My eyes widened. “No–I mean–yes! I mean, I ordered it for

you.”

He smirked. “Uh–huh.”

I tried not to blush. “Seriously. I thought you might be hungry

too.”

“Is that so?” he murmured, amused.

I was saved from further embarrassment when the bell above

the door jingled.

I looked up and smiled–until the passenger side of Ava’s car

opened and Ethan stepped out. My smile dropped like a stone in

water.

“What the hell…” I breathed.

Ava pushed the door open, looking apologetic. Ethan strode in right behind her like he owned the ce.

He came straight toward me without a word and sat down beside me. Without asking, he picked up the bowl of meat pasta

and started eating.

Chapter i6 /i

“Didn’t know my wife started dining alone now,” he said

casually, his eyes cold.

I stiffened. “I’m not your-”

“You didn’t think to tell me?” he interrupted. “Or are you just

that cozy with him now?” He gestured at Alexander with his

fork.

“Don’t do this here,” I whispered, furious.

Alexander said nothing, watching Ethan with that same

unreadable expression.

Ethan turned his gaze to him. “You always just hanging around

other people’s wives? Or is that a new hobby?”

“Watch it,” Ava snapped before I could say a word. “Alexander

was just being decent.”

Ethan scoffed. “Decent? You mean like when he dragged her

away in the middle of the night? Or when he keeps showing up

every time I’m around? Yeah. Real decent.”‘

I tried to change the subject, but Ethan wasn’t done.

“Oh,” he said louder, “and maybe ask your bestie here why she

thinks Mr. Stoic is secretly in love with you.”

My stomach dropped.

Ava froze. “Ethan-”

He pulled out his phone and held it up. “Text messages. Cute

ones too: Olivia: I’m safe. Alexander found me.Ava: OMG. I

KNEW IT. He came himself?? See??? He totally has feelings for

you!!!”

My throat tightened.

Alexander didn’t flinch. “Whether I like Olivia or not,” he said

calmly, “is not your business.“”

Ethan clenched his jaw.

Alexander leaned forward. “But what is everyone’s business

now is the way you’ve been forcing yourself on a woman who

wants nothing to do with you. That is what’s disgusting.”

Ethan’s eyes shed amber for a second.

“Rx,” Alexander added, waving to the server. “Let’s get a fresh

order. Hot pasta. One each. Extra meat for Ava.”

The server nodded and rushed off.

Ava nced at me, face pale. “I swear I didn’t mean it like that… I

was just joking in texts-‘

“I know,” I said quickly, giving her a small nod.

Ethan crossed his arms and stared at his te like it had

personally offended him. “I lost my appetite”

“I didn’t,” Alexander said, picking up his fork and calmly starting

on the new bowl of pasta.

The table was quiet for a few awkward minutes.

I couldn’t eat. My hands were trembling under the table, and

my throat was itoo /itight.

Ethan sat rigid, fuming silently.

Alexander didn’t even nce up, finishing his food withoutment. When he was done, he wiped his mouth with a napkin, ced his fork down with a soft clink, and looked

around at us.

“Don’t waste food,” he said quietly. “Especially not when people

are starving in front of you.”

Ava blinked.

Then she immediately picked up her fork and began eating like

her life depended on it.

Olivia’s POV

The night air bit as Ethan and I stepped out onto the sidewalk,

the earlier noise of the restaurant dimming behind us.

Chapter of

“Listen,” I said, “the divorce is final. I want nothing more to do

with you!”

He exhaled sharply. “No way. I am not interested in the divorce

at all.”

“But I am,” I fired back. “You cheated. You lied. You humiliated me publicly. You forfeited the right to decide anything”

He took a step closer. “It’s not over. I’m not giving up on our marriage just because you’re scared.”

“Scared?” I spat. “No. I’m done. I refuse to stay with someone

who doesn’t respect me.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “Respect? You think you have any idea what I’ve done? You think I’m some monster?”

“You did the monster job all by yourself!” I shot back. “Did you think or care how I’d feel, Ethan?”

He stared at me for a long moment, jaw tight. Then he turned

abruptly.

Alexander, who had followed us outside, came forward. He put a hand firmly on Ethan’s arm. “That’s enough,” he said, calm yet heavy. “Time for you to leave.”

I watched their silent exchange with a knot tightening in my chest. Ava appeared at my side, steady and resolute.

Alexander looked back at me. “Ava will take you home. Ethan

wille with me.”