Watch Me Win, Alpha

Chapter 17

I placed the box on a shelf in my new apartment.

I didn’t open it again. Didn’t even brush the dust from the corners. I wasn’t going to throw it away or burn it either. That memory-what we buried-it wasn’t just about Ethan. That paper held a version of me too. A girl who used to believe in something.

My phone vibrated. Ethan.

I stared at the screen. He’d been calling more often lately. Maybe he could feel it too-that we were done. That this thing between us was already dead. I didn’t answer. I didn’t hang up either. Just let it ring until it stopped.

A few seconds later, I got a new text. From Mike.

“Mr. Green will be attending a meeting at Ashmoon Hotel on Friday afternoon. You may deliver the suit at that time.”

Ashmoon Hotel? That’s… secluded.

My brows furrowed. Why would Alexander want to meet me at a hotel? And why now? I didn’t want to read too much into it. I wasn’t naive, and I sure as hell wasn’t desperate. But it did feel strange.

Still, I didn’t reply. Not right away. I needed to think.

Two hours later, I pulled out of the Duskhollow Pines gate, sunglasses on and my hair pulled into a neat low bun. But my fingers slammed the brakes the moment I saw that familiar blood-red Ferrari parked down the road.

My heart sank.

Ethan.

He was leaning against the side, smoking. His expression behind the curtain of smoke wasn’t hard to read. He was pissed off and intentionally was parked in my way.

I knew I couldn’t avoid this. I parked behind him, grabbed my bag, walked over, and slid into the passenger seat with- out being invited.

I spoke first. “Why are you here?”

His

eyes

didn’t move. “You tell me, Olivia. What the hell are you doing here?”

I frowned: “You followed me?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he picked up the phone from his dash and threw it into my lap. “Explain.”

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13:29

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I looked down. On the screen was a list of property owners in Duskhollow Pines.

there. I closed my eyes

said, calmly. “With my own money. From my

what I’m asking,” Ethan said, jaw tight. “Why here? Why

just didn’t tell you. And I didn’t think I needed to.” I turned toward him. “Do I need your permis- sion to have something of my

this is about? You buying your

been working for years. Building your projects.

“You think I ever held you back? Every gift I gave you -each necklace, bracelet, trip-you think that was

I didn’t respond.

the necklaces you wear are all expensive than this piece of property you brought. All I did

then pulled his wallet from his back pocket, yanked out his black

card for a second, then pushed it gently

“You know I didn’t mean it like

choose to continue to put up with his betrayal and be an emotionless gold-digger. But I didn’t want to live like that. I had a self-esteem and

purse and dropped his card

reached to close my bag, but he grabbed my

you trust me

paused. “You live your life the way want to, anyways. You can keep living

didn’t speak. I pulled my hand

My phone buzzed.

I didn’t reply to his text earlier, maybe he was confirming

Ethan noticed.

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13:29

eyes narrowed.

flipped the screen toward me. Amelia. Thank

could

He hesitated.

I said,

the call on speaker. “Hey, Amelia. I’m with Ethan” I hoped she could get me and

deal.

know you were with Ethan. Never mind, dear. Just calling about the bag. Still want

quickly. “Sent all mine for

then. I’ll have it sent

over at me, puzzled. “Since when are you

“Would you rather we

no comeback for that. The best way to shut people like him would be

the engine. “I’ll drop you

still have my car

someone

I stayed quiet.

to scroll

porch as Ethan’s car finally disappeared into the main road. I let out the breath

he’d ex- plode the moment he found out about the divorce filing. And I didn’t want to

planned

I could be unreachable