BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET

Chapter 5: Liana’s Charm

"I know you don’t want to hear it, Ethan, but I need you to understand something."

Like a velvet sword, Liana's speech sliced through the tension. Her voice was quiet, almost personal, yet it had a savage edge that made my stomach turn.

I couldn't force myself to look at Ethan. Even though he seemed to be a million miles away, I could feel his presence beside me. I could just feel the change in the atmosphere between them as his gaze shifted to Liana. Despite all that had just transpired, Liana's voice had a magnetic quality that drew him in like a force field.

I was unable to view. I made myself take a step back, and my throat constricted. I had to breathe and ponder.

Liana wasn't finished, though.

"Ethan, I know you're conflicted." I am aware that you are having difficulty understanding everything. Her tone made my skin crawl since it was so polished and well-practiced. You've always known who you belong with, though. You've always understood that I'm the only person who can genuinely bring you joy.

She spoke with a confidence that broke my heart, and her words were as sweet as honey. I was aware of her strategy. I had previously witnessed it and experienced its pain as a mere performer on stage. Now, though? Ethan found himself standing on the wrong side of what seemed to be a shifting planet.

Torn between the two of us, I saw Ethan's gaze dart at Liana and then back to me. I could see it in the way he shuffled on his feet and tightened his teeth. He seemed to be trapped in a tug-of-war, but I could tell who was winning.

No one ever knew how to play this game as well as Liana.

As she stepped closer to Ethan, she softened her tone and added, "I'm not saying it's going to be easy, Ethan." However, I'm requesting your trust, to let go of everything, even her, that is preventing you from moving forward.

Her forced smile barely covered the anger in her eyes as they darted toward me.

My fists were clinched at my sides. She no longer even made an effort to conceal it. She seemed to be inviting me to challenge her.

For a little moment, Ethan gave me a sidelong glance. It was different from the regretful, apologetic expression I had seen in his eyes only hours before. No, this was a very different matter. Something chilly.

"I..." The world seemed to pause for a moment as his voice wavered. "I'm at a loss for what to do."

Liana didn't hold off until he was done. She took a step forward, bringing them closer, and put her hand on his arm, her fingers remaining there long enough to make me uneasy. Ethan's body tightened, and I could see how his muscles responded to her touch. She was asserting herself.

She whispered, "You don't have to make a decision just yet." But know that I'm always available to you. Ethan, I've always been here.

As I watched them, my breath seized in my throat. I couldn't take my eyes off of Liana's flawless accuracy as she drew him steadily toward her with her web of seduction. She found it nearly too simple.

Liana possessed a charm that I had never been able to match. She has always had the ability to command attention just by entering a room and speaking. She had the world at her feet, while I stood in the background, clumsy and uncertain.

And now she was doing it once more.

I couldn't allow this to occur. Never again.

I exclaimed, my voice shaking with a mix of despair and rage, "You don't have to do this." "To make a point, you don't have to destroy anything."

Liana turned to face me with a completely neutral expression, but I could see a glimmer of laughter in her eyes. Her tone was almost patronizing as she continued, "I'm not destroying anything, Amara." "I'm just taking what's rightfully mine."

The words struck their mark, and I felt my chest constrict. She twisted the knife in the most purposeful manner, as if she were applying salt to an open sore.

With his gaze flickering uneasily, Ethan looked between us. "Liana... I don't—"

She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and interrupted him with a quiet laugh. "Ethan, you don't need to give her any explanations." I have a deeper understanding of you than she ever will.

I wanted to yell at her and tell her that she was mistaken. That I knew him better than she did. That what we still had, what we had, was genuine. However, the words refused to come.

Instead, Liana turned back to Ethan, and I stood there, powerless. Despite the tenderness of her grin, there was a sinister side to it. Despite his surprise, Ethan fell straight into her trap as she set it.

Her voice was brimming with fake sincerity as she purred, "I just want to make you happy, Ethan." And I will. I am able to fulfill all of your desires.

His eyes briefly closed as her hand moved down his arm, her fingertips grazing his flesh, as if he was enjoying the sensation. I resisted showing her how much it impacted me, even though I could feel the bile rising in my throat and the hurt and jealousy tearing at me.

With his voice hardly audible, Ethan murmured, "Liana, I don't know what to believe anymore." "I am unsure about my ability to trust myself, or you.

Then have faith in me, Ethan. I will not be leaving. She mumbled something too soft for me to hear, leaning in and brushing her lips on his ear. However, I didn't have to listen to it. I could see how it affected him. His breath caught as his whole body stiffened.

The last blow.

The earth felt like it was slipping away from me.

I had to take action. She was spinning a web around him, and I had to force him to realize what was going on.

However, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the tension before I could muster the courage to speak.

"Ethan?"

When I turned and saw him, my heart fell.

I had been trying to avoid him, and now it was him. It was the one person I prayed would never appear.

Ethan's dad.

What's the worst? He was grinning.

Ethan whispered in a strained voice, "Dad." "What are you?"

His smile broadened as he interrupted, "I see you two are... having a conversation." All right. I wanted to confirm that everyone was in agreement.

Something in Liana's eyes glinted that I couldn't identify, but it made me shiver. Her triumph was heavy and oppressive in the air.

I was clueless about what was going on now, but I was positive that the game had shifted.

Furthermore, I wasn't sure if I was prepared for the new regulations.