Chapter 225
Sean’s POV
I kicked the door shut behind us as Ethan strode into my place like he owned it. Same old Ethan–years abroad hadn’t changed him one bit. Still carried himself like some kind of royalty, observing everything with those unnervingly calm eyes.
‘Looks like you’ve been doing well for yourself,” he commented, taking in my living room with that subtle hint of approval I’d always craved from him back in the day.
“What, you thought I’d still be living like a broke med student?” I shet back with a grin, heading to the kitchen to grab some water. “Some of us actually evolved while you were gone.”
I handed him a glass of filtered water–because God forbid Ethan Kennedy drink straight from the tap like us peasants. “So how long are you staying in New York this time? Your villa’s been empty so long I’m surprised squirrels haven’t claimed it.”
Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Why do you ask?“,
“Just curious,” I shrugged, flopping down on my couch. “And speaking of being curious, where’s your shadow? That woman who’s usually glued to your side? Don’t tell me you finally shook her off.”
Something flickered in Ethan’s eyes–a ripple in the calm pond of his perpetual poker face. “You seem awfully interested in her.”
“Whoa, easy there,” I backpedaled, holding up my hands. “Just making small talk! She Had quite the personality. Just wondering why
she didn’t tag along this time. Got other business to handle?”
“That’s none of your concern,” Ethan replied flatly, setting his glass down. “Instead of worrying about my affairs, perhaps you should be more concerned about yours.”
My smile froze. “You saw Alice?”
Ethan took a deliberate sip of water. “Briefly. A chance encounter, you could say.”
I forced my smile wider, trying to mask the sudden tightening in my chest. “A chance encounter? You, Ethan Kennedy, just happened to run into her? That’s quite the coincidence.”
“Ask whatever it is you want to ask,” Ethan said, cutting through the bullshit as usual.
He rose from his seat, moving to a quieter corner of my living room, choosing a spot by the floor–to–ceiling windows. Outside, winter had stripped the trees bare, the gray landscape matching the heaviness settling in my chest.
Ethan’s long fingers absently rubbed the spot between his thumb and index finger–his tell when he was thinking carefully about his next words. He pulled out a cigarette, holding it between two fingers without lighting it.
“She looks well,” he finally said, his gaze fixed on the bleak landscape outside. “I didn’t approach her. She appears to be… married
now.”
The words hit me like a physical blow. My face–usually so quick with a smile or a joke–felt frozen. My hands clenched into fists so tight my knuckles turned white.
Nforced myself to k, meeting Ethan’s steady gaze. “Really?”
“You don’t seem pleased to hear she’s doing well,” he observed.
I stretched my lips into something resembling a smile. “Why wouldn I be?”
1/3
Chapter 225
Of course I’m not happy. She’s married. She’s moved on. She’s happy without me. It’s the best possible ending for her–and probably the best outcome for us both–but fuck if it doesn’t feel like someone’s twisting a knife in my chest..
Ethan’s gaze drifted back to the window. “Good. Some things aren’t meant for people like you and me. There’s no point in dwelling on what can’t be yours. You’re the one who let her go, so it’s time to stop holding on. That’s actually why I came back–to tell you she’s doing fine, so you can finally move on with your life too.”
I let out a cold laugh. “How fucking thoughtful of you. I’m not hung up on her, if that’s what you’re implying. If she’s happy, great. If not… well, that’s not my problem anymore, is it? You don’t need to test me like this, Ethan. When it comes to being heartless, ! couldn’t hold a candle to you.”
Ethan glanced up at me, something like pity flickering in his eyes.
His long fingers rolled the unlit cigarette thoughtfully. “I haven’t told Brandon about this. He probably wouldn’t want her back.”
I forced a smirk. “Then why tell me? She was nothing more than a fling. When she left, whatever we had ended. Period.”
I sucked in a sharp breath, my lungs suddenly feeling too tight.
“What time are we heading to Manhattan Club tonight?” Ethan asked, smoothly changing the subject.
“Eight should work,” I replied. “Let the place get warmed up first.”
“I’ll go upstairs and rest for a bit,” he said, patting my shoulder briefly before heading up to the guest room.
I stared at his retreating figure, feeling the smile slide off my face like melting wax. Following his earlier gaze, I looked out at the barren trees, dead leaves scattered across the ground, occasionally stirred by random gusts of wind.
The scene transported me back to another winter day, just as bleak, just as cold. I’d been about fifteen, skipping classes from med school, feeling like the king of the world after a day of teenage rebellion. On my way back to campus, I heard crying–soft, desperate) sobs coming from up in a tree.
It was a young girl’s voice, heartbroken and afraid.
I wasn’t the type to get involved in other people’s problems–never had been–but something pulled me into that park that day. I found myself standing beneath a massive oak tree, looking up at a little girl clinging precariously to a branch.
I still remembered how she looked: not at all pretty, face streaked with tears, snot running from her nose. When she spotted me, immediately called out, “Help me!”
I nearly walked away right then. But she cried harder, her tiny voice breaking as she pleaded, “Please, save me!”
I later learned she was Brandon’s half–sister–an unacknowledged presence in the Stark family, born from an affair and largely
ignored.
she
Because I’d been stupid enough to help her down from that tree, she latched onto me like a barnacle. Wherever I went, she followed,
until…
I pressed my fingers to my temples, trying to push the memories away. How could it still be so vivid after all these years?
Stop. Don’t go there Don’t fucking go there.
I opened my eyes suddenly, startled to find wetness on my cheeks. Glancing down, I traced the long scar on the back of my hand, hearing her final words to me as clearly as if she were standing right beside me.
“Live or die, we shall never meet again.”
