Chapter 176
Aria’s POV
I slid into the driver’s seat, my fingers already reaching for the door handle when a hand suddenly clamped down on it, wrenching it back open.
The Patek Philippe watch caught the fluorescent lights first. Then I saw it—that damned wedding band, still glinting mockingly on his finger.
“Aria!” Ethan’s voice was ragged, breathless. “Finally! Do you have any idea how long I’ve been looking for you p>
He shoved half his body into the doorway, physically blocking me from closing the door. His chest heaved like he’d been running, his normally perfect hair disheveled.
For a moment, I could see the fury blazing in his eyes. But then something shifted as he really looked at me—really saw me—and that anger flickered, dimming into something else entirely.
I knew what he was seeing.
I’d caught my own reflection in the rearview mirror earlier—my hair swept into an elegant updo with diamond clips catching the light, the soft waves brushing my shoulders.
The dress was deceptively simple, a gradient of warm ivory that cost more than his monthly mortgage payment, though he’d never know the brand.
My jewelry was minimal but exquisite—pearl earrings, a clear teardrop diamond necklace.
And on my left hand, impossible to miss, was Damian’s ring. The massive center stone seemed to pulse with its own inner fire, flanked by the matching platinum bracelet we’d chosen together.
Ethan’s gaze zeroed in on it like a wolf spotting wounded prey.
His hand shot out, grabbing my wrist with bruising force. “What the hell is that? Where’s your wedding ring? So it’s true—you really do have another man p>
The accusation hung in the air between us. Even now, even seeing the evidence with his own eyes, he couldn’t quite believe I’d actually moved on.
“Don’t touch me!” I yanked my arm back, but his grip was iron.
Fine. If he wanted to play rough, I could play rough.
I grabbed the door handle and slammed it forward with all my strength. The edge caught his forearm with a satisfying crack.
“Fuck!” He jerked back, cradling his arm.
I didn’t waste the opening. My foot hit the gas before he could recover, the engine roaring to life. But of course Ethan couldn’t let it go—he never could.
Through the windshield, I watched him sprint ahead, planting himself directly in front of my car like some kind of deranged action hero.
“Aria! Get out of the car and explain yourself! How can you do this to me? After everything I’ve sacrificed for you, all the pressure I endured from my family just to be with you—and this is how you repay me? Do you have any conscience at all p>
His voice cracked on the last word, raw and jagged. It echoed through the concrete garage, bouncing off the walls.
Ethan, who prided himself on always maintaining perfect composure, was completely unraveling in a parking garage.
The irony would have been funny if I wasn’t so disgusted.
I watched him slam his fists down on my hood, his whole body shaking.
“This is your last chance, Aria. Get out. Apologize. If you do it now, I might—might—be able to forgive you. Otherwise, I’ll make you pay. Forget the company shares. You’ll lose everything—you won’t be my wife anymore, won’t be part of the Holt family, won’t get a single thing from us p>
The threat hung in the air like a bad smell.
And just like that, something inside me snapped.
I’d been planning to take my time with my revenge. Let them twist in the wind, wondering when the other shoe would drop.
Make them feel the same creeping dread and helplessness I’d felt for two years, believing I was going insane while they gaslit me at every turn.
But looking at Ethan now—at his self-righteous fury, his complete inability to comprehend that *he* was the villain in this story—I realized I was done playing games.
I rolled down the window just enough to meet his eyes.
“Ethan.” My voice came out cold, surgical. “Are you still living in a fantasy world? Let me make this crystal clear for you:
You’re already dumped. Even if you offered me the entire Holt fortune right now, even if you got down on your knees and begged, I would never—*never*—take you back p>
I didn’t wait for his response. My foot slammed down on the accelerator.
For one beautiful second, I watched pure shock bloom across his face. He’d actually thought I was bluffing. Actually believed I wouldn’t dare.
He dove aside at the last possible moment, his body crashing into a concrete pillar. I heard the impact even through my closed windows—a dull, meaty thud that probably hurt like hell.
Good.
I didn’t slow down. Didn’t look back. Just kept my foot on the gas and drove straight out of that garage without a single backwards glance.
My hands were shaking on the steering wheel, adrenaline making my pulse race. But underneath the fear and anger, I felt something else blooming in my chest.
Freedom.
Ethan’s POV
Pain exploded through my shoulder where I’d hit the pillar, but I barely registered it. All I could see was Aria’s taillights disappearing up the exit ramp.
She’d actually done it. She’d nearly run me over and didn’t even hesitate.
“Ethan! Are you okay?” Clara’s voice cut through the ringing in my ears. She appeared at my side, her hands fluttering over my arm. “My God, is she insane? She almost killed you p>
I shook her off, already moving. “I’m fine. Go home p>
“What? Ethan, wait p>
But I was already running for my car, my wolf howling inside my chest. Nothing else mattered—
I had to catch her. Had to make her understand. Had to—
My hands gripped the steering wheel so hard I heard the leather creak. The engine roared as I peeled out after her, my mind a white-hot blank of pure instinct.
She couldn’t leave me. I wouldn’t let her.
Years of history, of shared memories, of me holding all the cards—she thought she could just walk away from all of that? She thought one mystery man and some expensive jewelry meant she was free?
I’d show her. I’d remind her exactly who she belonged to.
Even if I had to drag her back kicking and screaming, even if Silver Creek fell apart, even if my father disowned me—none of it mattered.
Because the thought of Aria actually leaving, of losing her forever, was worse than dying.
My wolf snarled in agreement, driving me forward with single-minded intensity. Hunt. Chase. Claim.
She was mine. She would always be mine.