8
Carter Mansion.
Ethan stared at his phone, the disconnected call glowing on the screen. He didn’t move. Didn’t breathe.
A strange unease gnawed at him-buried under a rising, simmering anger.
Luna really hung up on him. On him. Before he even finished talking. Especially when he’d softened his tone for orce.
Soft, boneless arms slid around him from behind, fingers tracing across his chest like a snake. Chloe pressed her entire body against his back.
“Mr. Carter… thinking about me? Want to go again?”
Her breathy voice sliced through the tension knotting in Ethan’s gut. He grabbed her and shoved her onto the couch. devouring her mouth in a hard, hungry kiss.
But just as quickly, a stark image flashed before him-
Luna’s face that afternoon.
Ashen. Empty. Completely hollow.
Something sharp punched through his chest.
Ethan jerked back and shoved Chloe away-too hard. She hit the floor with a thud, stunned. Tears sprang to her eyes, trembling in that fragile, pitiful way she knew he liked.
“Mr. Carter… what did I do…?”
Before, Ethan would’ve melted. He would’ve pulled her into his arms, soothed her, spoiled her.
But today? Luna’s face wouldn’t leave his head.
He didn’t even look at Chloe.
Chloe froze, humiliated, then crawled back onto his lap. Her arms wrapped around him again, hands trailing down his chest, sliding lower-
Ethan snapped out of it. He caught her wrist, grip iron-tight.
“Not here,” he murmured, voice deep and rough.”Luna will be home any minute. She’ll get upset if she sees us.”
Jealousy flared in Chloe’s eyes. She bit her lip, wanting to push him further, but Ethan suddenly shoved her off again.
He stood and buttoned his shirt-one button at a time, up to his collar. When he spoke, his voice was pure cold steel.
“Our healing ritual is over. You’re moving out today.”
Chloe froze.
The healing ritual? The excuse he’d used to bring her here? Why was he suddenly throwing it back at her?
“Mr. Carter… that ritual wasn’t… fake, right?” she whispered, trying to sound innocent.
Ethan’s gaze snapped to her-ice, sharp enough to cut.
“Watch your mouth.”
The air dropped ten degrees. Chloe bowed instantly, not daring to breathe wrong.
“I’ll call you when I need you,” Ethan said flatly.”Until then, you don’t step foot in my house.”
10 01
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Cem to L-lite By f
He didn’t even look back as he walked upstairs.
He liked his wife obedient… but she hadn’t even blinked when she saw him with other women No crying No jealousy. Nothing.
A hot, frustrated rage surged through Ethan’s chest.
He’d made up that whole ritual. Brought Chloe home. Told Luna to leave them alone. And she just… didn’t care.
Did she even still love him?
Ethan gripped his phone, staring hard at the blank screen. Waiting for Luna’s name to appear.
It didn’t.
Should he… call her again?
A new thought hit him.
The Blessing Charm.
Didn’t she promise to get him one weeks ago? Why hadn’t she given it to him yet?
Unease coiled tighter and tighter inside him.
He couldn’t take it anymore. He dialed her.
‘Sorry, the number you’ve dialed is powered off…”
Ethan frowned.
Was she jealous? Just throwing a tantrum?
At that thought, some of his tension eased.
Still jealous. Good. She still cared.
He had been ignoring her recently. And Chloe… honestly, he was getting bored. He’d make it up to Luna in a few days.
Twice over.
He grabbed his phone again.
“Secretary Mike, our six-year anniversary is in three days. Budget: one billion dollars. Make it insane.”
He hung up with a smug, satisfied smile.
Everything was under control.
Chloe packed her things slowly, glancing back at the mansion again and again, half-hoping Ethan would come running after her.
He didn’t.
Yes, she wanted his money-but damn it, disappointment still stung. Maybe she was actually falling for him.
Chloe clenched her jaw.
Get it together.
Ethan was moody as hell. The second he got what he wanted, he flipped. She wouldn’t tolerate him for a second it Mrs. Carter Sr. weren’t paying her so much.
That bitch, Chloe seethed silently. Her mom literally got murdered, and she’s still crawling back to him.
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The faster Luna got out, the faster she’d get paid.
Chem 1860
