2025-02-13 21:26:42Ethan pushed through the crowd in the bar, looking for his wife.
The bar pounded with loud music. The air reeked of sweat, alcohol, and cologne.
The kind of place where drinks flowed as fast as bad decisions. Ethan’s hands curled into fists.
His fingers curled around his phone, a photo still glaring on the screen: Madeline Reed, his wife of three years, stepping into this very bar with another man.
A man in a tailored suit, oozing money and arrogance. His hand resting way too comfortably on her hip.
Ethan felt something sharp twist in his chest, but he forced himself to keep moving.
He needed to see this for himself. Needed to hear it from her own lips.
The moment he spotted her, his stomach dropped.
Madeline was in a private booth. Her back to him, unmistakable.
She wasn’t just talking to the guy.
She was kissing him. With togues.
The man’s hand gripped her, holding her close. The Rolex on his wrist flashed under the dim light.
Like it was mocking him.
Ethan clenched his jaw. Rage surged through him as he stormed forward.
“Madeline!”
The music was loud, but his voice cut through it like a blade.
She stiffened, tearing herself from the man’s arms and turning sharply.
When her gaze met Ethan’s, something flickered in her eyes. Guilt? Panic?
But it vanished as quickly as it came. She smoothed her hair, organizing her face into indifference.
Ethan squeezed the words out of his back teeth.
“Care to explain?”
She was wearing a red dress that clung to her body, revealing her cleavage. Her skirt was too short that she showed half her panties on the chair.
She had never bothered to dress this sexy in front of Ethan before.
She didn’t answer. Just lifted her drink, taking a slow sip.
The man beside her smirked. He leaned back, lazily draping an arm over the couch.
“Is that him?” His tone was amused when he turned to Madeline. “Your loser husband?”
Madeline’s lips curled in distaste.
“Not for much longer.”
The words hit Ethan like a sledgehammer. His mind buzzed.
He forced himself to breathe. To stay calm.
“Just come home with me,” he said, voice tight. “We’ll talk.”
Madeline let out a cold laugh. She set her drink down with a loud clink.
“Talk?”
She arched a brow.
“Talk about what? How you can’t even afford to buy me a decent gift?”
“How I wasted three years waiting for you to be someone rich?”
Ethan inhaled sharply. His fingers twitched.
“You weren't like this.” His voice was low, controlled, "When you were a little girl..."
They were just around 8 years old. That little girl was kind and innocent. Brought a bright light into the little Ethan's life.
"What little girl?" Madeline sounded puzzled, "What the fuck are you talking about. I never met you as a little girl. What are you? A creep?"
Ethan barely caught it. He flicked his gaze to the man beside her.
Robert Davenport.
A smirking bastard who was enjoying the show.
Madeline scoffed.
“You don’t get it, do you?”
“Look at yourself, Ethan. Then look at him.”
She leaned into Robert’s side, fingers tracing the expensive fabric of his suit.
“Robert drives a Bentley. Lives in a penthouse. Buys me whatever I want.” Her lips curled. “What do you have? A tiny apartment? A paycheck that barely covers rent?”
Ethan’s chest burned.
Robert snickered.
“Tough break, man.” He pulled Madeline closer to him. “But hey, at least she’s being honest.”
His fingers brushed against her dress. Like Ethan wasn’t even standing there.
Ethan let out a slow breath.
"Did you forget everything I gave you?"
Madeline’s eyes burned with cold disdain.
"Gave me?" She let out a sharp laugh. "What exactly did you give me, Ethan?"
"You ran my bath? Cooked me breakfast? Picked me up after work? You think those little things matter? Hell, even a dog could do that."
Ethan’s lips curled into a bitter smile.
"I gave you everything."
He took a step closer, voice dropping to a razor-sharp edge.
"Your company. Your wealth. Your status. You think you built all that on your own?"
"The first round of funding? I provided it."
"Your key business connections? I introduced them to you."
"When your company was on the verge of collapse, bleeding money—I filled the gap."
Madeline’s eyes widened.
