Chapter 349
Third Person POV Irene sat in the parlor at the villa , her hands trembling as her thumb was hard at work , scrolling through the many pictures she and Ethan had taken together this past year .
All her hopes and dreams for the future were gone now that she knew Ethan wasnt being truthful.
All the lies and manipulation … what was it even for ? To get close to her father ? Sitting beside her on the couch were photos of Ethan and various other women .
Alex did some more digging and found out that Stella wasnt the only woman Ethan had been with .
Hes been with multiple women in a span of months … all of them resembling Judy in one way or another Alex had someone following him these last couple of days and managed to get some photos for Irene , and she was gutted by the evidence .
The worst part was … she had no one to talk to about this .
She pushed away the only true friend she had .
She regretted everything she had done to Judy , and she hoped she could make things right .
She wrapped her arms around her body , trying to hold herself together to keep from sobbing too heavily .
Approaching footsteps jolted her mind back to the present moment .
Just as Ethan walked through the parlor archway , Irene put her phone down and grabbed the photos Alex had given her .
The first thing she noticed was that Ethan looked tired .
She scoffed , knowing exactly why he was tired .
The evidence was in her hands .
His eyes found Irene almost immediately , and he paused , seeing the anger in her eyes .
What is it ? He asked , stepping towards her .
Did something happen ? Her bottom lip trembled ; she hated that she was about to fall apart in front of him .
Irene stood up , picture evidence firmly in her hands as she turned to face him fully , her eyes brimming with tears and all the emotions shed been holding back .
Though she looked like a gutted young woman , her tone held the power of one born with Lycan blood and had a deadly edge to it .
How long ? She asked .
Ethan frowned .
Babe , what are you talking about? He asked , his tone exasperated and annoyed ; he sounded as tired as he looked .
Irene threw the photos at his face , making him flinch .
As he watched the photos fall to the ground , his face visibly paled once realization dawned on him .
She knew .
I can explain those , he said , his voice coming out controlled , like he wasnt about to lose his mind , though his eyes said something entirely different .
How long have you been cheating on me , Ethan ?? She spat .
He stared at the photos , at a loss for words .
His silence made a hysterical laughter bubble out of her .
Irene- he started to say , but she didnt give him the chance to spread more lies for her ears to hear .
Chapter 349
Did you ever love me ? She asked .
Or was it all a lie so you could get close to my father ? He stared at her ; it was clear to her that he was trying hard to keep his face indifferent , though his eyes were like a window to the turmoil he felt .
He remained locked away , reserved .
It was driving her crazy ; she wanted some kind of reaction towards him , but he had shut himself down , shielding her from his true emotions .
She clenched her fists at her sides , her nails digging into the palms of her hands .
She could feel the blood trickling down her forearm as she fought the urge to lunge at him .
All the things you said about Judy … she said through her teeth Were they the truth ? Or did you lie to me , Ethan ? Was anything you said true ?? Once again , he remained silent .
It was all the answer she needed ; he had told her that Judy was the cheater and the aggressor and that he had left Judy because of her infidelity .
He told Irene that Judy was unstable and trying to win him back .
He painted her as the villain , but now shes realizing that none of it was true .
Ethan lied to her , and because of it , she lost a really good friend .
Irene felt sick to her stomach , even being in the same room as him .
45 Holy shit … she whispered , more to herself than to him , as more realization dawned on her , the puzzles working themselves out .
I was the other woman , wasnt I ? He finally pulled his gaze from the pictures to meet her eyes .
I did what I had to do , he said , his tone becoming almost harsh .
Irene wasnt used to hearing that kind of tone from him , and she flinched almost immediately despite her own fury .
Was any of it true ? She asked again , needing an answer so she could finally put this toxic relationship behind her .
It wasnt personal , he murmured .
But I had to do what I had to do to get ahead .
To get ahead ?? She asked , her voice coming out louder .
So , this was all about my father ? You dont need to blow this out of proportion , Irene … He started to say , but he was unable to finish his sentence because she swung and punched his face .