Chapter 24

“Oh please,” I half groaned, already exhausted from what her fans did earlier. There was no energy left in my body to deal with her manipulative cruelty.

“We need to talk,” She picked at her fingernails, looking bored. I wanted to beg her to just leave, to tell her that I was in no mood to even look at her face.

But I didn’t do that. I sighed and listened.

“Say what you need to,” I told her, “But you can’t change anything between Ethan and I, we are legally married. I can’t just leave him.”

Sarah rolled her eyes and took a seat at one of the tables. She gestured for me to sit with her.

“I’m here to apologize.” She admitted, looking a little ashamed of herself.

“For what?” I asked, brows furrowing. Surely she wasn’t here over the pool situation.

“For everything.”

I looked down at the dark, wooden table and scratched behind my ear. I wasn’t sure what caused this change of heart from her, and part of me suspected it to be one of her moments where she pretended to be nice so she could get close and strike. She was a snake after all, Ethan said she was manipulative.

Nonetheless, I let her continue.

“I shouldn’t have pushed you into the pool at the ball. That was -” She exhaled, “- That was childish of me.”

I nodded in agreement, eyes narrowed but urged her to continue.

“And, I was told by someone what happened this morning with those girls who idolize me.” She popped the knuckles in her fingers, looking anywhere but at me. “I didn’t encourage them to do that, but I am still responsible for the actions people do under my name. I’m sorry.”

I wanted to believe that she was being sincere in her words, but I thought she was sincere before she tried to drown me. My optimistic side and my pessimistic side were battling each other, not sure what to believe as true.

I must’ve sat in silence for too long because she threw her chair back and stood up from the table.

“You don’t have to accept the apology,” She huffed, annoyed. “I just wanted to make things right.”

She started walking towards the door to leave, but I stopped her. Guilt ate at my insides at the very notion of letting her go without accepting her condolences. I caught up to her.

“I accept the apology!” I insisted, “Thank you for doing that, it means a lot.”

Sarah pursed her lips and cocked her head to the side with a shrug. “It’s nothing, I had to do it.”

I assumed she meant she had to do it to forgive herself. I didn’t want to be the reason she felt guilt either.

I gave her a small smile, “You didn’t have to, but I’m glad you did. I hope this means that one day we can grow to become friends?”

Sarah’s entire body went rigid, but she gave me a half-hearted smile back. Though, it didn’t reach her eyes. At my words, the air between us grew tense.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be your friend.” She grit out through her strained grin. It looked more like she was baring her teeth.

I halted, blinking up at her. Did she mean to say that?

“You don’t?” I clarified, thinking that she may have misspoken.

“I don’t want to be your friend.” She repeated. “In fact, I never want to see you again. I don’t want you near Ethan, I don’t want you in the same city as me.”

I took a few steps away from her, putting my hands up to show that I was not trying to cause any issues. I definitely didn’t want to start another fight with her, but she just kept going.

“I know I made a mistake dumping Ethan all those years ago,” Her voice kept getting louder and louder as she spoke, “I know that he loved me and I ruined it because I wanted - no - I needed more than he could give me.”

It didn’t feel like she was talking to me specifically any more, just that she was talking to get her feelings out to no one in particular.

“I loved Ethan, I still love him. I love him so much that the thought of being friends with his wife makes me want to rip my hair out.” She scowled at me and started pointing her index finger in my direction. “I’m mad at you for even existing.”

“Sarah!” I gasped. Where was all this coming from?

“Listen, Ava,” She settled her voice and calmed her breathing, finally returning back to a normal speaking volume. “There’s a lot going on behind the scenes that I’m sure you’re unaware of. You being nothing more than a pastry chef, I’m sure all the things that Ethan has to deal with don’t make any sense to you.”

My eyes widened and I furrowed my brows at her statement. She was all over the place, hopping from one statement to the next and never quite finishing a thought.

“Your marriage might seem fine now, but this is only the beginning. You’d be lucky to last a year with him, and once you’re divorced I’ll be the one who picks up the pieces and marries him next.”

I thought back to the contract. Ethan and I only had a year together before getting divorced. Did Sarah know more than she let on about our situation?

I didn’t like the idea of Sarah going back to Ethan after our agreement was finished. A pit formed in my chest at the image of the two of them going on dates, growing old, and having kids together.

I shuddered.

“I appreciate you sharing all of that with me.” I said, carefully. “I promise you I won’t hurt Ethan and we will be together for a long time.”

“All I’m saying is just watch your back.” Sarah ran a hand through her hair and fluffed up her roots. She said it like it meant nothing as she inspected the polish on her nails. My stomach flipped at the words.

“What do you mean?” I nervously chuckled at her ominous warning.

“I mean, there are people actively plotting against your marriage. I’ve been approached by several people to try and break the two of you up.” She met my eyes, squinting. I squirmed under her gaze, reeling over her news and the way she was looking at me.

She watched me like a cat hunting a mouse. In this case, I was merely a little rodent compared to her tiger.

“Why are you telling me this?” I frowned, suddenly wondering if this was just another one of her tricks. I believed her for a moment. Maybe that was a mistake and she was trying to manipulate me.

She smirked. “You don’t have a powerful family, do you?”

I bit my lip, not wanting her to know the truth about my family. The story about my family situation was being spread around online, but no one knew the truth about my mother’s illness or the reason Ethan and I really got married.

I only hoped Sarah thought I was powerless and poor, nothing more.

“Without any real connections, Ethan will never become Alpha chairman. He doesn’t want a wife that works.” She stated, matter of factly. The beating of my heart felt irregular as it sped up and slowed down at varying rates. My anxiety over the situation flooded my nervous system, making me shake.

I looked around at my shop, the hard work and dedication that had gone into it was enough to make any normal person proud. But Ethan wasn’t a normal person. He was rich beyond belief, an alpha, and incredibly famous.

My work was child’s play to him.

“Have you heard the name Mars?” She questioned.

I nodded in response, wringing my hands together. What would Mars have to do with any of this?

“Mars wants to break you two up so Ethan can marry me. He already has a plan in motion.”