Chapter 9: The Threat
Adrian called Ava’s phone at 10:17 a.m.
She stared at his name on the screen for several seconds before answering. Ethan stood nearby, watching her carefully.
“Where the hell are you?” Adrian’s voice was sharp the moment she picked up.
“I stayed at a hotel last night,” Ava lied. “I needed some space after the gala.”
There was a long pause.
“Space,” Adrian repeated, his voice dangerously calm. “You disappear after the biggest night of my career without telling me, and now you need space?”
Ava’s hand tightened around the phone.
“I’ll be home later,” she said quietly.
“No,” Adrian said. “You’ll come home now. We need to talk about last night. About the way Ethan Carter was looking at you. And about why you’re suddenly acting like you have somewhere else to be.”
Ava felt her stomach twist.
Before she could respond, Ethan gently took the phone from her hand and put it on speaker.
“Dr. Vaughn,” he said, his voice cold and steady. “This is Ethan Carter.”
There was a stunned silence on the other end.
Then Adrian’s voice returned, laced with barely controlled anger.
“Carter. What the hell are you doing with my fiancée?”
“She’s not your fiancée anymore,” Ethan said calmly. “And she won’t be coming back to your apartment. Not today. Not ever.”
Adrian let out a short, bitter laugh.
“You think you can just take her? You think you know what’s going on between us?”
“I know enough,” Ethan replied. “I know about the bruises. I know about the control. And I know that if you come anywhere near her again, you’ll regret it.”
Adrian’s voice dropped into something darker.
“You have no idea who you’re dealing with, Carter. I can destroy her reputation. I can make sure no one believes a single word she says. And if you keep interfering, I’ll make sure your precious foundation and your perfect image go down with her.”
Ethan’s expression didn’t change, but his eyes turned ice cold.
“Try it,” he said quietly. “See what happens.”
He ended the call.
Ava stared at him, her heart racing.
“Ethan… he’s going to be furious. He’s dangerous when he’s like this.”
May you like
Ethan looked at her.
“So am I.”
