GAME OVER ETHAN: HER FINAL MOVE

CHAPTER FOUR

ANASTASIA'S POV

"Baby, where have you been?"

Ethan's voice greeted me as I stepped into the living room, where he was sitting comfortably on the sofa. I placed my keys on the console, and the rattling sound made him turn towards me.

"Where else?" I asked, glancing at him as I dropped my bag.

He got up and walked closer, his eyes searching my face. "What's wrong? You don't look yourself."

I forced a smile. "How was the trip with your boss?"

"It was fine," he replied, adjusting his shirt. His phone beeped, but he ignored it and slipped it back into his pocket.

"What about Mia?" I asked, folding my arms across my chest.

He raised an eyebrow. "I should be the one asking you that, Ana. She was at home when I left for the trip."

I nodded slowly, watching his face. "When I got back from the company, she wasn't home."

Ethan shrugged. "Mia is an adult. Maybe she went to see a friend or a guy."

I lowered my eyes briefly before looking at him again. "I just want her to feel comfortable around me."

"Of course she does," he assured me, reaching for my hand. I gave him a small smile before pulling away and heading upstairs.

Once inside the bedroom, I settled on the bed and brought out my medical files. I was still thinking about contacting my lawyer to arrange the divorce papers when the door opened.

I quickly gathered the documents and pushed them into my bag. Ethan walked in, his eyes immediately settling on the papers I had been holding.

"What are those?" he asked.

"Work documents," I replied, zipping my bag.

He sat beside me and brushed his hand against my arm. "You need to rest, Ana. I want us to try for a child."

A laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it. I quickly looked away when he turned towards me.

"What's funny?" he asked.

"Nothing," I replied, shaking my head.

He shifted closer, his expression turning serious. "I don't like the fact that you overwork yourself. That's why you should hand over your automobile company to me at the inauguration."

I stared at him for a moment before nodding. "Sure. I'm actually thinking about doing that."

"Really?" His eyebrows lifted, and he looked almost surprised by my agreement.

"Yes, really," I answered, holding back the smile threatening to appear on my face. You'll be receiving divorce papers instead.

I slipped the files into my bag and placed it beside the bed. Ethan moved closer and ran his fingers through my hair, but I had to fight the urge to move away.

As I turned towards the other side of the bed, I felt his body press against mine. My fingers curled into the bedsheet as I tried to hide my disgust.

I wondered why Dominic hadn't followed through with the plan as quickly as I had expected. That thought occupied my mind until Ethan turned me around to face him.

"You're so beautiful, Ana," he whispered, brushing his fingers against my cheek. "I need you."

I stared at him without responding, my expression giving away nothing. His hand moved towards my waist, but all I could think about was the photograph of him proposing to Mia.

Now that I thought about it, Ethan had barely shown interest in our intimacy since Mia came into our home two years ago. He only seemed interested when she wasn't around, and I had never paid much attention to the pattern.

I swallowed as the memories came rushing back. Ana, I thought you were smarter than this.

How could someone like me have been fooled for two whole years? I looked at Ethan as he leaned closer, wondering how I had ever mistaken his lies for love.

His lips moved towards mine, and I turned my face slightly. Just as he was about to kiss me, his phone rang.

Thank goodness!

Ethan made no effort to move away, so I glanced towards the bedside table. "Your phone."

"That can wait," he muttered, leaning closer again.

"What if it's important?" I asked, placing a hand against his chest. "You can have me later."

He tried to kiss me again, but I turned my head, leaving his lips against my hair instead. After a moment, he finally pulled away and reached for his phone.

"Who's calling?" I asked, pretending to be interested.

"My boss."

He answered and pressed the phone to his ear. I watched his expression change as he listened, and I couldn't help the small smile that appeared on my lips.

When he ended the call, he let out a frustrated curse and ran a hand through his hair. "What the hell?"

I tilted my head. "What's wrong?"

"I've been demoted!" he exclaimed, throwing his free hand into the air. "That Harrington guy must be out of his mind. Why the hell would he demote me from Executive Manager to Assistant Manager?"

I pressed my lips together, fighting the urge to laugh. So Dominic had finally done it.

"I can't believe that jerk!" Ethan continued, pacing around the bedroom. "He's cold, arrogant, and treats his employees like slaves."

I picked up my phone from the bed and opened Dominic's chat. While Ethan continued ranting, I typed out a quick message.

How come you finally agreed?

I watched the screen until his reply appeared. My eyebrows drew together as I read his words.

It's not because of you.

I stared at the message for a moment, and something stirred in my chest. I hadn't expected that response, but I quickly locked my phone and pushed the feeling aside.

At least Ethan had been demoted, and that was what mattered. I didn't care whether Dominic had done it because of me or for his own reasons.

The doorbell suddenly rang, making me drop my phone onto the bed. Ethan stopped pacing, and we both headed downstairs.

I reached the door first and pulled it open. My eyes immediately landed on Mia, who was standing outside with a small child holding tightly to her dress.

"Whose child is this?" I asked, staring at the little boy.

Ethan quickly walked towards Mia and lifted the child into his arms. I stood still, watching the way he held him as several questions rushed through my mind.

"I'm sorry, baby," Ethan said, turning towards me. "I didn't tell you Mia had a child, but the baby's father is dead now."

Mia nodded, adjusting her dress as she stepped inside. I looked at the little boy in Ethan's arms, wondering how many more things I was going to discover about my husband.

"Hope you don't mind, Ana," Mia said, giving me a small smile. "I couldn't bring the child in because I didn't want you to feel bad about not having one yourself."

Her words hit me like a slap, and my fingers tightened around the edge of the door. Of course, she had found another way to rub my inability to conceive in my face.

I slowly released the door and stepped aside. "It's fine, Mia."

She seemed pleased with my response, while Ethan continued holding the little boy. I forced a smile and looked directly at the child.

"So, how old is he?"

"I'm three," the little boy answered before either of them could speak.

My smile slowly faded. Three?

I looked at Ethan, then at Mia, as the number settled in my mind. If the child was three, then Ethan and Mia's affair had started before he married me.

I nodded slowly, keeping my eyes on the two of them. They had been deceiving me for much longer than I had realised.

"Don't feel bad about it, Ana," Ethan said, shifting the child in his arms. "Just keep taking the daily doses, okay? Hope you haven't missed any."

I looked at him and forced another smile. "No, I haven't."

My eyes remained fixed on Ethan, but my thoughts were far from what he was saying. You and Mia have been feeding me those harmful substances for two years.

I lowered my gaze, hiding the anger building inside me. Neither of them had any idea how much I already knew.