Ethan Clark had kept his heart guarded since that day he found out she had betrayed him. He focused on his other goals, buried himself at work, and vented his frustration and pent-up anger to people who’d failed him. He could never trust another soul after what she did to him, unless a contract was drafted with stated penalties for breach.

For Ethan, everything in life should be viewed and handled as a business transaction…whether a big or small matter…including the marriage arrangement with the least person he wished to consider to have as his wife.

“No, this is not possible. I can’t,” Samantha groaned as she stood up, storming out of the living room.

George Morgan sighed, shaking his head as he faced the Clarks with an apologetic smile. “She’s usually not that stubborn,” he laughed dryly and sighed. “Excuse me for a second. I’ll bring her back so we can finish the discussion about this marriage–”

“I’ll go,” Ethan volunteered, leaving his seat. “I’ll talk to her,” he said, his stoic expression making George hesitate for a second.

“Then, please call her back. It will be nice if you can convince her to agree to marry you,” George said, nodding at Ethan.

Ethan said nothing and just bowed his head slightly before excusing himself. He asked the maids about Samantha’s whereabouts, leading him to the kitchen where she endlessly cursed him and the idea of their marriage.

He clenched his fists, feeling a pang in his chest as he peeked through the slightly open door, watching and listening to Samantha venting her anger by punching the table counter.

Does she hate me that much to hurt herself out of anger? He thought, pressing his lips together.

“How dare he insult me? He’ll marry anyone but me? Fine! I don’t care! It would have been nice that way, until that jerk went quiet when he was threatened with being stripped of his position! Argh!” Samantha stomped her feet like a frustrated kid, her breath ragged and unstable as she was overwhelmed with emotion.

“I hate you, Ethan Clark! I hate you so much!”

Ethan shut his eyes and gulped, swallowing the lump in his throat. He didn’t want to walk in and let her know he heard everything she said about him. He would rather turn his back and leave, but Ethan knew they wouldn’t be able to avoid the marriage. It was crucial to keep their company going and prosper even more. With each other’s support, they would be able to maintain their place in the industry.

Their marriage was not about their personal feelings, it was business and had to be done. No matter what.

“The feeling’s mutual,” Ethan said, pushing the door open. He stepped with his usual calm expression like her words didn’t bother him.

“Wh-What?” Samantha stammered, her hands balled into fists as she turned to him in disbelief.

“I heard you hate,” Ethan shrugged. “The feeling’s mutual. I feel the same, Miss Morgan. So, don’t act like you’re the only one who’s at a disadvantage here.”

Miss Morgan? Samantha was taken aback, amused at how disgusting Ethan could be to address her so coldly.

Samantha looked at him with wide eyes, her mouth agape. “W-Wow! You’ve got such thick skin to say that. If you think this isn’t a good idea, then you should have kept going against it! They wouldn’t be able to do anything if we don’t agree anyway, right?”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “But you didn’t! You’ve become greedier than the last time I saw you, choosing your CEO position over your freedom. It wouldn’t have mattered to me if I’m not involved, you know?”

“Say whatever you want. I will marry you if it’s all it takes to keep my position in the company,” Ethan coldly replied, shrugging it off like it wasn’t that big of a deal marrying his ex.

And Samantha noticed it… She saw that indifference in his eyes. She hated the way he acted like it meant nothing, like marrying her was just a business transaction he had to honor for his gain. Deep down, she still wished he’d give her something honest. Maybe an explanation, a reason why he walked away when everything between them had seemed so right. But of course, Ethan wouldn’t even bother.

“Are you sure you want to be tied down to the woman you once vowed to protect... but ended up breaking instead?” Samantha asked bitterly, swallowing her pride as the words slipped through trembling lips.

She could no longer hide it, the pain she thought she’d pushed down at the deepest part of her soul had slowly emerged, revealing her vulnerable side in front of the person responsible for the pain she had to endure for years.

Ethan’s eyebrows met, and his jaw tightened for a moment. “What are you suddenly talking about? I don’t think we knew each other that much for me to break you like you’re accusing me,” he said in a low and deep voice. “I didn’t break you, Miss Morgan.”

Samantha let out a dry laugh, tears pooled in her eyes as she turned around and looked up, preventing any drop from falling. She clutched her chest and let out a moan as she felt the familiar throbbing inside.

“R-Right,” she chuckled, biting her lower lip as she blinked her tears away, wiping them off before facing him again. “You’re the kind of person who’d say that. How could I forget how ruthless you can be?”

Ethan sighed, brushing his hair up with his slender fingers. “You’re overreacting, Miss. As I’ve said, this marriage will happen. It will be hard to cooperate if you keep acting like this-”

A sharp gasp tore from his throat as Samantha’s foot slammed into his shin.

“Aw-! What the hell?” he staggered back, groaning in pain.

Samantha stared down at him coldly. “You want me to cooperate? Then beg, Ethan. No… Beg me, Mr. Clark.”