To be honest, it kinda was.
But I refused to admit it.
Then one day, Dad called.
“Sweetheart, you can come back now. It’s all settled.”
“Check the news.”
The headlines read:
The Jensen Group and the Lawson Group successfully outmaneuvered the Gorman Group, seizing one of their key projects. The Gorman Group’s cash flow was in crisis, and our families had officially fallen out.
Victor’s dad would never let him marry me now.
The Lawson and Jensen families even threw a banquet to celebrate.
For some reason, Mr. Jensen looked pissed.
But Dad? He was grinning ear to ear.
That night, Ethan and I were having dinner in a foreign city when he got a call from his dad.
Ethan listened for a bit, then looked at me with that same cocky, infuriating smirk.
“Yeah, I said it.”
“I want to be Jennie’s dog.”
“Not just for fun–I want to be hers for life.”
“So what if it’s embarrassing? I don’t care.”
“If you won’t allow it, I’ll go be Mr. Lawson’s live–in son–in–law.”
Then, he deliberately barked.
“Woof. Woof woof.”
I put down my fork and covered my face.
His handsome and proud face was unbearable to look at.
He wasn’t even speaking softly–now the whole restaurant was staring.
I dragged him out before we caused a bigger scene.
Ethan lost his mom early and soon got a stepmother.
Maybe he learned to use mischief to mask his real self.
Every day, he acted like a cocky little brat, always pushing people’s buttons.
When I returned, Dad told Ethan:
‘If you want to chase my daughter, you’re not strong enough yet.”
‘A man can’t just be a lovesick puppy. Come back when you’ve secured your place in your father’s company.”
refused the arranged marriage.
But Dad still found a way to get Ethan into the Jensen Group.
Only the heir of the Jensen family is worthy of my daughter!” he declared.
You have three years. No extensions!”
thought Dad was giving Ethan way too much pressure.
He was just a junior art student.
Before leaving, Ethan stood at my door, caging me in with his arms.
Tilting my chin up, he rubbed his thumb over my skin and whispered:
Jennie, wait for me to come marry you.”
This time, no backing out.”
wanted to snap back, “Go find someone who actually agreed to that!”
But looking into his burning, unwavering eyes, I hesitated.
I knew how badly his stepmother suppressed him in the Jensen family.
He had to stand tall.
Before I could think it through, my body moved on its own.
On tiptoe, I stole a quick kiss.
Chapter 10
“Hang in there. Don’t let them walk all over you.”
Ethan’s eyes turned red.
The next second, he grabbed the back of my head and crushed his lips against mine.
I tried to turn away, but he held my face still, deepening the kiss with reckless intensity.
I could barely keep up.
And that was when Victor arrived.
He snapped.
Charging at us like a madman.
Of course, he got nothing out of it–Ethan sent him flying with a single kick.
Then, grinning smugly, he wiped his lips and taunted,
“See that? Jennie kissed me first.”
“You’re out, old man!”
“Your family’s not bankrupt yet, right? Don’t worry–I’ll help you make that happen!”
After Ethan left, I turned to go inside.
Victor’s furious voice roared behind me.
“Why?”
Even now, he still didn’t know why I broke up with him.
I glanced back and sneered.
‘You set me up to catch you cheating.”
‘Victor, did you really think I’d be that easy to fool?”
His face twisted.
Humiliation and regret flashed in his eyes.
“So…” he croaked.
Scrambling to his feet, his voice wavered.
“Jennie, let me explain.”
1 let out a cold laugh.
“Explain what? That you thought our relationship was too boring, too peaceful, so you wanted to ‘spice things up‘?”
“And I–your ever–so–forgiving girlfriend–shouldn’t overreact or be so petty as to dump you over something so trivial, right?”
Victor’s throat bobbed.
He tried to argue back but found no words.
“Jennie, I’m sorry. I… please, give me another chance.”
“I was just being stupid, I wasn’t thinking–please.”
“We grew up together. Are you really willing to throw everything away?”
“All these years, my feelings for you were real. I love you.”
His eyes turned red.
Desperate.
Begging.
But
my voice was firm.
‘Yes, I’m willing.”
‘And no, I don’t want you anymore.”
‘Victor, get off my steps and out of my sight.”
The next three years, I had been busy.
Dad said I was his only daughter, and it was time I learned how to do business. He packed my schedule to the brim.
Meanwhile, Ethan wormed his way into every part of my life.
Afraid someone might steal me away, he actually snatched my wine glass at a business gala and shamelessly declared-
“I’m Jennie’s dog. I’ll drink this for her.”
Dad and Mr. Jensen were both at the table.
Mr. Jensen’s face turned so dark, he looked ready to ascend straight to heaven.
Ethan, unfazed, switched seats to sit next to me.
Flashing his signature roguish grin, he asked, “Right, Jennie?”
Under the table, I kicked him and hissed, “Behave.”
Ethan trapped my leg between his.
Then, as if nothing happened, he clinked glasses with the others.
Frustrated, I grabbed my phone and texted him.
“Let go of my leg.”
Ethan replied-
“Kiss me first.”
I nearly lost it.
“There are people everywhere! Can you stop being crazy for once?”
“It’s my birthday the day after tomorrow. Kiss me that night, or I won’t let go.”
I caved.
“Fine. I promise. Now let go.”
On the night of his birthday, Ethan sent me an address.
I checked the location-
It was the Gorman Group’s headquarters.
Victor’s dad’s company.
Frowning, I drove over and texted Ethan.
“Which floor?”
“Rooftop.”
I felt a bad premonition.
