Ethans lips trembled .
He looked away , towards the window .
Yes .
When ? I pressed , but he clamped his mouth shut .
I lost interest , focusing on my steak .
He watched me my lips , my throat , the way the wine slid down .
I glared .
He flinched , biting his lip hard enough to draw blood .
I sighed .
Just look , okay ? No need to be sneaky .
Were getting married , Mr.
Hayes .
At least be upfront about it .
Hed taken all those photos , hired people to watch me , even bribed our housekeeper … If he hadnt died so tragically last time , I would have filed a restraining order .
But he was sick .
I needed to be patient .
I reached for his hand , ignoring his stiffening , and gently wiped the blood with my napkin .
Such nice hands .
Dont hurt them , okay ? He didnt answer , just stared at me .
Finally , he < swallowed .
You could … not .
Run away again ? Or show up , yell at you , and swear Id never marry you ? I met his gaze .
I could do that .
But Ethan , what would you do ? The answer was obvious .
He would die .
I never understood how someone so powerful could be so fragile .
But I couldnt bear the thought of it happening again .
Ethan was brilliant .
Sharp , ambitious , but with a mysterious past no one could uncover .
Hed ridden the tech wave to dizzying heights , leaving old money families in the dust .
And yet , hed thrown it all away for a woman .
Last time , he became a laughingstock , the poster boy for lovesick fools .
I wouldnt let that happen again .
On the way home , I watched his impassive face .
I decided to talk to his assistant .
I had no idea how to deal with this man .
Or his illness .
Was there even a cure ? く Ethans Rolls Royce stopped outside my house .
Liam was there , holding a box of pastries .
Ethans eyes narrowed .
Want me to get out and say hello ? I turned to him .
Liams a good friend .
Its fine .
Ethan leaned in to unbuckle my seatbelt .
Go on in .
Even though Id said it was fine , my chest tightened with a strange bitterness .
I grabbed his wrist .
Were just friends .
Dont overthink it .
Im not .
Really ? I saw his knuckles whiten on the steering wheel .

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I touched his hand .
Talk to me , okay ? Dont keep things bottled up .
Its … unsettling .
Id used his own words .
He looked away , his Adams apple bobbing .
I dont … like him very much .
Then dont spend time with him .
I patted his head , trying to be reassuring .
Hes just a friend .
You dont have to like him .
And well be married soon , I continued .
A much closer relationship .
If you mind me being friends with < him … Ill distance myself .
Ethan looked surprised .
Youd do that for me ? Of course .
I smiled .
Were going to be husband and wife ! He stared at me , dumbfounded .
I pressed my advantage , leaning closer .
See ? Talking helps .
If youre unhappy about something , tell me .
Please .
Dont shut down and hurt yourself while Im in the dark .
Its … inefficient .
I realized Ethan didnt know how to handle intimacy .
He was applying business tactics to relationships , forcing a proposal , then becoming paralyzed with indecision when I actually engaged with him .
He was clueless .
Its okay , I thought .
I can teach him .
Liam watched me get out of Ethans car , his eyes narrowed .
When the car pulled away , he walked over .
Youre really going through with this ? Hes handsome , wealthy , good L reputation .
Why not ? But … He stopped , a mix of anger , frustration , and something else swirling in his eyes .
Are you sure you even like him ? How many marriages in our circle are based on love ? I shrugged .
Hes suitable .
Liams eyes widened .
Hell never be what we … Liam ! I cut him off , my voice cold .
Im getting married .
Some things are better left unsaid .
I walked away .
Even now , I didnt understand Liams feelings for me .
He could be incredibly thoughtful , flying across Europe to find a specific necklace for me .
Then hed forget my birthday .
Last time , Id suggested we get married .
Hed refused .
He wanted to play the field for a few more years .
Then he met a sweet , innocent girl while we were building snowmen in St.
Petersburg and married her three months later .
His wife hated me .
I kept my distance .
Until the end .
I wondered if Liam had felt L anything when he heard I was gone .
After all , I was the one who sat with him on the roof , counting stars , the night his dad and stepmom slapped him for something his little brother did .
The next day , Ethan was in another meeting .
I watched him through the glass , his brow furrowed , a hard edge to his usually impeccable suit .
I waited in his office , chatting with his assistant , who was being incredibly tight lipped about Ethans issues .
I was losing my patience .
Dont you think telling me would be best for him ? Mr.
Hayes doesnt want you to know .
He said .
He wants to appear perfect .
He added pointedly , He wants you to rely on him .
Rely on him for what ? Ethan walked in , loosening his tie .
He looked tired .
What were you discussing ? Whether or not Id had < plastic surgery .
I grinned at him .
Your assistant says I havent .
Such a shame .
I could never hope to match Mr.
Hayes bone structure .
He froze .
The assistant had slipped out , closing the door .
The silence was thick .
I heard the rustle of his suit .
You like … how I look ? His voice was husky .
Is that so surprising ? I raised an eyebrow .
Are you unaware of your own attractiveness , Mr.
Hayes ? His ears turned pink .
He looked away .
Speaking of which , I said , walking towards him , calling you Mr.
Hayes feels a little formal , dont you think ? I touched his hair .
He wasnt using hair gel anymore , and it