Faking His Death Chapter 07

Faking His Death Chapter 07

I didn’t want to deal with him.

I grabbed Ryan’s sleeve and tried to leave, but Ethan caught up in a few long strides and seized my wrist.

“Lena,” he demanded, “did you hear me?”

I turned back and yanked free, my face blank.

“Owen,” I said, “what right do you have to question me?”

Ethan flicked a quick look at Brooke.

“You’re my sister-in-law,” he snapped. “Of course I have a right. My brother hasn’t been gone that long, and you’re already being all over another man. Do you have any shame?”

I didn’t bother listening to his excuses.

I tried to step away, but he stepped in front of Ryan and looked down at him.

“You know she’s been married, right?” Ethan said coldly. “That kid he’s holding is her daughter with her husband.”

“A used-up single mom and you still want her?” he added, cruel and loud on purpose.

Then he leaned in, voice thick with malice.

“I’m her husband’s brother, and I look just like him,” he said. “She’s been treating me like a replacement, so you—”

Ryan cut him off, his tone sharp and controlled.

“She’s your sister-in-law,” he said. “Is that how you speak to her, with zero respect?”

“And I don’t need you to tell me who Lena is,” Ryan added. “We took the same night classes. I’ll judge her for myself.”

Ethan’s face darkened.

“So you’re an old friend,” he sneered. “What, you two had something going on even back then?”

He swung his glare at me, voice rising.

“Lena, you married my… brother, and you still dare to betray him?” he spat. “You get bored and chase something new that fast?”

I couldn’t hold back.

I walked up and slapped him hard, then smiled like ice.

“Betray him?” I said. “My marriage is none of your business. You’re an outsider here, and you don’t know a damn thing.”

Then I leaned into the lie that would gag him every time.

“Last night I dreamed Ethan came to me,” I said evenly. “He said he was sorry, and he wanted me to find a good man and live again.”

“And he said you’re an animal,” I finished, “and I should stay far away from your whole family.”

Ethan blurted, “That’s impossible. It’s all fake.”

His face tightened with anger, but every time I prefaced my words with “my husband said,” Ethan had nothing he could say back.

Brooke stood off to the side, shot Ethan an dissatisfied look, then glared at me before hooking her arm through his.

“Babe, let’s go,” she said, sweet and sharp at the same time. “The doctor said I need more rest. Standing around isn’t good for the baby.”

She pushed her belly forward on purpose.

“Your mom’s waiting for me to give her a big, healthy grandson,” Brooke added, eyes cutting to me. “Not like some people who couldn’t produce a boy and still tried to sponge off their in-laws.”

Ethan’s expression twitched.

He looked like he wanted to say something, but Brooke tugged him away, and he went with her.

After they left, Ryan frowned.

“Your husband’s brother looks like a real piece of trash,” he said. “If he gives you trouble, tell me. I’ll help.”

I gave him a small, noncommittal smile and thanked him anyway.

I just didn’t expect things to turn so fast.

A few days later, I was walking home from work along a narrow side path when someone clamped a hand over my mouth and yanked me into a small stand of trees.

My heart lurched. I fought hard and bit down on the hand gripping me until the person sucked in a sharp breath.

“Lena,” a voice hissed, “it’s me. Listen.”

It was Ethan.

He held my wrist in a tight grip and spoke low.

“I’ve thought it over,” he said. “I’ll forgive your mistakes, and I’ll let you come home. I’ll handle my mom, so stop being stubborn and come back with me.”

A laugh almost slipped out of me.

I forced it down and looked at him like he was nothing.

“When did I ever say I wanted to go back?” I asked. “I want you people out of my sight.”

Ethan’s mouth tightened, irritation flashing across his face.

He stared at me without blinking for a few seconds, and then his voice turned strange.

“Lena,” he said, “you know who I am, don’t you?”

“I’m Ethan Callahan,” he confessed. “The one who died was my younger brother.”

He watched my face, searching for cracks.

“Are you mad I kept it from you because I was taking care of Brooke?” he asked. “She’s pregnant. She can’t handle stress, so I had no choice.”

“But you’re the one I really care about,” he said. “Come back with me.”

“We’ll raise Nora together,” he promised. “You won’t suffer. Okay?”