Isla sat on the edge of her bed, her thoughts swirling like a storm inside her. The gala had been a triumph, but it also brought to light the complexities of her feelings for Ethan. She needed to find a way to bridge the gap between them, to win his affection while maintaining her sense of self.
“Ethan is different,” she whispered to herself, reflecting on his intensity and the power he wielded. “I want to reach him, but how can I when I know he struggles with his own demons?”
As the night wore on, Isla made a decision. She would approach him with an open heart, seeking to understand him better. It was time to be vulnerable, to show him that she was more than just a pawn in his game.
The next morning, she found Ethan in his office, focused on his work. She took a deep breath and knocked lightly on the doorframe. “Can I come in?”
He looked up, surprise flickering in his eyes before he nodded. “What is it, Isla?”
“I wanted to talk,” she said, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. “About us.”
Ethan leaned back in his chair, his expression shifting to one of curiosity. “What’s on your mind?”
“I know things have been… complicated between us,” she began, choosing her words carefully. “I want to understand you better. I want to know what drives you, what you truly desire.”
His gaze sharpened, and she felt the intensity of his scrutiny. “And why do you care about that?”
“Because I care about you, Ethan,” she replied, her voice steady. “I want to connect with you on a deeper level. I want us to be partners, not just husband and wife by title.”
He regarded her for a long moment, his expression inscrutable. “You think understanding me will change anything?”
“I believe it can,” she said, her heart racing. “You have so much power and ambition, but I see the weight of it, too. You don’t always have to carry it alone. I want to share that burden.”
Ethan shifted in his seat, his demeanor softening slightly. “You have no idea what you’re asking for, Isla. My world isn’t easy to navigate.”
“I know,” she replied earnestly. “But I’m willing to learn. I want to support you, to stand by you, but I need to understand the man behind the title.”
A flicker of something vulnerable crossed his face, but it was gone in an instant. “You need to realize that my life is built on control and power. Emotions can cloud judgment, and I can’t afford that.”
“I understand that, but emotions can also bring strength,” she insisted, stepping closer. “You’ve built walls around yourself, and I want to help you break them down. Let me in, Ethan.”
He studied her, the tension between them thickening. “You think you can change me?”
“I’m not trying to change you,” she replied softly. “I want to support the man you are beneath all the layers. I want to help you find peace, even in a world that demands so much from you.”
Ethan’s expression remained guarded, but Isla could see a flicker of intrigue in his eyes. “It’s not that simple, Isla.”
“Maybe it isn’t, but I’m willing to try,” she urged, her heart pounding. “Let me prove that I can be your partner. I want to fight for you, for us.”
After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke, his voice low and contemplative. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Isla. But if you’re willing to take that risk, then perhaps we can find some common ground.”
A wave of relief washed over Isla, and she felt a spark of hope igniting within her. “I’ll do whatever it takes, Ethan. I just want us to understand each other better.”
He nodded slowly, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Really?” he said, stepping closer to her. His fingers brushed against her cheek, his gaze cold yet intense. “I know you, Isla. This is a trap. The moment we got married, you know everything about me, so it’s impossible for you to really want me.”
Isla fought to maintain her composure, aware of his sharpness. Ethan was incredibly intelligent—ruthless, even.
“You’ve turned me into your enemy. Taking the Wooder contract was your first move. Do you really think you can win me over?” he said, his tone icy but edged with intensity.
Isla met his gaze, determination flooding her. “Don’t you think I’ve tried to win you over too? I’m not your enemy. I just want to understand you.”
Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly, and the silence between them thickened. “You don’t get it, do you? This world is unforgiving. You can’t play games and expect to win.”
Isla held his gaze, her heart pounding. “Did you ever love me, even a little?” she asked, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
For a moment, silence enveloped them. Ethan's grip on her chin loosened, and a strange look crossed his face. Then, unexpectedly, he let out a sharp laugh, almost incredulous. “Love? You’re asking me about love after everything? This is a game to you, Isla.”
“It’s not a game!” she replied, frustration bubbling to the surface. “I’m trying to connect with you. I’m trying to make this work!”
Ethan’s laughter faded, replaced by a serious expression. “You want to know the truth? Okay. I didn’t marry you for love. I married you for a purpose. Revenge. Love is a luxury I can’t afford in this world.”
Isla felt her heart drop, a cold wave of reality settling over her. “So, that’s it? All of this?” she whispered, barely able to keep the tremor from her voice.
Ethan took a step back, crossing his arms, a familiar barrier rising between them. His expression was unyielding, his eyes hard as steel. “You already know the reason, Isla. From the very beginning,” he said flatly, his tone devoid of warmth."
Isla clenched her fists, trying to suppress the sting of tears welling in her eyes. She had to stay composed, not giving him the satisfaction of seeing her break. "Okay, I get it now." she said, her voice steady despite the pain bubbling underneath. “Good night.”
Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked out of his office, her footsteps echoing in the cold, silent corridor. The weight of the encounter pressed down on her, but her mind was already shifting. If Ethan wanted to play games, fine. She would play along.
As the door closed behind her, Isla’s resolve hardened. She wiped the tears from her eyes, her breath steadying as she moved through the dimly lit halls. “He thinks he can control everything,” she thought. “But he’s not the only one who can play this game.”
She had been passive for too long, letting Ethan dictate every move, but no more. If he wanted a challenge, she was ready to give it to him. Whatever it took to reclaim her power in this twisted marriage, she would do it. She had learned from him; from the way he wielded control like a weapon. Now, it was her turn.
As she reached her room, Isla paused for a moment, her mind racing with the possibilities. Ethan underestimated her, seeing her as just another piece in his elaborate game of power and manipulation. But she was more than that, and he would soon realize it.
With a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped inside, her resolve solidified. 'He wants to play?' she thought, her lips curling into a determined smile. 'Fine, I’ll play with him.'"
She was done being the obedient wife, and from now on, she would make her own rules.