Love On Ice: Don’t Leave Me, My Charming Liar

Chapter 18: His distaste for the Brooks family was no secret, and the tension only deepened as he stood protectively close to her. Austen had been relieved that today had ended without incident. If it hadn't, Nyla might have been forced into a marriage she didn't want. The thought ignited his resolve to take her away. But Jackson pressed on. "Miss Green, please don't make this harder than it needs to be." Nyla felt the weight of the decision pressing on her. If she left with Austen now, it would only complicate things-for both of them.

She touched Austen's wrist gently, her voice soft but resolute. "Austen, thank you for coming for me. You should go back." "Nyla-" "It's okay," she assured him, though her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "My mom married into the Brooks family. Ryland cares about appearances-the Brooks family won't dare do anything to me." She let go of his hand. Austen saw the determination in her eyes and reluctantly stepped back. Nyla gave him a small, reassuring smile. Then, she walked to Ethan's car, opened the rear door, and slipped inside.

The car pulled away quickly, and as it passed Austen, he caught a glimpse of Ethan's indifferent, disdainful gaze. Inside, Nyla leaned against the car door, clutching her coat tightly. The soft hum of the rising partition made her pulse quicken, anxiety bubbling to the surface. Without warning, Ethan reached for her, pulling her closer. "So," he said, his voice low, edged with anger. "Already found someone new since you can't lean on me anymore? You're quick, Nyla." The bitterness in his tone cut deep.

Ever since she had moved her things out, he'd been simmering with anger, knowing full well about her blind date with Trevor. But what infuriated him more was that even when she was in trouble on his turf, she refused to seek his help. Discover fresh tales at g αℓ ησ ν s, com Later, in the police station, when she needed someone, she finally remembered him and turned to him for help. He had wanted her to know how helpless she would be without him, so he didn't agree immediately. To his surprise, she was too prideful to beg. She had even dared to hang up on him.

"Let go!" Nyla snapped, squirming in his grip. "Ethan, you're hurting me!" His grip eased, though his hand stayed firm on her arm. With his free hand, he tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Don't even think about leaving me," he said quietly, the words carrying a dangerous edge. Before she could respond, he reached for a small bag beside him, pulling out a tube of ointment. Wordlessly, he began tending to the bruises on her skin. Nyla's breath caught. He had bought the medicine beforehand. The realization was jarring, and for a fleeting moment, her resolve faltered.

But his cold, detached expression as he worked only deepened the pit in her stomach. Her voice broke as the emotions she had held back all day came crashing through. "You knew," she whispered, her words trembling. "You knew everything-and you didn't come. Were you with her? Ethan, I was almost raped! Do you even-" . . .