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.

my eyes for

“With my own money.

asking,” Ethan said, jaw tight. “Why here? Why

I just didn’t tell you. And I didn’t think I needed to.” I

that’s what this is about? You buying

for years. Building your projects. Following your orders. I just wanted one

short laugh-more like a scoff. “You think I ever held you back? Every gift I gave you -each necklace, bracelet, trip-you think

I didn’t respond.

“For your kind information, the necklaces you wear are all expensive than this

pulled his wallet from his back pocket, yanked out his black card, and shoved it toward me. “Take it. Go buy ten

then pushed it gently back into his lap. “Alpha Ethan is

know I didn’t mean

and be an emotionless gold-digger. But I didn’t want to live like that. I had a self-esteem

I don’t want to be bought.” I unzipped my purse and dropped his card inside. “If

bag, but

me at all,

the way want

speak. I

My phone buzzed.

be Mike? I didn’t reply to

Ethan noticed.

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13:29

narrowed. “Who

flipped the screen toward

sure he could hear the name. “Want to say

He hesitated.

I said,

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

deal.

line, slightly surprised. “Oh, I didn’t know you were with Ethan. Never mind,

mine for

I’ll have it sent over.” She hung

puzzled. “Since when are you two

rather we fight every

that. The best way to shut people like him would be

started the engine.

still have

have someone

I stayed quiet.

I pretended to scroll through my phone just to avoid

the main road. I let out the

indoors. Didn’t step outside. Didn’t want to risk Ethan seeing me again. I knew he’d ex- plode the moment he found out about the divorce filing. And I didn’t

planned

Somewhere I could be