Filed to story: Watch Me Win Alpha (Olivia & Ethan)
“Don’t try. I am not interested in women.” Alexander glanced at
Ava, then turned to Ethan.
Ethan opened his mouth, his fangs faintly glinting in his parted lips-his anger surfacing. He looked at Alexander, as though daring him.
Ava laid a hand on his arm. “Ethan, this isn’t your fight tonight.
Let’s go.””
He looked between them, rage simmering. “I’m not done here.”
Alexander shook his head. “You are done. Come!””
Ethan glowered, but he didn’t move. I felt Ava’s eyes on me- warm yet hesitant.
She squeezed my hand. “Come on. Let’s get you home.””
I watched Ethan once more, torn, then strode past him. I climbed into Ava’s car as Alexander pulled Ethan toward his waiting car.
I didn’t look back, but I heard the low rumble of their engines starting, then fading down the dark street.
The Next Morning
I woke to soft sunlight slipping through the blinds and the distant hum of a quiet street outside. My body ached-especially my leg-but the scent of warm scrambled eggs and toast drifted through the air, cutting through the fog of sleep. I blinked and sat up slowly, surprised by the calm.
A tray sat on the nightstand with a neatly prepared breakfast- avocado toast, scrambled eggs, and a cup of black coffee. Beside it, a small folded note with Ava’s handwriting:Eat well. I had to step out. Lock the doors. Don’t text back if you’re tired-just rest.
I smiled faintly. Of course, she would think of everything.
I picked up the toast and took a bite, chewing slowly. It was warm, comforting-but my thoughts were far from settled. The peace of the morning was deceptive.
I thought about Amelia and Chole. The way Chole had spiraled lately, and how unpredictable Amelia had become ever since I started fighting back. Could the two of them be working together again?
I frowned, chewing on the thought. Chole was too far go. emotionally-on the verge of a full breakdown. Even Amelia wouldn’t be stupid enough to throw her lot in with someone that unstable. But still… something felt off. The kind of off you feel in your chest before a storm. needed to stay sharp.
I pushed the tray aside and reached for my phone, quickly dialing Miguel. My finger hesitated over the call button for a second, then pressed.
He picked up before the first ring finished.
“Olivia,” he said, calm and clipped.
“I’m safe,” I said. “Just thought I should check in. I’m at Ava’s place.”
There was a small pause before he chuckled. “I know.”‘”
“You do?”
“Of course I do,” he said. “Nothing hides away from me.”
I laughed. “You sure do.”
“Stay safe and heal fast.”
“Thanks, Miguel,” I said softly and started sipping my remaining coffee.
I was still clutching my half-empty coffee cup when my phone buzzed again. This time, it was Rose.
“Hey,” I answered, my voice low.
There was no preamble. “You need to sit down for this.”
I paused, feeling my chest tighten. “What happened?”
Rose exhaled through the line, the sound more tense than usual “The Hawthrone family just held a press conference. It was
Amelia-she’s the one who spoke.”
I stood, pacing toward the window. “What did she say?”
“She claimed you seduced Ethan,” Rose said bluntly. “That you knew he was engaged to Chole and you still pushed your way into the family just to marry rich. Said you used ‘improper means’ to get him to the altar.”‘
I blinked. “Improper means?”
“She didn’t stop there.” Rose’s voice grew tighter. “She said you were greedy, demanding money from Ethan throughout your marriage. Claimed that while he was on business trips, you were having an affair-with a stranger.”
I didn’t even know what to say. I stood frozen by the window, watching the clouds drift outside.
“And to back it all up,” Rose continued, “they released
‘evidence.”
“What evidence?”
“A screenshot of a text message from your number asking for a large sum of money. A photo of you in a hotel hallway with some unknown guy. An audio clip of you demanding fifty percent of the Hawthrone Group. And-get this-a copy of Ethan and Chole’s engagement document from ten years ago.
I stared at my reflection in the glass, hollow-eyed.
Rose sounded furious. “They’re trying to paint you as some scheming gold-digger who broke up two innocent lovebirds.
“I-“My throat felt dry. “This is insane.”
“You think?” Rose snapped. “I’m shaking. I almost smashed my laptop when I saw the news alert!”
There was silence for a second before she added, “They’re trying to clear Chole’s name by burying yours.”
I pressed my hand against the cool windowpane. “The engagement document… that’s real. It’s from before I even met him.”
“They’re twisting everything. And you know the worst part?”
Rose’s voice cracked with emotion. “People are eating it up.
Hashtags are trending. ‘Poor Chole! ‘Homewrecker Luna. I can’t even read the comments.”
I bit my bottom lip, trying to suppress the emotions boiling inside me. “It doesn’t matter what the truth is, does it? If enough people believe a lie… it becomes the truth.”
“No,” Rose said firmly. “You’re not going to start thinking like that. You’ve been through hell and kept your dignity intact.
You’re not going to give that up now!”
I sank onto the edge of the bed, fingers trembling. “I don’t even know how to defend myself against all of it. It’s like they wrote the whole story in advance, and I’m just playing the villain.”
“Then rewrite the script,” Rose shot back. “Do what you did at the charity gala. Hit back-loud and clear. You have the real evidence, Olivia. The recordings. The bruises. The timelines.”
