For a heartbeat, he responded. His hands gripped her waist, his mouth met hers with the intensity of all his emotions. But then—he hesitated.
He pulled back suddenly, breathing hard, eyes wide.
"You?" Ethan blurted, shocked, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
Then, before he could say more, the girl chuckled—a soft, mischievous sound that didn't match the tension between them.
"That's a thank you... for saving me," Ava said, her voice slurred slightly, heavy with alcohol.
Her arms remained looped around his.
Ethan stared at her, half in disbelief, half in awe as she smiled up at him. Then, without warning, she rose on her toes again and kissed him.
Across the street, under the glow of a flickering lamppost, someone watched.
The light caught the pair in a perfect frame—an intimate, stolen moment.
And just like that, a phone camera clicked. A picture was taken.
The next morning, Ava groaned and shifted in bed, her head throbbing.
Her hand automatically reached up to cradle her temple. When she turned to the side, her forehead bumped into something firm.
She winced in pain—then froze.
Slowly, cautiously, she opened her eyes… only to find herself resting against bare skin.
Pale, warm, and unmistakably male.
Her gaze followed the curve of the chest, stopping at a very real, very present nipple.
And then she recognized him.
Ethan.
She gasped and bolted upright, clutching the blanket to her chest in horror. Her sudden movement stirred Ethan, who groaned and blinked awake.
"What the— You? What are you doing here?" he asked, confused and clearly just as startled.
Ava's eyes widened as she glanced under the covers and realized they were both completely naked.
Ethan sat up quickly, groaning from a sudden headache, trying to piece together the fragments of last night.
The last thing he remembered was trying to talk to Grace.
Then… chaos. And now this?
"What am I doing here?" Ava's voice rose, sharp and jarring.
Ethan turned to her, his tone harsh. "I should be asking you that. What are you doing here? In the same room, and—"
He stopped. His eyes caught something on the sheet. A faint, red stain.
Shock widened his eyes. Had they… actually consummated the night?
Ava followed his gaze and gasped, her breath catching in her throat. Her heart pounded as she looked up to meet his stunned expression.
But the truth was, she couldn't remember a single thing about last night either. Embarrassment and confusion flushed her cheeks, and she could no longer meet his eyes.
Before Ethan could say another word, Ava grabbed her clothes and the blanket, wrapping herself quickly before rushing into the bathroom.
Ethan exhaled through a low growl, frustration boiling in his chest.
None of this made sense.
He dragged on his trousers just as his phone vibrated on the nightstand. Frowning, he picked it up.
The moment he saw the notification, his breath hitched.
Ava stepped out of the bathroom, now fully dressed. She was about to leave when—
"Wait."
She flinched at the sound of his voice, her body freezing mid-step. Slowly, she turned to face him.
Ethan's eyes were cold now, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he shoved the phone in her face.
Ava's heart sank.
A photo.
The one from last night. Lit by streetlights, her lips pressed against Ethan's, arms wrapped around him.
The moment that was never meant to be seen. Now viral.
"You planned this, didn't you?" Ethan's voice was icy. Accusatory.
"I—" Ava opened her mouth but no words came out.
"I knew it. You're just another gold digger. If it's money you want, name your price. You could've had anything you wanted without this stunt."
His words were like daggers, each one heavier than the last. Ava stood frozen, her lips parting—but nothing came out.
Wasn't this what she had come for all along? To get close to him? But this… this wasn't how she wanted it.
"I should've listened to Grace. Women like you are manipulators. Despicable," he spat.
Ava stared at him, tears threatening to spill, her jaw tight. She didn't speak.
She just nodded quietly, then turned and walked out the door.
Ethan stood there, stunned by her silence. For a moment, guilt flickered in his chest.
Was he too harsh? But how could someone be so calm after blowing up his entire life?
His phone buzzed again—another ping. This time, a breakup text from Grace.
His jaw clenched.
The photo was everywhere. Gossip sites, social media, headlines. His private life was now front-page news.
With a low growl, he made a call. The moment it connected, his voice was firm:
"Noah. I want every detail about who leaked that photo. And have that picture taken down. Now."
He hung up, boiling with fury.
A few hours later, Ethan was heading out of the hotel when a swarm of reporters rushed him.
"Sir, is it true you're getting married?"
"Who's the mystery woman in the photo?"
"What are your wedding plans?"
The paparazzi closed in with flashing cameras and microphones.
Ethan blinked in confusion—how the hell had they gotten here?
Thankfully, his security team stepped in, pushing the crowd back as he was ushered into the car.
"I want that hotel sanctioned, now!" Ethan roared once inside, slamming his fist against the door.
"I think someone's mad about his new fiancée being all over the news," Caleb teased from the driver's seat, a smirk on his face.
"Caleb, not now," Ethan snapped.
"Well, good luck explaining it to your family. They're waiting for you at the estate," Caleb said, not missing a beat.
"What?"
"You didn't think they'd let this go without a meeting, did you?" Noah added from the passenger seat.
Minutes later, the car pulled into the grand estate of the Torres family.
The living room was already filled with familiar faces. Ethan stepped inside with Noah and Caleb trailing behind.
The first person he noticed was his grandmother.
Rebecca, elegant even in age, leaned on her cane as she approached, a warm smile gracing her lips.
"It's so wonderful to see you again, Ethan," Rebecca beamed, her voice laced with warmth and delight as she reached out with frail but eager hands to gently cup her grandson's cheek. "You didn't mention you'd be returning to the country… and tell me, is the woman in the news the same one you once spoke so fondly about?"
Ethan's jaw tightened, his heart thudding.
This was far from over.