Then, suddenly, she burst into laughter.
"Are you serious right now?"
Her voice dripped with mockery.
"You? A broke loser who can’t even afford a decent belt? You expect me to believe you had the money to support me?"
She scoffed, crossing her arms.
"Those investments came from anonymous backers—people who actually saw potential in my company. Not you!"
Anonymous?
Yeah. Because Ethan made it anonymous.
Because he wanted to protect her pride.
"Do you remember the ring you gave me?" Ethan asked suddenly.
"There is no more fucking ring. I threw my poor wedding ring already."
"No, the ring you gave me, years ago." Ethan emphasized.
Madeline shook her head, eyes filled with disdain.
"God, you really are pathetic. Not just poor, but delusional."
"This just proves I was right all along."
She reached into her purse, and pulled out a stack of papers.
She dropped them onto the table.
"Divorce papers," she said coolly. "Sign them. Now."
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Almost immediately, she pulled out her cell phone and was ready to call Kathrine.But Ethan never met Kathrine. She keeps her loser husband from being known to her friends.She thought of another possibility, an even greater one.Did he pick it up after I threw it away? Has he been holding onto it all these years?"What a creep." Madeline spat.She carelessly tossed the silver ring onto the floor.Just then, her phone buzzed. The screen lit up with Robert’s name.Her expression shifted immediately.Her earlier disdain replaced with a practiced sweetness."Hey, Robert, don’t tell me you miss me already?" she purred.Robert chuckled on the other end."Madeline, get ready. You’re coming with me to meet with Brightstar Corporation tonight."The name alone sent a jolt through her chest.Brightstar Corporation - the most powerful company in Atlantis City!If Robert was handling this deal personally, then this was far from some casual business meeting.Suppressing her excitement, she replied
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Madeline saw the flicker of confusion in his eyes and smirked, mistaking it for guilt.“Wow, Ethan. Just when I thought you couldn’t sink any lower.”She jabbed a finger at his chest.“I thought you were just poor. But a thief?”“Stealing from my friend? Have you no shame?"She folded her arms, like an arrogant hen.“Honestly, I was already being kind asking for two million in alimony. If I take you to court, you’ll lose even more. You should be grateful for my generosity.”Ethan snapped out of his daze.He swatted her hand away. His voice was as cold as ice."Enough, Madeline.""I have never stolen anything in my life."She flinched for half a second but quickly recovered, tossing her hair back."Oh, so now you're yelling at me? You really are insane! A broke lunatic who can't even admit when he’s caught!"Her voice rose, sharp and grating."Two million, Ethan. You promise to pay me, or I’ll make sure the entire Brightstar Corporation knows what kind of trash you are."Madeline tappe
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Edith stood there in an expensive Chanel suit. Well, it was at least two sizes too small.It clung to her oversized frame like Barbie clothes stretched over a balloon.When she crossed her arms, the buttons seemed ready to pop at any second.She blocked the doorway like an immovable wall.It was clear that she wasn’t about to let him in.Ethan let out a tired sigh.“I’m not here to cause trouble. I left something behind, and I’m here to take it. That’s all.”Edith let out a sharp, mocking laugh. Sounded like a deflating balloon.“Something? You?” she sneered.“Everything in this house! Everything you ate! Everything you used! All belong to Maddy!”“What the hell do you think you own anything here?”“You worthless, freeloading loser! And now you’re crawling back?!”She stepped forward, jabbing her finger into Ethan’s shoulder.Her spit flying in the air.Ethan’s eye devoid of any emotion. An oppressive aura surrounded him.When Edith met his gaze, she couldn’t help but shiver.Ethan l
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Ethan let out a short, mirthless laugh. He shook his head. "Stop your wedding?”“Madeline, I have told you. I couldn’t care less about your wedding."Madeline sneered. "Oh really?” “Then what are you doing here?” “I just told you yesterday I was getting married on Serantis Island. And today—suddenly, you’re on this ship?”“And you expect me to believe that’s a coincidence?!"Ethan’s expression was hard. "It is."Madeline barked out a laugh. "Bullshit. Everyone knows, you just wanna beg me to be back to you."Ethan sighed helplessly. "What can I say?""If I really wanted to ruin your wedding, you wouldn’t have even made it onto this ship today."Madeline let out laugh, infuriated by Ethan’s tone."Blah, blah, blah- You really think you’re something important, aren’t you? We are all your servants. Even Lewis Parker is your servant!”The guests around them couldn’t help but chuckle. Among the crowd of elites, not a single person recognized who Ethan was. Didn’t that say it all?
