Page 42 of Shattered Secrets
“I need you.” His voice is hoarse and low.
“The hell with you!” I shout. “By what right? When I needed you the most, you dumped me. You threw me to the dogs. You have no right to come to me now. And for what? Just sex? Go sleep with one of the girls chasing you.” I shout my pain, everything that’s inside me coming out with each word.
It’s as if all the air went out of him at once, the straight shoulders now hunched. He runs a hand through his hair.
“You’re right,” he says in such a weak voice that I have to strain to hear him.
I remain silent, and he turns and leaves, leaving me standing there alone on shaky legs.
I sit on the chair, trying to control myself. Trying to stop the uncontrollable shaking for long minutes. It was a mistake coming here. I wasn’t ready for this at all, and I knew it. I want to lock the office door and stay here, away from everyone. But I promised Olive a story. I can’t let her down.
I close my eyes and inhale deeply before walking back out into the crowd.
The event is amazing. Models in wedding dresses walk among the guests, gigantic screens project interviews with Olive, and fashion shows of the dresses. I recognize a lot of familiar faces, celebrities, and influencers.
I need to interview them. I have a story to prepare. Damn, I was so shocked I forgot I had work to do. Where is Claire?
I find her immersed in photo shoots of the models. At least she does her job properly.
I call her to come with me and approach one of the TikTok stars I recognize.
“Libby! Libby!” I call after her, and she turns to me with a fake smile.
“Yes?”
“I’m Ayala Beckett, from the magazineStyle in Class. Do you mind answering a few questions?” She looks impressed. They are always thirsty for more attention and more publicity.
I ask her some questions about the event, what she thinks about the designer, her favorite dress and so on. The standard. I’m not looking to make waves, just to give some publicity to Olive.
We move on, but I feel Ethan’s eyes burning a hole in my back the entire time, following me everywhere I step. But I don’t look.
During our third interview, Claire whispers in my ear, “There’s a man staring at you.”
I nod. “I know.”
“Do you know him?”
I just nod. Know him? I am connected to him with the seams of my soul.
“Wait a moment. Is this? Is that the man...?” She doesn’t finish the sentence.
I bite my lip and nod again. I knew it would be hard to come here and see him, but his horrible behavior earlier reinforces my anger. And anger is good. I know how to deal with anger.
“What does he want from you?” She’s still whispering as if he can hear us over the noise of the party.
“I don’t know, and I don’t care.” He made his choice.
There is a curious look on her face. No one knows what happened there and what Ethan Wolf had to do with it. There were a lot of rumors, some of them quite crazy, such as that he was a hired assassin who got caught or that he and Michael were a couple. Some of them are close to the truth about him being my lover, but I never talked about it with anyone.
“Why didn’t you want to come?” Claire asks. “I mean, can he do anything to you? He looks scary.”
“No. Everything is fine. Don’t worry.” I turn to glance at him, and his gaze catches my eye.
He looks scary, following me like a shadow. His eyes are missing the golden glint I used to love, as now they are dark and moody. But he will never scare me. Only the strength of my feelings for him scares me now.
We continue to seek out people to interview for the story, and after I think we have enough material, I send Claire to take more photos without me.
Claire pulls away, and instantly Ethan clings to me from behind, startling me, and I jump. He takes a step back.
