Chapter 5
Ethan froze.
He hadn’t ordered anything.[]
But the cardboard box in the courier’s hands oozed a faint, metallic stench, the kind that clung to the back of your throat.
Panic coiled in Ethan’s gut like a live wire, his hands betraying him as he fumbled with the flaps.
The moment the box cracked open, a sharp intake of breath ripped through the air–six voices, unison, horrified, as if the room itself had sucked the oxygen away.
Lila’s scream split the air first–a raw, animal sound.[]
Ethan’s knees buckled. [
The box fell, its contents spilling onto the floor: a tiny, misshapen form, still wrapped in bloodied tissue, trailing strings of
gore.
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And on the lid, scrawled in drying blood:[]
A gift for you and Lisa. Enjoy the family you wanted.[]
His phone was in his hand before he could think, fingers fumbling to dial my number–only to be met with the cold beep of a blocked line.[]
“She knows,” he whispered, staring at the blood on his shoes, his voice cracking.
“She knows everything.” Then, suddenly, he rounded on Zack, hands locking around the other man’s throat, eyes wild. [
“What did you do to her last night? What did you do?”
Zack shrank under Ethan’s murderous gaze, his voice wobbling.
“We had your blessing, man! Shouldn’t you be asking Lisa? She said the drugs would knock her out–no memory, no problem!” []
He jabbed a trembling finger at Lisa.
Lisa froze, then latched onto Ethan’s arm, voice trembling. []
“Ethan, I’m devastated too! That was our baby! I gave her pills, but I didn’t touch her–look at the blood! It must’ve happened last night when–“[]”
“Shut up,” Zack hissed, shooting her a glare. [
“Since when do you care about this cow? Her kid’s gone–now you’re free to be with Lisa, Ike you wanted! We did you a favor, man–her body’s a wreck. You think she’d ever bounce back after childbirth?”
The punch came without warning–crunch. []
Ethan’s fist slammed into Zack’s cheekbone, sending him sprawling. Blood gushed from his mouth, two teeth clattering to the floor.
“She’s my wife,” Ethan snarled, towering over the man.[]
“You don’t get to talk about her. Ever.”
Zack spat blood, eyes blazing.
“Over a woman? Don’t act innocent! You’re the one who said we needed leverage–your idea to let us have her. Now the kid’s dead, and you’re playing hero?”
Ethan didn’t hesitate. []
He hauled Zack up by the collar and slammed him into the wall, fist after fist raining down–until Lisa shrieked.[]
She’d slipped in the bloodied mess, landing square on the box’s contents. []
“What the hell is this? Disgusting!” Her voice cracked, eyes wide with revulsion.]
Ethan paused, glancing at her–coldness flickering in his eyes, a flicker of realization: this was never about love. It was about control.
itis assistant burst in, panting.
Chapter 5
“Boss! Someone posted a video–you and Ms. Lisa. It’s everywhere. Hawthorne Corp stock is crashing.“]
Ethan grabbed the tablet, fingers flying.
The screen showed him: smirking, slapping Lis
The comments were a storm:[]
“Mr. Perfect Husband? More like a monster.“[]
“Pregnant woman? They’re animals.“[]
“Lisa’s a homewrecker–she deserves to
burn.”
Lisa collapsed to her knees, face ashen. []
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“That bitch! She planned this–aborted the baby
She clung to Ethan’s leg. “We have to stop her-“]
unconscious face as Lisa giggled, positioning her for photos. []
purpose to ruin us!”
Ethan shoved her off, turning to the assistant. “Where is she? I want to see her. Now.“[]