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Kathrine approached with her usual lively energy. She waved, her lips curling into a playful grin.“Miss Kathrine, fancy running into you here,” Ethan said, his tone laced with amusement.Kathrine rolled her eyes. “Drop the ‘Miss,’ will you? Just Kathrine is fine.” Resting her elbows on the railing beside him, she glanced sideways. "Are you heading to Serantis Island too?"Ethan hesitated for a beat, then nodded. "Something like that."Her face lit up. “That’s great! I’m going there too! For a wedding! My friend Madeline is getting married.”His fingers drummed idly against the cold metal, his expression unreadable. "Is that so? Well... Congratulations to her."Kathrine, oblivious to the shift in his demeanor, continued chatting, her eyes drifting toward the white waves.“To be honest, I don’t really like the guy she’s marrying. Robert’s all talk.” “He is just one of those guys who think a fancy yacht and a garage full of sports cars make up for having an actual personality.”
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The Carnival Cruise, the world’s number-one luxury liner, had just docked at Atlantis Pier.Twenty-one decks.Every inch, sheer opulence.Ethan, dressed in simple, casual clothes, arrived at the entrance.As he looked up at the familiar white ship, memories flooded his mind.“It has been a while, old buddy.” He said to the ship.Just as he was about to step in—A sharp, piercing voice rang out behind him.“Ethan Saxon! What are you doing here?”The voice made him pause. It was familiar, unpleasantly so.Turning around, he wasn’t surprised to see Edith Reed—Madeline’s mother.The shoulder was strapped up in a sling, but the sour expression on her face was as sharp as ever.“And what, exactly, is stopping me from being here?” Ethan raised an eyebrow. “You’re here too.”“Hah!”Edith let out a cold laugh, her posture full of arrogance.“I’m here because I’m boarding this ship to Sarentis Island!“For my daughter’s wedding! And you?”She folded her arms, looking him up and down with open d
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“Oh, and by the way,”Madeline added with a triumphant smile,“Three days from now, Robert and I are getting married!”“So, stop sticking to me like a piece of gum, you've missed your chance!”Ethan heard this and simply gave a smile.“You’re getting married? Well, congratulations, then.”Madeline froze for a moment, thrown off by his calm response.She had expected a different reaction, something full of rage or jealousy.Anything but this kind of nonchalance!The emptiness of his response only made her angrier.She was excepting him losing control because of upset.As the exact reaction wasn’t coming.“Keep pretending! Let’s see how long you can keep up the act!”Madeline smirked, eyes brimming with contempt.In her mind, Ethan was just putting on an act—clinging to his last shred of dignity.And the calmer he appeared, the more it irritated her.Ethan frowned.“Do you finally get nuts?”He had been trying to avoid a pointless argument, but her arrogance was getting annoyed.Madelin
Chapter 14
“By the way, darling,”Madeline suddenly asked, blinking in confusion.“The Carnival cruise has never docked at Atlantis before. Why now?”It was true.A ship of that caliber only stopped at the biggest coastal cities on the West Coast.Why would it suddenly choose to dock in a place like Atlantis?Robert’s expression remained composed.“From what I’ve heard, Lewis Parker is personally welcoming a mystery guest.”Madeline’s jaw dropped.“Someone important enough to make Lewis Parker show up in person?!”And that person was here, in Atlantis?“That, I don’t know.”Robert shrugged.Madeline’s mind was racing.“Does that mean… we’ll get to see them?!”She asked excitedly.“Of course,”Robert said smoothly.“At the very least, you’ll definitely meet Lewis Parker himself.”Then, puffing out his chest, he added boastfully,“In fact, he’ll personally congratulate us on our wedding.”Madeline nearly melted in excitement.“Oh, Robert! You’re amazing! I love you so much!”In that moment, she wa
