Chapter 11 Don’t Be Scared
I froze as I recognized that voice and that mocking tone. It was Charles. Again? Seriously, what were the odds? He seemed to pop up everywhere I went. Now I was really in for it.
A few steps away, Charles cut an imposing figure in a suit that whispered of money and power. His calm expression held a weight that felt intimidating, making it difficult to believe he was the same meek man from our past.
Diana, who’d never bothered to hide her disdain for the old Charles, was now utterly quiet. The transformation had stunned her into silence just as much as it had me.
Ethan chuckled lightly, “Charles, shouldn’t you be at the hospital?”
The hospital? Was he hurt? My eyes scanned him quickly, but he looked perfectly fine. Definitely not injured. In fact, he seemed full of energy, just like last night.
Then it hit me. His love must be in the hospital. That was why he’d been so intense lately. She probably couldn’t give him what he wanted right now.
I was still lost in my thoughts when Charles strode over. His glare felt like ice.
I instinctively looked down, too nervous to even try explaining.
Diana leaned in and whispered, “Is this really the same Charles we used to push around? He’s totally different. It’s kind of intimidating. Ugh, success really changes people.”
If only she knew, he was transformed from the inside out, with only his face as a relic of the past. All I could manage in reply was a stiff, silent smile.
Charles shot me a cold glare before turning to Ethan. “You said you’d repay it for her. But as what, exactly?”
Ethan’s gaze softened as he looked at me. “I’ll help her in whatever role Annie wants me to.”
“Hmph.” Charles let out a sharp, mocking laugh. He was clearly pissed.
Before I could even form a response, he turned that icy stare back on me. “Well? What role do you want him to play, Anna? Hm?” He was smiling, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Chilling didn’t even begin to cover it.
I stiffened. “It’s not what you think,” I said hurriedly. “I never asked him to pay anything back.”
“Annie?” Ethan’s voice was gentle but firm. “Don’t be afraid of him. I’ve got your back. If you don’t want to owe him anything, I’ll cover it. No matter the amount.”
“Exactly.” Diana jumped in, anger flashing in her eyes. “He took advantage of you. If it weren’t for him, you’d be with-
She cut herself off as Charles’s glare swung her way. The words died in her throat. Honestly, who could blame her? The look he gave her was downright terrifying, cold and full of command.
Under the table, Diana squeezed my hand and whispered, “Is that really Charles? Are we sure he’s not some secret twin?”
I felt speechless. Her logic was even wilder than mine.
Tension hung thick in the air until Ethan broke the silence, his voice edged with frustration. “Just tell me, Charles. How much did you pay off for her family? If I hadn’t been away, you wouldn’t have even gotten involved.”
“Is that so?” Charles’s tone was dripping with sarcasm. “Even if it wasn’t me, it sure as hell wouldn’t have been you.”
“You don’t know that,” Ethan shot back firmly. “If I were here, Annie would’ve come to me first.”
Would I, though? I honestly didn’t know. Some hypotheticals were just impossible to answer.
Charles’s expression darkened. His long fingers tapped lightly against the edge of the table, casual but cold. The air grew thick with tension.
With every tap, my heart beat faster. I reached for his arm and forced a sweet smile. “Have you eaten? Let’s go home. I made something special for you today.”
He stared back at me, his face unreadable but his tone mocking. “Home? You always seem eager to run out the moment I leave. Do you really want to go back?”
I fell silent. He’d seen right through me. Even my best excuses would sound hollow now.
Charles coldly brushed my hand away, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “Seems like I interrupted your little gathering.”
He held my gaze for one more second before turning to leave. His tall figure seemed to radiate coldness as he walked away.
My heart clenched. Without thinking, I took a step to follow him.
But Ethan caught my arm. “Annie, why are you trying so hard to please him? This isn’t like you.”
Diana let out a sigh. “I get it, though. Charles is different now. He’s kind of intimidating. And Annie does owe him.”
“How much is it? I’ll cover it for you,” Ethan said, his eyes sincere. Even after everything I’d told him, it seemed like he still
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Chapter 11 Don’t Be Scared
held onto hope.
My chest felt heavy. Gently, I pulled my arm from his grasp and said softly but firmly, “Ethan, I really am grateful for you. But this is between him and me. Please let me handle it myself.”
Ethan took a step back, looking defeated. He drew a deep breath and said, “You say you like him, but you know there’s someone else he cares about, right?”
I went still. So Ethan knew about Charles’s first love.
He continued, his voice low, “She’s incredibly important to him. Special, in a way no one else is.”
“You mean… Cheryl?” I asked.
Ethan looked surprised, then even more disappointed. “So you know about her. Then why are you still holding on? Annie-” He gripped my shoulders urgently, “Just cut ties with him. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Beside me, Diana nodded in agreement.
My thoughts were spinning. His words echoed in my mind. If that Cheryl was so special, then why did Charles keep pulling me into his orbit? Just to mess with me?
Feeling frustrated, I pushed Ethan’s hands away and murmured, “Please, don’t worry about me. I won’t let myself be destroyed, I promise.”
Though I knew promises were easy to make. Keeping them was the hard part.
***
I rushed out of the restaurant and was relieved to see Charles’s car still there. Pushing my worries aside, I climbed into the passenger seat and flashed him a cheeky grin. “You didn’t leave? Waiting for me?”
He shot me a sidelong glance, his voice icy. “Finish your cigarette first.”
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