Shocking Statement

**Mariana**

When I left home determined to go to Ethan's company and give that arrogant jerk a piece of my mind, I couldn't have imagined that once again I would catch him in terrible company. Once again, I was witnessing with my own eyes just how much of a despicable person he truly is.

Still, the look of genuine horror on Ethan's face might be considered hilarious by some, but not by me. I was consumed by anger, faced with his complete lack of scruples.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Mariana," he said, circling the desk and walking towards me. "Tell me, what happened?"

Ethan seemed genuinely confused, but I wouldn't fall for that act or his ridiculous attempt to play innocent in this situation.

"Don't play dumb, Ethan!" I shouted uncontrollably. "And don't you dare try to make me look like one. You leaked the whole auction story to the press, you damn bastard!"

Ethan appeared genuinely surprised by the information, but before I could say everything I intended to, Bruna walked past us, heading towards the door.

"The conversation is quite enjoyable, but I have to go," she said cynically.

I glared at the venomous snake, feeling disgusted by her mere presence in that room. However, her departure was completely irrelevant to me since the whole story was already public knowledge.

Before Bruna could open the door, Ethan had already grabbed her firmly, preventing her from taking another step.

"You're not going anywhere, Bruna," he said, anger apparent, leading her back to the chair. "Instead, you're going to sit right here until I say otherwise."

Bruna tried to free herself from Ethan's grasp as he persistently guided her back to the chair she was sitting in when I entered.

"You have no right to tell me what I should or shouldn't do, Ethan Constantino!" Bruna protested.

Despite her vehement protest, she sat down, glaring at him with anger and, I would say, a hint of fear as well. Ethan didn't seem the least bit concerned about his ex's words—ugh! Just the thought of it made me nauseous—as if he doubted she would dare defy him. Standing next to her, he turned his attention back to me.

I didn't understand anything that was going on, but something told me that this strange dialogue was related to my arrival.

"You might even leave this room, Bruna," Ethan said in a threatening tone, "but don't think you'll escape this situation."

I watched the scene, feeling even more incredulous, still standing in the center of the room, staring at it with disgust, unable to believe that while Ethan was messing with Virginia's and my lives, his biggest concern was to make sure that the snake Bruna didn't leave the room.

While I had come to that office with the sole purpose of finally saying everything that was stuck in my throat, and on the verge of losing my composure, such was my desire to pounce on the necks of those two evil creatures.

"Did you hear me, Ethan!?" I shouted, genuinely indignant. "You despicable, dishonest, cowardly jerk! You couldn't have done what you did."

Ethan turned his attention back to me, looking confused, and I would say there was a tinge of hurt in his expression, but I didn't let myself be fooled.

"I didn't do anything you're accusing me of, Mariana," he denied my accusations. "I didn't leak anything to the press. Please, believe me."

The way Ethan made that plea seemed so sincere that my heart tightened, and against all rationality, I almost believed in the sincerity of his words.

Almost.

In the last moment, just as I was about to fall for his act, reason prevailed, and I remembered all the times Ethan had shown himself to be someone not to be trusted under any circumstances.

"I don't believe you," I responded, with all the emphasis I could muster. "You've lied before, and you're lying again, Ethan."

It was visible how Ethan's shoulders seemed to slump as if he had received a harsh blow.

"I've never lied to you, Mariana," he denied, with the same false tone of sincerity, and we locked eyes, paying close attention to each other.

However, Bruna interrupted the moment by standing up once again and walking towards the door.

"I think it's better to leave the lovebirds alone," she said, already gripping the doorknob.

Before she could turn the lock, Ethan intervened again, blocking her way.

"I've made it clear that you're not going anywhere, Bruna."

He grabbed her wrist, roughly forcing her back into the chair.

The situation was becoming ridiculous, and I felt regret surrounding me for acting impulsively and coming there, especially when it was clear that Ethan would deny to the end that he was responsible for leaking the auction story to the media.

Remembering that ignited a boiling rage in me as if I had just seen the news about the auction where Mariana and I sold our virginity on gossip websites.

The criticism was harsh and varied, and everyone wanted to give their opinion on something that wasn't anyone's business except mine and Virginia's.

But coming here had been in vain, and it was better to leave right away.

"I have a better idea," I said, feeling mentally exhausted. "I'm leaving. It was a complete waste of time coming here."

I didn't wait for Ethan to respond, but I couldn't resist giving him one last look as I walked towards the door, gripping the handle, feeling hurt by all of his reckless actions.

The most fitting word to describe everything that was going through my mind and heart in that moment was simply disillusionment.

"Wait, Mariana!" Ethan shouted, just as I opened the door to leave the room. "Please, listen to me."

I wavered for a second or two, but the fear of being deceived once again was stronger, and I turned my back to him, determined to proceed with my decision and leave that place as quickly as possible.

Surprisingly, I noticed that besides Ethan's secretary, there was another person in the office's waiting area, and I was quite astonished to see that it was Arthur. But that was beside the point.

"I love you, Mariana!" Ethan passionately declared. "I would never have the courage to do this to you, my love."

I hesitated for a moment, torn between my emotions and my need for self-preservation. But deep down, I knew I couldn't trust Ethan's words anymore.