Chapter 13
This explanation put both of Edith and Madeline at ease.It made perfect sense."It's a rent car!"Edith chuckled, shaking her head.“I knew it! There’s no way that guy suddenly got rich overnight!”“Exactly, Mom,” Madeline agreed, smirking.“Think about it—he made such a fuss over a worthless old necklace and a cheap ring. Does that sound like someone with money?”“What skills could he possibly have? Back when he was with me, he relied on me for everything.""You really think he’s capable of turning his life around just like that?”Edith took Madeline’s hand in hers, her tone turning serious.“Maddy, listen to me. You need to get rid of him as soon as possible.”“Look at you—young, beautiful, and talented. And you have Robert, such an outstanding man, by your side.”“You should marry Robert sooner. That way, Ethan will finally give up on his delusions of ever winning you back.”Madeline’s cheeks flushed with a mixture of shyness and satisfaction as she stole a glance at Robert.Rober
Chapter 12
Katherine raised an eyebrow, a playful grin tugging at her lips.“Eth?” she giggled. “That’s a strange name, but I kind of like it. It’s cute.”The conversation flowed naturally from there.They talked about everything: childhood memories, random hobbies, those small things that seem insignificant but speak volumes about who you are.Katherine was surprised by how much they had in common.The conversation felt so effortless, like a familiar melody.She wasn’t used to this kind of ease with someone.But just as she was getting comfortable, her phone rang, breaking the peaceful flow of their conversation.She glanced at the screen. It was her father.After a brief conversation, she turned back to Ethan, looking genuinely apologetic.“Eth, I’m really sorry, but my dad needs me for something urgent. I have to go.”Ethan nodded, though a twinge of disappointment flickered behind his eyes.He hated watching her leave, even if it was just for a little while.“No problem. It was nice talking
Chapter 11
The restaurant had the kind of ambiance that invited slow, intimate conversations.Dim lighting cast a soft glow over velvet seats, and the faint hum of jazz played in the background, setting a relaxed yet elegant tone.It was a little fancy, but not in a way that felt out of place.Katherine ordered a few signature dishes. Nothing too extravagant, but each bite packed a punch of flavor, simple yet unforgettable.Halfway through the meal, her curiosity finally got the better of her.“How did you convince Mr. William? He’s not exactly the type to change his mind easily.”She asked. Tilted her head.Ethan smirked.“Simple. I’m his boss. He listens to me.”Katherine blinked, then burst out laughing.“Oh, come on. You’re funny, but seriously-”She cut herself off, a playful glint in her eyes as she stuck her tongue out, almost as if a lightbulb had just gone off."I just realized I never even asked your name. Mr...?"Ethan smiled, but before he could answer, her phone buzzed on the table,
Chapter 10
Edith’s voice was so loud, someone peeked out from upstairs.A sleepy, annoyed voice cut in.“Mom, what’s going on?”It was Madeline.Still groggy from sleep, but the moment she saw Ethan, her eyes flew wide open.“Fuck, Ethan?! What are you doing here?”She stomped down the stairs, coming to stand beside her mother.Pointed at Ethan like she’d just caught him red-handed.“Maddy, thank God you’re here!”Edith clutched her chest, her voice trembling with fake innocence.“Ethan robbed me! He stole the beautiful necklace you gave me!”Madeline’s expression darkened. She let out a sharp breath through her nose.“Ethan, really? You just can’t let go, can you?”“We’re divorced, and yet here you are, still clinging to the past! You poor dog.”Ethan stuffed his hands in his pockets, tilting his head slightly.A cold smirk played at his lips as he silently watched their performance.“That necklace you stole from me, right? Madeline?”Madeline sneered.“Yeah, I took it. So what?”“That was the
