Filed to story: Watch Me Win Alpha (Olivia & Ethan)
Alexander met my eyes. “Good.”
Jess stiffened. Ethan, meanwhile, looked like he was choking on his own breath.
Alexander added, “The doctors say you’ll need at least a week to recover. I’ll arrange for a private jet. You shouldn’t travel commercial in your state.”
I shook my head. “Thank you, but I’ll go back with the team. I don’t want special treatment.”
He gave a small nod. “As you wish.” He glanced at Jess. “We’ll head out. Gai, with me.”
As they turned to leave, Jess lingered a moment, throwing a frosty glance my way. I held her stare, calm, unshaken. She followed Alexander out, her heels clicking hard against the floor.
Ethan slammed the chair behind him. “So this is what we’ve come to? You were looking at him like you wanted him, longed for him.”
“Lower your voice,” I snapped. “And get out.”
He froze.
“I mean it,” I said, pressing the nurse call button. “Go cool your head somewhere else. You’re not my husband anymore.”
He opened his mouth but closed it again. Instead of leaving, he slumped back into the chair.
Three long days passed. I didn’t want to admit it, but Ethan stayed through them all. I barely spoke to him. Ignored him. Pretended he wasn’t there. But he made himself present. Brought food. Cleaned the table. Adjusted the blanket when I fell asleep.
It didn’t mean anything.
His phone rang constantly. I’d catch him staring at the screen, answering some, declining most. He was irritated, restless.
I think I knew what was going on. The Windsor family might have saved Chole already and she would be trying to contact Ethan impatiently.
One morning, I asked for help to the restroom and used the moment to call Ava.
She picked up on the first ring. “Liv?”
“Hey. Can you talk?”
“I was just about to call you,” she said. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. A little stitched up. I’ll survive.” I kept my voice light.
“Any word on Chole?”
A pause.
“She’s been bailed out.”
“On what grounds?”
“The Windsors provided medical records claiming she has a long-term mental condition. The judge approved supervised bail.”
I exhaled. Of course they’d pull that card.
Ava added, “It’s a temporary win. Don’t let it get to you.”
“I’m not,” I said quietly.
Another pause.
“Liv,” Ava said, “what are you thinking?”
There was silence on my end for a beat.
Then I said it.
“I’m thinking of a settlement.”
Ava’s sharp inhale echoed through the speaker. “You what?”
Olivia’s POV
“I swear, it’s like he’s playing house,” I muttered.
Ava’s sigh crackled softly through the phone. “Still pretending to be the perfect husband?”
“Every damn day!” I rolled my eyes, even though she couldn’t see it. “He brings me soup, tucks in the blankets like he actually cares, wipes my tray after I eat. Ava, the man used to forget my birthday and now he’s folding napkins.”
“You sound like you’re describing a different person,” she said dryly.
“That’s the problem,” I replied. “He’s trying to be a different person. And it’s exhausting watching him act.”
I paused and added more seriously, “I’m worried that even if I threaten him, he won’t compromise. He’ll just… keep trying”
“What’re you thinking?” Ava asked cautiously.
I bit my lip, heart racing at the thought I’d been turning over for hours. “A crazy plan.”
“I’m listening,” she said flatly. “And probably about to regret it.”
I exhaled. “I’m going to accept the Windsor family’s so-called
‘reconciliation’ offer.”
“You what?”
“Just listen. I’ll agree to talk things out-publicly, politely, all of that. But behind the scenes… I’ll leak it to Chole that Ethan’s planning to start over with me.”
Ava choked on a laugh. “You’re weaponizing Chole?”
“Yes. She’s obsessed with him. If she thinks he’s choosing me again, she’ll snap. She’ll make a scene the Windsors can’t ignore.
And if she pushes hard enough, they’ll want him to marry her- especially to avoid another scandal. Which means…”
“He’ll have to divorce you.” Ava finished, catching on.
“Yes. It’s the price of his pleasure. He had his fun. Now he can pay for it.”
There was silence. Then Ava asked, “What if he really regrets it, Olivia? What if… he actually loves you?”
I scoffed. “Then he can cry about it on Chole’s shoulder. I’m not here to play therapist anymore!”
Ava understood what she was supposed to do now. As long as I were here, she would handle the things with Chole smoothly. I then returned to me bed, hoping that this plan would work.
At exactly 7 p.m., there was a knock on the door, and a moment later, Alpha Alexander stepped in, Gai following behind with a paper bag in his hand.
