Chapter 59
The phone slipped from Ethan Sullivan's palm, landing heavily on the bed.
He collided with Evelyn Laurent unexpectedly, his forehead pressing against her slender shoulder.
In a flash, he braced himself with his elbow against the mattress.
The distance between them vanished in an instant.
When Ethan lifted his head, the tip of his nose barely grazed Evelyn's jawline.
Their breaths mingled—warm and rapid.
Evelyn's eyes burned with fury, her gaze sharp as a blade.
As for Ethan—
His heartbeat stuttered out of rhythm.
His expression remained unreadable, every trace of emotion buried beneath icy detachment.
"How long do you plan to stay like this?"
Evelyn's voice was cold enough to freeze fire.
Ethan's arm muscles tensed as he pushed himself upright, abruptly ending Harrison Whitmore's call.
On the other end of the line, Harrison scratched his head in frustration.
What on earth were Mr. Sullivan and Evelyn doing?
What was that muffled thud?
Why did the atmosphere between them sound both charged and dangerously tense?
"An accident."
Ethan took half a step back, his tone betraying nothing.
His fingers absently twitched.
That moment—
Had been too close.
Close enough to count her lashes.
It was his first time being this physically near a woman.
The faint orchid scent clinging to Evelyn's shoulders left his pulse erratic.
Evelyn sat up, radiating an aura that warned against approach.
She struggled to piece together fragmented memories.
Only after her outburst did she realize she'd been gripping Ethan's wrist in a death hold.
His fall hadn't been accidental—she'd yanked him down.
Her last clear memory ended with the bathroom lights cutting out.
Upon waking, she'd thought herself trapped in darkness, but—
The room's atmosphere turned glacial.
"My fault."
Evelyn lowered her head, her voice still rough from sleep.
Stripped of its usual edge, her tone held an unexpected softness—like feathers brushing Ethan's ear.
A flicker of surprise crossed Ethan's eyes.
Who knew this thorny rose could show vulnerability?
Without her defenses, Evelyn seemed almost... docile.
"No harm done."
The moment he spoke, his phone rang again.
Harrison's cautious voice came through: "Um... should I call back later?"