Chapter 40

Ethan's POV

Grudgingly, I climb out of bed and make my way to the bathroom for my regular morning routine-pee, brush, and shower.

After dressing for work, I head downstairs.

Spitfire won't stop bugging me about not going to work these days. She knows I started working from home because of her and she feels guilty.

So, I'm back to going to work daily.

Before leaving the house, I check up on Spitfire. I knock on her door, but she doesn't respond. As much as I want to just open the door and... well, I stop myself.

She needs her space. She's probably regretting what happened last night... She must be consumed with embarrassment right now.

With an inaudible sigh, I turn away from her door and head downstairs.

Moana hands me a cup of coffee as usual, and I stride outside, sipping it thoughtfully. However, as I reach the door, realization hits me, and I turn back around immediately.

"Has she left?" I demand as I stride back towards Moana.

Moana shakes her head in response.

Damn it!

"Where is she?"

She nods towards the dining room.

You've got to be kidding me.

With swift strides, I enter the dining room.

There, at the head of the table, is Anna, casually sipping juice and munching on toast.

Spitfire doesn't drink sugary drinks in the morning. She only drinks water. Where's Anna from?

"Oh, hi, baby. Did you sleep well?" Anna greets me, flashing her irritatingly perfect teeth.

"Why are you still here? I told you to leave first thing in the morning. Was I not clear?" I growl, my patience wearing thin.

Her lips twitch. "I have nowhere to go, Ethan."

Is she underestimating me?

"Don't you-" I start to say, but my phone's ringtone cuts me off, making me swallow the rest of my words.

I retrieve the phone from my pocket, and upon seeing the caller ID, I feel a terrible headache coming on.

As I swipe to answer, I cast a glance at Anna. She wears a smug look on her face.

Bitch. Of course she has something to do with my dad calling me so early in the morning. He never calls me at all.

"Dad," I answer, bracing myself for whatever he has to say.

"Anna has nowhere else to stay. Her parents are out of the country on a trip. The poor girl is bored and scared being home alone. Let her stay with you until her parents get back. And Ethan, be nice. Don't try anything funny," Dad says without preamble.

After delivering his message, he hangs up before I can protest.

I lower my phone slowly, glaring at Anna, who is still wearing her stupid grin.

Nice. Let's see how long she'll keep that on.

I don't waste any time with her. Instead, I turn on my heel and exit the dining room without another word. It's of no use…

"Have a good day!" I hear Anna call out behind me.

"Stupid shit," I mutter under my breath, handing my coffee back to Moana before marching out of the house.

People know not to mess with me. And I know not to mess with my father. His words are final.

I feel like strangling someone right now.

***

Elizabeth's POV

It's been two days since Anna Campbell started living here. From 'it's raining', to staying permanently.

When Ethan got back from work two days ago, he explained to me that Anna would be staying for a while as she has his father's support. However, he also said he'd find a way to get rid of her soon enough.

So, I've been sleeping in his room since then. Every night. And we've been romancing aggressively. Every night. We've been doing everything but actually having sex.

As much as I don't want to admit it, it's been… Exhilarating. I look forward to every night as we're always doing something different yet intense and pleasurable.

Anna has been nothing but a pain in my ass. No matter how much I try to keep my distance and be as invisible as possible, she always finds a way to intrude and torment me.

Just as she's doing right now.

"How much do you need?" She asks, interrupting my thoughts.

She won't ever stop asking me that question, will she?

I remain silent, focusing on the floral evening gown I'm crafting.

Yeah, she's in my workshop.

My phone's ringing incessantly, but I ignore it too. That son of a bitch won't stop calling me ever since I caught him cheating on me.

"I know you're with Ethan for money. You think I don't know he got you all of this equipment and set up this studio for you? You gold digger!" Anna accuses.

Here we go again.

My silence seems to irk her even more as she strides over, grabs the dress I'm working on, and tears it apart in the blink of an eye.

"What the-?!"

"I'll destroy every single thing in here without blinking an eye. You made the wrong choice by coming for what's mine. If you know what's good for you, run, baby. As fast as you can."

God damn it!

I flip over my ringing phone in annoyance.

I'm seething inside at what she's just done, but I maintain a straight face and glance up at her coldly.

"You're wrong, Anna. You're the one who's coveting something that's mine," I glare at her.

"Perhaps you're blind to see," I raise my hand and flash my engagement ring in her face, "Ethan and I are engaged-and there's nothing you can do about it, darling. Why don't you go get a life!"

"What?!" I watch as she clenches her fists by her sides, her whole body visibly seething with anger.

The next moment, she raises her hand in the air, intending to strike my face. Instinctively, I shut my eyes, bracing for the blow. But it never comes.

Instead, Ethan's voice fills the room: "and what do you think you're trying to do?"

My eyes snap open, and I'm startled by the scene before me. Ethan is holding Anna's hand in the air, his grip firm and tight. An icy expression is etched on his face.

He's back from work early...