Chapter 30 

ANNA. 

I refuse to let myself really look at Mr. O’Connor, I wonder if it’s because of the circumstances under which we met that made me fail to notice how handsome he was. 

It’s the choking kind. The kind that steals your breath momentarily. 

And the smile he gives me is a full–on attack, a smile that no doubt had women tripping over 

themselves for him. 

It just so happens to irritate me. “What are you doing here?” 

His blue eyes drop low to my dress, taking me in slowly and I hug Finn tightly like he’s a shield against the prying, sensual look of this arrogant man. “I’d pay to see you in a dress every day.” He pauses and I see his eyes brighten a little. “Come work for me. I’ll pay you handsomely to walk about in dresses like those.” 

Something hot pours into my chest and my fingers start to shake with anger. “Watch your words. I’m a married woman, and stop speaking such nonsense in front of my son.” 

He grins, toying with the glass of wine in his grasp. speaking nonsense.” 

Well then, send him off so I can continue 

His words are a little slurred and only then do I realize something. “You’re drunk this early in the day?” 

Mr. O’Connor shrugs. “Inconsequential. I do not need to be who owes me quite a lot of money.” 

to notice a beautiful woman 

“You’re a distant relative of Ethan’s?” I ask, needing to change the topic. I’m nearly done gathering his money, and the last thing I need right now is to get insulted because of it. 

“Sadly,” he mutters and drinks deeply from his glass. He then exhales and I see shadows lurking in his gaze. The first hint of why he’s getting so drunk. 

He’s…sad? 

I don’t care that he looks like a lost puppy. Even if I do happen to like puppies very much. ” Enjoy the rest of the evening. Excuse me.” 

I turn to leave, but hot fingers band around my wrist, stopping me. 

Instinctively, I look up and I see Sean. He’s looking at me with a very dark expression. I yank 

my hand from Mr. O’Connor’s grip, seething. “Have you gone mad, sir?” 

He chortles at the honorific, straightening. “Perhaps. So, yes?” 

I pause, my heart racing. “Yes to what?” 

Chapter 30 

2/4 

“Working for me?” 

I sneer. “In your wildest dreams. I’ll repay what owe you, but because I have not doesn’t give you the right to lay a finger on me. Repeat it again and I will break your nose.‘ 

His eyes darken, and for some reason, I think my threat might have had a different effect on him than I hoped. It’s in his eyes. 

Keen interest. 

**** 

MAY. 

I hadn’t expected so many people. The doorbell kept ringing and more people kept coming in. So much so, I began to dread the sound. 

It’s hard to keep up with everything. Scratch that. I can’t keep up with them. I’m so mad, I can barely contain it. 

Why? You might ask. 

Seeing as I had only bargained for a handful of people, I had prepared for just that amount. When the guests had begun to arrive, I laid out the three–course meal. 

They had all looked at it like it was garbage. Harriet was the only one who even bothered with a bite, or bothered to say ‘Thank You‘. And shortly after, I heard a doorbell. 

Ethan had ordered food, loads of it. It’s become a buffet and I stand off to the side, watching a party in my own house like I’m a damn stranger. He could have spoken to me about it first. I 

know he’s trying to help but I’m so frustrated that I am near tears. 

“Miranda, is it?“retty, model–like blonde says, smiling down at me as she stretches a hand 

a 

forward. “I’m Georgia, Chase’s first aunt.” 

I take her hand, not bothering to correct the blunder with my name. It’s the sixth time someone has addressed me as anything but my name, and frankly, it gets tiring. “It is lovely meeting you. Thank you so much for coming.” 

She nods curtly. “Now, do tell me how you both met. Rachel says you’re a rather decent woman. Simple as well. Odd, that is. People of our class hardly dabble with *simple* people. 

You must forgive my inquisitive nature.” 

Our class? What in the world does that even mean? Dabble? I didn’t understand anything past the first sentence. “What does *our class* mean?” I ask unabashedly. 

Her lips part in response just as someone clinks a glass softly. My gaze drifts across the room to the wide table Ethan had ordered only a couple of hours ago. 

I really should have taken a hint then. 

Chapter 30 

3/4 

Everyone gathers around the table and I follow suit, taking a seat beside Ethan on the right of Harriet who pats my arm gently like she can sense my distress. Anna takes a seat on the other side with Sean, but she looks…disturbed as well about something. No. My eyes narrow. She looks angry, and her glare is directed at Ethan’s distant cousin who is as scorching hot as Ethan and has a smug smile playing on his lips as he looks at her. 

I have no idea what’s happening, and I can already tell that I don’t even want to know. 

Harriet addresses the whole table, and for the life of me, I can’t hear half the things she’s saying. I have become a turtle who has withdrawn completely into her shell and there is nothing I want more than to remain there. 

“What’s wrong?” Ethan asks me out of the blue and I turn my gaze to him. 

“Nothing.” 

His lips tighten. “You’re mad at me. Again.” 

I smile a little. He’s getting better and better at reading me. Lying to him is pointless. “A little, 

but I understand. We’ll talk about it after dinner. 

Ethan suddenly leans in and I feel his lips on my ear. My toes curl up in my shoes and I grip my dress tightly as my heart starts to hammer in my chest. “I’m sorry,” he whispers and I shiver at the feel of his hot breath against my skin. 

“Okay,” I manage, and he pulls away, a smirk playing on his cruel, beautiful mouth. 

Annoying man. 

The bowl of chicken is passed around and just as it reaches my hand, Ethan’s uncle speaks. How’s the rebranding coming up, Ethan? I hear you have done quite a number since you acquired the ranch.” 

My fingers go still on the bowl and I look up, first at Ethan whose eyes have gone wide and then, at his uncle. “Ranch?” 

His uncle’s brows furrow and I hear someone snickering silently. Rachel. It’s like a joke everyone knows, except me. 

I look at Ethan. “You own a ranch? Why didn’t you tell me?” 

“Oh, Ethan likes to live modestly,” Cole chirps in quickly. Too fast that it rouses my suspicion. 

“It’s a small land. It’s still under development,” Ethan says, unable to meet my gaze. 

It’s how I know he’s lying. I just can’t tell what he’s lying about, the ranch being small or under development. 

“I must admit,” Georgia starts, taking a small bite out of her food, “I was quite shocked to hear you bought this building, hiding in plain sight. Do you really not like the idea of being a 

Chapter Au 

close family, Ethan? It’s what your father would’ve wanted.” 

Bought this building? 

My heart thuds in my chest. He’d said the rent was covered by the company. He… lied to me? That can’t be right. Ethan’s not a liar. Georgia’s way in over her head. 

My gaze shifts from Georgia’s face to Ethan and my heart plummets at the look in his eyes. 

Georgia’s not lying. He won’t even look me in the eye. 

I swallow, and then manage a small smile as I rise from the table. “Excuse me.”