As Ethan spoke, the look in Irene’s eyes became even more revealing.
She didn’t want her feelings to spill out, but the dull ache in her chest flared up at that moment.
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She had always known Ethan would never truly see things from her perspective. But that morning at the office, watching him call in his assistant and junior lawyers, seeing him deliberately put on a performance in front of them, she had actually felt moved.
But now, she realized she’d gotten ahead of herself.
Maybe this morning was just a whim for him. Thinking about it now, the frustration in her chest started to build up again.
So when Ethan reached out to pull her into a hug, Irene instinctively raised a hand to stop him.
Ethan saw that she didn’t say a word, just put her hand against him, and his gaze grew complicated.
“Irene, what’s that supposed to mean? Are you really trying to cut me off?” he asked.
Instead of letting go, Ethan pulled her even closer. “Found someone new, huh? Why didn’t I hear about it? Who is he?”
There was a teasing note in his voice as he asked.
Irene hadn’t planned on getting upset with him. Honestly, just the fact that he had come along to help with the case meant a
lot to her.
But now, as she heard his words and saw his indifferent expression, her feelings surged again.
She bit her lip and managed a faint smile. “My family’s been pushing me to get married, so they set me up with someone. Just a regular guy at a small company, someone Mr. Drake wouldn’t know anyway.”
Hearing that, Ethan really couldn’t tell if she was being serious or just playing with him.
He narrowed his eyes and asked seriously, “Are you for real?”
Irene didn’t confirm or deny. She just said softly, “I’ve been thinking about it. I’m twenty–seven now, and back home, people my age already have kids old enough to run errands.”
For the first time, Ethan realized he couldn’t quite read her.
For a moment, he honestly couldn’t tell if she was just messing with him or actually serious.
He let go of her and sat down on the couch, looking at her with a serious expression.
“So your family set you up with someone they know inside out?” Ethan lit a cigarette and spoke casually through the haze. “Want me to vet the guy for you?”
“I’ve got two years on you, you know. I’ve seen more of the world than you have,” Ethan said offhandedly.
Hearing his laid–back tone, the ache in Irene’s chest sharpened.
“No need, but thanks for the offer. Like you said, my family knows him inside out, so you don’t have to worry about it,” Irene replied seriously.
“You said before, if either of us gets married, we have to cut things off,” she said, her voice steady.
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Chapter 173
“So let’s draw the line now,” she finished.
As she spoke, Irene grabbed her bag and put it down by the door, expecting Ethan to walk out.
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She knew how proud he was. After everything she’d just said, he’d definitely walk away without a second thought.
Someone like him could have any woman he wanted, so why stick around for this?
She’d barely hung up her coat when she heard Ethan’s footsteps behind her.
Noticing him approach, Irene instinctively turned to face him. “Is there something else, Mr. Drake?”
“So, are you actually with that guy your family set you up with?” Ethan asked, sounding completely nonchalant.
He didn’t show much emotion, but Irene could feel the vibe in the room suddenly drop.
Thinking back to the office that morning, Irene realized he probably couldn’t handle her being with someone else while there was still something between them, kind of like how she’d felt seeing him cozy up to another woman at dinner.
With that in mind, Irene replied seriously, “Not yet. It’s not like I’m dying to get married or anything. I just want to see if we click first.”
Hearing that, Ethan stepped closer. “So you two aren’t officially together yet, right?”
Realizing he was invading her space, Irene instinctively took a step back, trying to create some distance.
But she was already in the corner, and moving back only pressed her against the wall.
Ethan closed in, pressing her between himself and the wall, caging her in his arms. “So, since you two aren’t official yet, that doesn’t stop us from being together now, does it?”
Irene listened to him speak with a straight face, but something felt off. She couldn’t put her finger on it, and she frowned. “I don’t think that’s necessary. Maybe we should just—”
Before she could finish, Ethan suddenly pulled her tightly into his arms.
With Irene completely trapped in his arms, Ethan’s eyes darkened with emotion.
All the words she wanted to say were caught in her throat. Irene’s gaze was full of feeling, but Ethan was relentless, and he smothered all her resistance and emotions, refusing to let her go.
After two years, Ethan was fiercer than ever, as if this was their final stand.
At first, Irene tried to fight back, but soon all her emotions were tangled up with his, leaving her no choice but to give in.
Ethan was always the one in control, but tonight, he finally let himself lose control.
Usually, once things were done, Ethan would leave without looking back. So Irene didn’t dwell on it. She simply got up and headed for the shower.
But the moment she turned on the water, Ethan pushed open the door and stepped right in after her.
In the bathroom, with water streaming around them, Irene couldn’t resist anymore. She reached out for him, her eyes wide
with astonishment.
It was as if they both understood without a word. Irene said nothing; she simply surrendered, treating tonight like it was
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Chapter 173
their last chance, finally letting go of all restraint.
It wasn’t until just before dawn that Irene finally heard Ethan get up and slip out of the room.
For the first time in two years, he had actually spent the night holding her close as they slept.
It was only after he left that Irene realized he’d gotten himself another room just across the hall.
Her heart twinged out of nowhere, and Irene couldn’t even name the feeling washing over her.
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But honestly, a relationship like theirs was always going to end eventually. If it ended now, maybe that was for the best, for at least she could get out unscathed before she got in too deep.
Way better than sticking around until he got matched with someone his family picked and she got pushed aside.
At least this way, she could keep her head down at the firm and act like nothing had ever happened.
Irene ran through all kinds of pep talks in her head, but the more she tried to comfort herself, the sharper the sour ache in her chest grew.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
