Chapter 83: Unmistakable Feelings

Isabella

Ethan gripped my wrist firmly, pulling me toward him. We were so close I could feel each other's breath, and my heart was racing uncontrollably. His gaze was so intense it made me instinctively nervous.

"I didn't send it," I softly explained, one hand instinctively pressed against his chest, trying to maintain some distance. "It was Olivia who burst into my room and grabbed my phone to text you."

His expression changed. The Ethan who always looked at me with cold eyes was now showing a hint of... disappointment?

"So the message wasn't from you?" His voice was deep, with a gentleness I'd never heard before.

I shook my head, truly confused. "She deleted it, I didn't see it. What did it say?"

His jaw tightened and his eyes darkened. "How can you be so weak that you let her push you around like this?"

His words stung. I wasn't weak—I was practical. When you have no money or connections, you learn which battles are worth fighting. But how could someone like Ethan understand that?

"What did the message say?" I asked again, truly wanting to know what had brought him suddenly to my room.

He didn't answer, releasing my wrist and walking toward the balcony. I gently rubbed where he had held me, his warmth still lingering there.

He took out his phone and made a call, standing with his back to me. "Shut it all down," he commanded simply, his voice returning to its usual coldness.

Confused, I followed him to the balcony, then froze in shock. A group of security guards stormed Olivia's garden party, flipping tables, spilling champagne and food everywhere. Guests scattered in panic, expensive dresses leaving chaotic footprints across the lawn.

Wasn't he always protective of Olivia? I couldn't believe he would mercilessly ruin her party over a text message, humiliating her in front of everyone.

Ethan turned to look at me, his eyes showing a rare softness. "Stay in your room, don't come out."

"Hmm?" I looked at him, somewhat confused.

He casually put his hands in his suit pockets and walked toward me step by step, finally stopping at a breath's distance, looking down at me.

I unconsciously stepped back, my breathing quickening. His tall figure gave off an intangible pressure that made me instinctively want to escape.

"From now on, if anyone bullies you, tell me," his voice was unexpectedly gentle, with a magnetic quality. "I'll resolve it for you."

I was stunned, completely unprepared for such words from him.

After a moment of silence, he added: "I'll protect you like a brother would."

I stared at him blankly, my mind empty. Protect me like a brother? Was this really the cold and domineering Ethan I knew?

Seeing my dumbfounded expression, the corner of his lips turned up slightly as he reached out to ruffle the top of my head. I was too slow to react and let his fingers run through my hair.

By the time I came to my senses, he had already turned and left, gently closing the door behind him.

I remained standing there, unable to calm down for a long time.

Ethan

After closing Isabella's door, I leaned against the wall, my heart still racing abnormally. What was I doing? When I received that text, I dropped everything and rushed here like some foolish teenager.

Ethan, I like you. I have so much I want to tell you. Could you come to the garden party at the mansion? I'm waiting for you here.

I should have known better. Isabella wouldn't send a message like that, especially not to me. Not after how I'd treated her.

But I wanted to believe it. I wanted it to be true so badly that I ignored all the warning signs. I had my driver run several red lights to get here. Ridiculous.

My phone kept vibrating with messages about the party I'd destroyed, but I didn't respond to any of them. Olivia had crossed a line. She would have to face the consequences.

I was still frustrated with my own stupidity as I went downstairs. Just as I reached the hall, the front door was pushed open.

"Ethan! You've gone too far!" Olivia stormed in, her face red with anger, makeup smudged, with Luna following behind her.

Luna's expression changed as soon as she saw me, showing that familiar adoring look that I neither had time nor interest for.

I looked at my sister expressionlessly. I had just arrived at the party looking for Isabella and discovered she wasn't there at all, while those socialites were approaching me trying to make conversation. I immediately understood what had happened.

"You've ruined everything!" Olivia shrieked. "All my friends were there! Do you know how embarrassing this is for us now?"

I didn't care. "You stopped being my sister the moment you tried to poison me."

Olivia's expression faltered. "That was Jasper's wife's idea," her voice changed to that whiny tone I knew too well. "I never truly meant to harm you."

She'd been using this excuse for years. I was sick of it.

"If you dare bully Isabella again," I said coldly, "I won't hesitate to end your life."

Olivia's eyes widened, first with genuine hurt, then with anger. "She's an outsider! I'm your sister!"

"What little blood relation remains is the only thing keeping you alive," I said without wavering. "Remember: don't touch her."

I noticed Luna standing to the side, her expression pained. Her infatuation with me had always been obvious, but I had neither the time nor interest to deal with it.

"I wasn't wrong," Olivia suddenly changed her tone, and despite her disheveled appearance, spoke with a triumphant voice. "You've had feelings for her for a long time. You have fallen for her after all."

I remained silent. What could I say? Deny it? We both knew the truth.

"You said you would never fall for her," Olivia continued, pressing on this weakness. "You promised."

I glanced up at Isabella's room, relieved she hadn't appeared. She'd better not hear this conversation.

"I heard Joshua is in the hospital," Olivia suddenly said. "Traumatized, developed an eating disorder." She narrowed her eyes. "That wouldn't happen to be your revenge for little Isabella, would it?"

As I walked past her, the corner of my mouth turned up slightly. "If you don't want to end up like Joshua, stay away from Isabella."

"Ethan!" Olivia's voice trembled with emotion. "If you can't kill me, then prepare to watch me destroy Isabella!"