Ethan's POV
I was already in the room when she stepped in.
She paused at the door when our eyes met. For a second, she faltered. Good.
"Don't even think about touching my things, you snake," I snapped, rising from the armchair. My voice echoed against the cold walls, venom lacing every syllable.
Her spine straightened like steel.
"First, you made Damian dance to your tune, pretending to be the innocent little girl next door," I sneered, stalking closer. "Then, everything just happened to fall into place, huh? What a sharp mind. You drugged me, staged a video, and posted it before anyone could catch on. Genius."
Instead, she took a step forward, her tone like a blade.
"Look, Mr. Hart," she said with icy calm. "I'm not interested in your fame. I'm not clinging to your name like the tail of some rich dog."
I flinched.
She kept going, her voice rising.
"I worked for everything I had—every damn thing. A scholarship I earned. A future I built with my own hands. I lost it all the night you woke up next to me and decided I was the villain in your story
In two long strides, I was in front of her. I grabbed her wrist—tight. Too tight.
She didn't cry out. She didn't flinch.
That made it worse.
"You think you're brave?" I hissed, dragging her close until there was barely an inch between us. "You think because you've got a sharp tongue and crocodile tears, you can twist the truth and turn my life into a goddamn circus?"
Her eyes met mine, unwavering.
"You've already ruined everything, Ember," I snarled. "My reputation. My engagement. My peace."
I shoved her backward.
That infuriated me more than anything.
"You should be begging," I barked, slamming my palm against the wall beside her head. "Begging to be forgiven. But you're too proud, aren't you? Too damn arrogant to admit what you did."
"I didn't do anything, Ethan," she whispered. "And one day, you'll choke on your own guilt."
My hand itched to break something.
Instead, I turned, breathing hard, fury simmering beneath my skin.
"Get out," I growled, voice low and lethal. "Before I forget how much Damian cares about you."
"I'm not going anywhere," she said, voice cold but composed. "I have to stay with you for a year… for Damian's sake."
I laughed—dark, bitter, joyless.
"For Damian's sake?" I echoed, stepping forward again, fury rising like a tide. "So you get to play the role of the victim and the martyr now? How convenient."
"I'm not here for you," she said. "I never was. But Damian begged me not to run… and I owe him more than I owe myself right now."
I clenched my fists, teeth grinding.
The audacity. The calmness in her tone as if she hadn't shattered my life with that goddamn video.
"You want to stay here?" I hissed, stepping in until I could see every fleck of gold in her stubborn eyes. "Fine. Stay. But don't expect peace. Don't expect respect. This house is a cage now, Ember. And I'm the warden."
She didn't blink.
"Cage or not… I've been through worse."
My jaw locked.
I wanted to shake her. Break her composure. See her cry like she deserved to for destroying my life.
But she just turned away, walked to the couch, and sat like it was nothing.
Like I was nothing.