunk. The pictures either made him do it or that’s just another side to him that he carefully kept hidden.”

Chase looks at me uncertainly. “Are you sure you’re fine? A lot of people were watching.”

“I’mfine.” As the tension from Ethan's outburst filters away, I slow my place, wanting to thank him for defending me. There's something about the way he stood up for me that’s starting to give me a sense of security around him.

“Thank you,” I finally say, breaking the silence as we reach the doorway to my office. “For stepping in back there. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up when you did.”

Chase offers me a reassuring smile, his gaze warm and understanding. “You don't have to thank me, Nora. I'll always have your back, no matter what.”

His words send a shiver down my spine, stirring something deep within me. It’s similar to how I felt about the kiss, but there's a vulnerability in his expression; a raw honesty that draws me in despite my best efforts to resist.

“After all, I’m your husband, right?” His tone is light and airy, clearly joking, but his eyes are filled with a deeper meaning. I want to ask but he interrupts.

“Chase—"

“If Ethan bothers you again, let me know immediately. I’ll be in my office.” He looks like he wants to say more but doesn’t. He gives a tight smile and heads to his office.

I open the door, reeling from the events that just happened outside. Emma looks at me curiously, and I place my head on the desk, huffing a loud breath.

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