Chapter 2
[Damn! Alex is savage!]
[He's not following the script at all! The heroine is totally lost, lmao!]
[I'm dying! The male lead is totally going off-script!]
Ethan walked over, his face wasn't exactly pleasant, but he didn't look all that pissed off either.
He glanced at Chloe, then at me, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
I ignored all the stares and whispers around us, stood up, and gave him a casual pat on the shoulder, acting like nothing had happened.
"Let's go. Good thing you didn't end up marrying her, trust me, you'd be in for a world of trouble. It's been ages since we last hung out. Let's grab a drink."
I said it like I was completely unbothered, as if that whole circus had nothing to do with me at all.
Ethan just nodded, not even sparing Chloe a glance.
We walked out together, leaving behind a total mess of a wedding and a crowd of guests just waiting to watch the drama unfold.
I walked next to him and could see his jaw was clenched tight.
By all rights, if a bride walked out at the wedding and publicly threw the groom over for his own brother, anyone would have been furious.
But Ethan? The guy was just weirdly calm.
Honestly, it was just a business arrangement, there was never any real feeling between them.
I let out a breath, but I still couldn't shake off this weird heaviness in my chest.
Whatever. At least they didn't go through with it. That was for the best.
Bullet comments scrolled one by one.
[Ethan's not even mad?]
[Duh, he never wanted to marry her anyway. In her previous life, Chloe was the one chasing after the marriage.]
[Wait, they're leaving together? That's not how it's supposed to go!]
[Why am I kinda shipping these two now?]
[Hey, don't leave! I feel the same way!]
The Golden Lounge was our old haunt.
The top-floor suite had a killer view of Harbor City's night skyline and was soundproofed to perfection, whenever we needed to talk business or just escape the noise, this was always our go-to spot.
I ordered a row of drinks with practiced ease, then slid an already-opened bottle of whiskey over to Ethan.
"So, when did you guys decide to get married? I didn't hear a single thing about it," I said, kicking back on the couch.
I sprawled out, legs crossed.
Ethan took a swig, swallowing hard.
"Three months ago. The two families were partnering on a new energy project, and tying the knot just made everything easier," he said.
"So this was all just for convenience?" I snorted.
"So you two were just acting? Was today's scene off-script or something?" I asked.
"Did you ever have anything going on with Chloe?" Ethan shot back, dodging my question.
"Hell no," I snapped, rolling my eyes.
"First time I ever really looked at her was today. No clue what kind of crazy she's on, suddenly calling my name like that," I said.
I didn't bring up those bullet comments.
It was way too crazy, if I said anything, Ethan would definitely think I was just drunk and seeing things.
Bullet comments scrolled one by one.
[Ethan: I was faking it. Never wanted to marry her in the first place.]
[OMG, their banter is so natural! They have more chemistry than the main couple!]
[Chloe: Where's my script? Why is nobody sticking to the plot?]
Ethan took another swig of his drink, his tone flat.
"It's not like Chloe was the only option for the deal," he said.
"Then why did you even agree to marry her?" I asked.
As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted it.
What kind of guy was Ethan? He always put profit above everything else.
If marrying someone could get rid of trouble, he'd do it in a heartbeat.
Honestly, back then, I would've thought it was a smart move too.
But today, seeing him up there with someone else, it really hit me harder than I expected.
"I never really cared before," Ethan said quietly, watching the whiskey swirl in his glass.
"Now, looking back, maybe it's for the best."
For the best?
So, not getting married was actually a good thing?
I didn't let myself dwell on it, just raised my bottle and clinked it against his.
"Yeah, it's for the best. Single life rules. Here's to freedom," I said.
Halfway through, the waiter pushed open the door and brought in two glasses of amber-colored cocktails.
Without a second thought, I grabbed the drinks and handed one to Ethan.
"Give it a shot," I said.
We clinked our glasses and downed them in one go.
I started feeling weird less than ten minutes after I drank it.
Bullet comments scrolled one by one.
[Wait! Is there something up with this drink?]
[Here we go! The classic someone-spiked-the-drink moment! Chloe's behind this, right?]
[Damn, the heroine actually drugged them? Is she seriously that nuts?]
[Oh no, this is bad! Something's about to go down!]
I stared at the comments, my stomach dropped.
Wait, did someone spike our drinks?
Just as I was about to ask Ethan if he felt anything off, my whole body suddenly started burning up.
It felt like my blood was on fire, heat pooling in my stomach, and my head was spinning way worse than any normal buzz, this was definitely not just being drunk.
"This drink..." I muttered as I tried to stand.
I gripped the couch armrest to steady myself, but my legs went weak and I collapsed back onto the couch.
Ethan's expression turned grim. He pressed a hand to his forehead, his breaths coming out heavier.
"There's something off with this drink," he muttered, his voice rough and tense.
He was just about to stand and call someone over when I grabbed his wrist, stopping him.
My palm was burning hot, my eyes unfocused, but I gripped him so tight it hurt.
"Don't go," I said, my voice rough and husky, a needy edge slipping out before I even realized it.
"Ethan, don't go," I repeated.
Ethan stiffened.
"Alex, snap out of it," he said.
He tried to pull me up, holding me tight.
"I'm taking you to the hospital," he said.
"I'm not going to the hospital," I muttered, shaking my head.
I leaned in closer, instinctively pressing against him, my breath hot along his neck.
"Just find a nearby hotel," I said.
I was burning up, my mind foggy, but Ethan was the only thing I could focus on.
His scent, his warmth, his voice, Ethan was in my blood and bones, so familiar it was like he was etched into me.
Bullet comments scrolled one by one.
[Holy shit! The drug's kicking in!]
[Ethan, hang in there!]
[Damn, the tension is off the charts!]
[Mr. Carter's alpha side is about to come out!]
In the end, Ethan didn't take me to the hospital.
He half-carried me out of the lounge, took me to a nearby hotel, and booked us a suite.
I was a mess the whole way, hanging off him, my head buried in the crook of his neck, nuzzling up to him like I couldn't get enough.
His jaw was locked tight, and he had to struggle just to get me onto the bed.
Just as he was about to straighten up, I grabbed his wrist and dragged him back to me.
Before I knew it, the world spun and I was on top of him.
"Don't run," I said.