Chapter 37
Elizabeth's POV
"Fortunately, I arrived home early and found you, immediately taking you to the hospital. The doctor suggested that your fainting spell was likely due to overwhelming stress. "What's been weighing on you, Spitfire?" Ethan pauses. "Would you like to get away for a while? Maybe a vacation with me? With your best friend?"
Though I struggle to accept Ethan's words, deep down, I know they're not far from the truth. The evidence is written on my body-aches, and a small scar on my arm, a reminder of the needle from the hospital…
It takes me a while to find my voice.
"How is it possible that I was completely unaware of all this? I was unconscious the entire time..."
Ethan simply nods, a silent acknowledgment.
It's astonishing how swiftly life can spiral out of control...
Stress... Derek. Truth be told, I haven't fully recovered from what he put me through.
It's undoubtedly him.
"No, I don't need a vacation. Not at the moment."
I have to move past Derek. He's not worth my time, my energy, my sanity, and above all, he's not worth my life.
He's not worth any of it. That worthless piece of shit!
"Hmm," Ethan smiles. "Good then."
He presses a tender kiss to my cheek before rising from the bed. "I'll have Alexa bring your food. You must be starving."
Starving doesn't begin to cover it.
I offer a small nod as I watch him leave the room.
Left to my own thoughts, I find myself dwelling on everything once more, unable to shake it off.
Despite my protests that I'm fine and he should go to work, Ethan remains by my side for the rest of the day.
Come to think of it, he does have a sweet side.
***
General POV
Moana clenches her teeth tightly as she accepts the tray of food from Tess and passes it over to Alexa.
Right on cue, Ethan strides into the kitchen, swiftly taking the tray from Alexa's hands.
"Thank you, Alexa," Ethan acknowledges before disappearing as quickly as he appeared.
Since Elizabeth collapsed from stress, Ethan's protective instincts have gone into overdrive. He's mostly working from home now, venturing to the office only for essential matters that can't be managed remotely.
Every spare moment is spent in Elizabeth's company-whether in her bedroom, her workshop, or out and about. They're practically inseparable.
If only they knew how their constant togetherness grated on Moana's nerves more with each passing second.
Moana would have had her way that day if Ethan hadn't shown up unexpectedly and saved Elizabeth.
Fortunately, everyone believes Elizabeth's collapse was solely due to stress.
"The Master's become so protective of Ma'am now-aww, it's so sweet," Alexa gushes, lost in her own dreamy thoughts.
If only she could find someone to love her as deeply as Ethan loves Elizabeth...
"Don't you have work to do?" Moana's voice slices through the air, her expression stern.
Startled, Alexa straightens up, clearing her throat awkwardly. "I'm sorry," she stammers, bobbing her head in apology.
Moana hands her a sheet of paper. "Here's a list of groceries we'll need. Have one of the drivers take you to the market. I'm not feeling well, so I can't go. Don't take too long."
With a nod, Alexa accepts the paper and tucks it away.
As she steps outside, she scans the area for a chauffeur. "Hey-"
"Let me take you." A deep voice interrupts from behind, causing her to swallow the rest of her words.
Arthur strides purposefully to Alexa's side, casting a towering shadow over her.
Having brought some office documents to his boss for signing, he's on his way out when he overhears Moana's instruction to Alexa.
"Sorry?" Alexa blinks, her confusion evident.
"I'll take you to the market. Get in." With firm resolve, Arthur heads towards the driver's side of the car parked in the driveway.
Alexa nods dumbly, quickly settling into the passenger seat. "Thank you," she mumbles as the vehicle pulls away from the mansion.
Meanwhile, Moana exits the kitchen and makes her way to the maids' quarters before heading up to her bedroom.
Slamming the door shut behind her, she collapses onto the bed, lost in thought.
Her plan has failed, and Ethan and Elizabeth seem to be growing closer. What's she to do now?
As it appears, Ethan's affection for Elizabeth is undeniable...
Now, Moana finds herself with only one option. When one cannot defeat an enemy alone, a mutual enemy of that enemy becomes a friend.
A gleam dances in Moana's eyes as she formulates a plan. Swiftly, she picks up her phone and dials a number.
"Hello. Aren't you going to fight for your man? Will you stand by and let a stranger steal him away? Time is of the essence," Moana declares before abruptly ending the call.
After the conversation, a smirk plays at the corners of her lips. If she can't eliminate Elizabeth herself, she'll enlist Anna Campbell to handle the dirty work.
Moana is well aware that Ethan holds no interest in Anna, so there's no need to fret about her involvement.
Now, she can sit back, relax, and enjoy the spectacle unfold.
***
Elizabeth's POV
Night has fallen, but Ethan Moore shows no signs of letting up his teasing.
"Say AHHH," Ethan playfully taunts, holding a spoonful of food in front of me.
"Dammit! Just give me the spoon and let me feed myself. Seriously!" I growl, snatching the spoon from his hand with more force than necessary.
Ethan chuckles, his gaze fixed on me as I devour my meal with gusto.
"Seriously, you eat like a hungry cat every time. You've got quite the appetite," Ethan remarks, the amusement evident in his voice, causing my cheeks to flush.
He's not wrong. I can't help but marvel at how I'm not the size of a buffalo considering the amount of food I consume every day.
Well, thanks to him, I get to exercise everyday. It should be what's keeping me in shape.
"You've got plenty of money, why complain?" Ethan retorts.
"I'm not complaining. Eat as much as you want, sweetheart. I work for you."
His words send a flush creeping up my neck.
He certainly knows how to charm with his words... Every time he speaks like that, my heart races, and my thighs can't help but clench in response.