Seeing the message, I chuckled as I sent a response.
[Got it. Well done.]
I turned off my phone, erasing Luke from my life for good.
Ethan and I soon arrived at our new home–a villa nestled in the hills of Southmount.
We had just gone from mortal enemies to newlyweds, so the atmosphere between us was undeniably awkward.
I was about to suggest drafting an agreement to make cohabitation smoother and less intrusive when Ethan suddenly pulled me close and kissed me.
“Hmph. Anna, don’t think I wanted to marry you. This was purely out of necessity,” Ethan said haughtily.
1/3
+25 BONUS
Chapter 5
Then, after a pause, his voice softened.
“However, don’t think you can slack off. I have no plans for a second marriage, and you’d better not entertain the thought either.”
I was stunned, not even noticing the blush spreading across Ethan’s face.
Before I could respond, Ethan’s phone rang. He picked it up and glanced at me before putting it on speaker.
“Ethan, is that you? I need to talk to you. Is this a good time?”
Before Ethan could reply, I cut in, “It’s not a good time.”
I reached to hang up, but Ethan dodged me.
Luke’s near–hysterical voice came through the line. “Anna, what are you doing at another man’s house at this hour? Ethan’s, no less!”
I let out a cold laugh. “Your question is ridiculous. Today was my wedding day. If not at my husband’s home, where else would I be?”
Luke was incredulous. “You both only got married for the project, right? It’s a fake marriage, isn’t it?”
th
I replied with a faint smile. “Fake marriage? Who still plays that game? Are you a child?”
“Anna, you’d better get a divorce immediately!” he screamed.
Ethan took the phone from me and said icily, “Mr. Graham, stop harassing a married woman. Anna is my wife now, and you have no connection to her anymore. I suggest you wake up and move on.”
Luke’s voice turned into a crazed roar.
“Ethan! You’ve always wanted Anna! You took advantage of our misunderstanding to worm your way in! Do you think she married you for love? It’s all for the jewelry project! She only loves me!”
I snatched the phone back and hung up the call abruptly.
“Enough, Ethan. Don’t waste your breath. He’s insane.”
A faint blush spread across both our faces.
Ethan cleared his throat, feigning seriousness as he said, “Getting worked up over your ex? Pathetic.”
His arms were crossed, but his eyes held a trace of concern.
I barked, “Who was the one pining over me? Were you heartbroken?”
He lunged forward and covered my mouth, silencing me.
Chapter 5
Amidst the playful bickering, it felt as if we had returned to the way things used to be.
175 ROMUS