Chapter 8
Chapter 8
“Look who’s crawling back,” a voice purred,
Zack leaned against a Terrari, arm slung around Lisa’s waist, her head tilted equity against his chee
“Lisa…?” Ethan breathed, voice breaking
She smirked, tracing Zack’s collarbone,
“Don’t call me that, baby, Zack gets jealous.”
He stared at their intertwined bodies, rage and betrayal choking him. “I lost everything for yout Lila left me because
of you-”
Lisa rolled her eyes. “Please. You’re broke, homeless, useless. Why would I stick around?”
He lunged for her, but Zack’s boot met his ribs first, sending him sprawling
“Touch her again, and I’ll break every bone in your sorry body,” Zack growled, stomping on Ethan’s hand, the crack
of bone loud in the silence,
Blood gushed from Ethan’s mouth, two front teeth lying shattered on the pavement.
Zack grinned, remembering the beating he’d taken a month ago–payback tasted sweet
“Thought you were untouchable, huh? Newsflash: empires fall.”
He kicked Ethan’s side again, harder, as Lisa laughed, snapping a photo of the man who’d once been her god.
Ethan curled into a ball, blood mixing with tears, staring at the sky–empty, indifferent.
“You dared hit me?” Ethan gurgled, blood pooling between his fingers, fury warring with the agony in his shattered
mouth.
Zack stomped down harder, his boot grinding Ethan’s wrist into the gravel.
“What, you need a special occasion for a beating? Newsflash, buddy–your little CEO crown’s been tossed in the trash. Lila sold your company to me for chump change. Even your whore’s mine now.”
He spat on Ethan’s forehead, the glob of saliva mixing with blood.
“I’ll kill you both-” Ethan hissed, fists trembling at his sides.
Lisa knelt before him, manicured nails digging into his chin, her smile razor–sweet. “Save your threats, A–Jin. You’re a stray dog now–anyone can kick you. What exactly do you think you’re fighting for?”
Blood dribbled down Ethan’s chin as he stared up at her, the woman he’d destroyed his marriage for. This was the truth–no loyalty, no love. Just hunger for power.
19:59
Crashed Car, Crashed Crush:Amnesia Became My Reset Button
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Chapter B
She patted his cheek, condescending.
“Climb back to the top, and maybe I’ll reconsider. But right now? You’re not even worth the dirt on my shoe.”
She stood, looping her arm through Zack’s, and planted a kiss on his lips, her hand wandering south.
“Come on, baby. We have a dinner to attend–with your new board members
Zack laughed, smacking her ass as they walked away, their laughter echoing like a death knell.
Ethan pushed to his feet, watching them go, Lila’s final words ringing in his ears: “Lose everything… see who’s real.”
“Lila… I see it now,” he whispered, voice raw. “I see it all.”
The night air bit into his skin as Ethan scaled the fence of Zack’s mansion, adrenaline numbing the ache in his ribs.
Inside, muffled moans drifted from the bedroom–Lisa’s breathy sighs, Zack’s grunts.
He crept in, rope coiled in hand, rage a red haze. One swift loop around Zack’s throat, a brutal yank-
Lisa’s scream tore the air.
Zack’s face purpled, hands scrabbling at the rope, legs kicking the sheets as he choked. “Lisa… help…”
But she just froze, eyes wide as Ethan leaned into the rope, biceps bulging with years of pent–up fury.
When Zack’s body went limp, Ethan dropped him like trash, then ground his heel into the man’s throat for good
measure.
“Touch her again,” he panted, “and I’ll make you beg for the grave.”
Lisa scrambled backward, but Ethan grabbed her by the hair, dragging her to Zack’s corpse, her scalp tearing under his grip.
“You wanted to play whore? Play.”
“I–I’m sorry!” she sobbed, blood trickling from her split lip where he’d backhanded her. “I’ll stay, I’ll-”
“Shut up.” He kicked her in the ribs, relishing her gasp.
“You think I want you? You’re a parasite, Lisa. A disease.”
He hauled her up by the throat, her legs dangling, tears streaking her makeup.
“Lila was worth a thousand of you. And you ruined her.”
Her nails scratched at his wrists, but he didn’t let go, didn’t flinch.
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