Betrayed By My Ex, I Became The Billionaire's Obsession

Chapter Two: Embers of Lust

The ballroom’s chandeliers cast golden light, but my world feels like it’s teetering on a knife’s edge. Ethan Blackwood’s hand is warm around mine. His cobalt eyes locked on me as if the gawking crowd doesn’t exist. My whispered “yes” to his proposal still echoes in my ears, a reckless leap I can’t undo. My phone burns in my clutch, that chilling text—You’ve made a dangerous choice, Lulu—searing my mind. Lulu. A name no one should know, yet someone does, and they’re here, watching.

“Lily,” Ethan says, his voice a low rumble that pulls me back. “You’re trembling.”

I force a smile, my heart hammering. “Just… overwhelmed. You don’t propose to someone every day.”

His lips curve, a mix of amusement and something deeper, something that makes my breath catch. “No, I don’t. But for you, I’d do it a thousand times.” He steps closer, his scent—sandalwood and steel—wrapping around me like a shield. “You’re safe with me.”

Safe. The word feels like a lie with that text lurking in my mind. I glance at the crowd, their whispers a dull roar. James and Claire stand frozen across the room, his face pale, her blue eyes blazing with fury. I want to believe Ethan, but the weight of their stares, the mystery of his knowing my name, and that damned nickname make safety feel like a fantasy.

Before I can respond, Claire’s heels click toward us, her red lips twisted in a sneer. “Ethan, really?” Her voice is loud, drawing every eye. “This is a joke, right? She’s a nobody. A washed-up housewife who can’t even keep her husband.”

The crowd gasps, and my cheeks burn. I open my mouth, but Ethan’s grip tightens, his presence a storm cloud. “Careful, Claire,” he says, his tone icy, lethal. “You’re speaking to my fiancée. Insult her again, and your father’s influence won’t save you.”

Claire falters, but her smirk returns, venomous. “Fiancée? You’ll tire of her in a week. She’s nothing but a pity project.”

“Enough!” My voice surprises me, sharp and steady. I step forward, meeting her gaze. “You don’t get to define me, Claire. Not anymore.”

Her eyes narrow, but Ethan’s low chuckle cuts through the tension. “That’s my Lily,” he murmurs, his hand sliding to the small of my back, warm and possessive. The touch sends a shiver through me, equal parts thrill and confusion. How does he make me feel so seen, so wanted, when we’ve just met?

James pushes past Claire, his slicked-back hair disheveled, desperation in his green eyes. “Lily, don’t do this,” he pleads, his voice cracking. “You’re making a mistake. Ethan’s… he’s dangerous. You don’t know him.”

I laugh, bitter and raw. “Dangerous? You served me divorce papers with her on your arm, James. You don’t get to warn me about anyone.”

The crowd murmurs, and James’s face reddens. “I made a mistake, okay? We can fix this. Don’t throw away five years for him.”

Ethan’s hand tenses on my back, but his voice is calm, cutting. “You threw her away, Carter. Now step back before I ensure you lose more than your wife.”

James flinches, but Claire grabs his arm, hissing, “Let her crash and burn, darling. She’ll regret this.”

Their words sting, but Ethan’s touch grounds me. He leans in, his breath warm against my ear. “Let me take you somewhere quiet,” he says, soft but urgent. “Away from this circus.”

I nod, my throat tight, and he guides me through the crowd, their stares trailing us like vultures. We slip into a dimly lit hallway, the gala’s noise fading behind velvet curtains. Alone, the air feels charged, intimate. Ethan’s hand lingers on mine, and I turn to face him, his scar catching the light, making him look both fierce and vulnerable.

“Why me, Ethan?” I ask, my voice trembling. “You don’t know me. Why propose like that, in front of everyone?”

His eyes soften, but there’s a flicker of something—guilt? Secrets? “I know you better than you think, Lily.” He steps closer, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from my face, sending sparks down my spine. “I’ve seen you fight for someone who didn’t deserve you. I’ve seen your strength, your heart. I want you by my side, not just tonight, but always.”

His words are a melody, pulling me in, but doubt gnaws at me. “You knew my name before we met,” I say, stepping back. “And you’re not surprised by any of this—James, Claire, the gala. What aren’t you telling me?”

Ethan’s jaw tightens, and for a moment, he’s silent, his eyes searching mine. “There are things I’ll explain,” he says finally, his voice low. “But not here, not now. Trust me, Lily. I’ll never hurt you.”

Trust him? My heart aches to believe him, but that text—Lulu—screams danger. Before I can press further, a shadow moves at the end of the hallway, and my pulse spikes. A woman steps into the light, her raven hair sleek, her blue eyes eerily like Ethan’s. She’s older, her tailored trench coat giving her a commanding air, but her smile is cold, predatory.

“Ethan,” she says, her voice smooth as silk. “Introducing your new toy already?”

Ethan stiffens, his hand dropping from mine. “Elena,” he says, his tone clipped. “What are you doing here?”

My heart races. Elena? The recent news flashes in my mind—Ethan’s estranged sister, a wildcard. She ignores him, her gaze locking onto me, sharp and knowing. “Lily Carter,” she says, my name a weapon on her lips. “You’re in over your head, darling. Did he tell you about the fire yet?”

The fire. The word hits like a punch, and Ethan’s face darkens. “Leave her out of this, Elena,” he growls, stepping between us.

But Elena’s smile widens, chilling me to the bone. “Oh, she’ll find out soon enough. You can’t protect her from the truth—or from them.” She glances at my clutch, and my stomach drops. Does she know about the texts?

“Enough,” Ethan snaps, but Elena’s already retreating, her heels echoing as she vanishes into the shadows. My chest tightens, fear and desire warring inside me. Ethan turns to me, his eyes pleading. “Lily, don’t listen to her. She’s trying to hurt me, not you.”

“Then tell me the truth,” I demand, my voice shaking. “What fire? Who’s ‘them’? And why does she know me?”

He hesitates, and in that moment, my phone buzzes again. My hands tremble as I pull it out, Ethan’s gaze heavy on me. The screen glows with a new text, no photo this time, just words that make my blood run cold.

Ask him about Lulu’s promise, Lily. Or you’ll burn like they did.

I look up, my breath hitching. Ethan’s watching me, his face unreadable, but his scar seems to pulse in the dim light. “What is it?” he asks, stepping closer.

I clutch the phone, my voice barely a whisper. “Who did you make a promise to, Ethan? And why are they calling me Lulu?”

His eyes widen, a flash of fear breaking his composure, and I know—he’s hiding something that could destroy us both.