Chapter 41

Elizabeth's POV

"E-Ethan, you're back?" Anna stutters.

"Are you insane? Have you forgotten you're in our home," Ethan glances at me as he speaks, "and not yours? You dare to raise your hand at her-my fiancée?! Where did you get the audacity from?! What are you doing in her workspace?!"

Anna winces in pain as Ethan's grip grows tighter. Tears form in her eyes, and I can't help but feel sorry for her.

"You're hurting me, Ethan," she whispers in pain, struggling to break free.

"Know your place, Anna. This is the last time I'll be nice," Ethan says firmly, releasing her.

"Ethan..." Anna sobs.

"You hurt me because of this..." She throws me a hateful glare that sends a chill down my spine before stomping out of the workshop.

After she's gone, Ethan's facial expression softens as he glances at me. "Are you okay? You aren't hurt anywhere, are you?"

I shake my head, studying his face as if searching for something amidst his protective demeanor. This man, his constant guard over me... he's stirring up feelings I'd rather not...

"And I heard everything you said; 'Ethan and I are engaged…'Bravo, my love!" His words shatter my train of thought, and I bite down on my bottom lip in irritation.

He heard. Damn it.

I can't believe I was just entertaining thoughts about this pig... Forget it.

"I retract my statement," I sneer, picking up my ruined gown.

"I apologize, Spitfire. Just bear with me a little longer, okay? I'll get rid of her real soon." Ethan's fingers gently stroke my hair as he stares at me, stirring a warmth in my heart.

"By the way, why are you back early?" I ask, attempting to divert my attention from my conflicting emotions.

"Darling, every time I come home early, it's because of you. Because I miss you." Ethan plants a kiss on the corner of my mouth, causing my heart to skip a beat.

"What-why-stop it!" My cheeks flush, and I stand up abruptly, marching out of the workshop. "What's wrong with youuu?!"

We're not a real couple, so why does he...

"Wait for me, my love," his voice calls out from behind me, a low chuckle trailing after.

Scumbag.

***

Ethan's POV

One might expect Anna to have left after what transpired, but it's been a week since then, and she's still here-making life a living hell for both me and Spitfire, especially Spitfire.

All she seems to do is irritate and frustrate the poor girl.

I still haven't figured out a way to get rid of Anna. Frankly, it seems impossible. There's nothing I can do about her. We'll just have to endure until her parents return to the country. Until then...

"Madam, that man is here again. He keeps insisting he won't leave until he sees you," Jasper, one of the guards stationed at the main entrance of the mansion, bobs and explains.

I glance over at Spitfire and see her expression fall.

We're in her studio; she's working, and I'm simply here, keeping her company as always.

Who does that he-goat think he is, showing up here every day and ruining my baby's mood?

I glance over at Spitfire and notice her expression darken.

Over the past several days, Spitfire's ex has been relentlessly trying to see her, bombarding her with calls from various numbers. But Spitfire never agrees to meet him.

This can't go on.

"I'll go," I announce, rising from my seat. But Spitfire stands up before I can, offering me a small smile.

"I'll go meet him. He wants to see me. If I don't go, he'll keep bothering us," she says dryly.

It's infuriating how much that jerk affects her mood. I despise that he still holds power over her. I want to break every bone in his body and...

"Alright. If you need me, I'll be right here," I say, smiling, as I watch her leave the workshop with Jasper.

However, about a minute later, I rise from my seat and follow behind them, keeping a significant distance. There's no way I'm leaving Spitfire alone with that fool, even for a moment.

I observe from afar as Spitfire approaches the iron gates. Instead of going out to meet her ex, she stands her ground and stares at him through the bars.

Good girl.

"Baby," He-goat calls out anxiously, his eyes scanning her every move.

Try anything funny, and I'll gouge out your eyes, idiot.

"What do you want, Derek? Why are you bothering me? What do you want from me?!" Spitfire snaps at him defiantly, but I can sense the pain underlying her words.

"I want you, Liz. I want you. I haven't been the same since that night... Please, baby. I love you. I love you so much-that night was a mistake, she pushed herself on me," he pleads, his words dripping with insincerity.

Pathetic liar.

Spitfire snickers, "Pushed herself on you... in your bedroom. It didn't look like that when I walked in on you. To think you could cheat on me, Derek..."

"I'm sorry, baby. Things can go back to the way they used to be. Please, my love. Everyone deserves a second chance," Derek pleads desperately.

"Well, not you! Not a cheating boyfriend! You. Cheated. See, I don't have time for this. I'm here to tell you to stop coming here and stop disturbing me with incessant calls, or I'll have you arrested for stalking and trespassing. I don't want to be with you anymore," Spitfire declares, turning away from him and ignoring his pleas.

As soon as she spots me, Spitfire freezes in her tracks. I smile at her, and she smiles back, fighting back the tears threatening to escape her eyes.

Oh, how I wish I could close the distance between us and take her in my arms.

"Is it because of him?" Suddenly, He-goat's voice cuts through the air.

"What?" Spitfire frowns and turns back around to face him.

"Are you leaving me because of him?" He glares in my direction. "You're cheating on me with him, right? You cheap whore! That's why you never let me have sex with you, because you've been spreading your legs wide open for another man! You whore!" He yells.