GAME OVER ETHAN: HER FINAL MOVE

CHAPTER TWO

ANASTASIA'S POV

"Ana," Dominic answered almost immediately.

"Where are you?" I asked, shifting the phone against my ear.

"Went out to chill," he replied casually.

I glanced at the clock before walking towards the staircase. "I'd like us to meet tomorrow, and I need you to make arrangements for Ethan's demotion."

There was a brief silence on the other end. "We can discuss that when we meet, Mrs. Carter."

"Fine. I'll see you tomorrow."

I ended the call and hurried upstairs to the bedroom. Opening the drawer beside my bed, I picked up the remaining supplements Ethan had bought for me.

I turned one of the bottles in my hand, studying the label. I couldn't explain why I suddenly suspected them, but I wasn't going to ignore the feeling.

That night, I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Ethan on one knee in front of Mia, followed by the doctor's words flashing through my mind.

The following morning, I dragged myself out of bed and sat at the edge of the mattress. My gaze settled on the hospital file lying on the bedside table, and my fingers curled around the bedsheet.

Six months.

I picked up my phone and noticed several missed calls from Ethan. Another call came in almost immediately, but I declined it and tossed the phone onto the bed.

A sarcastic chuckle escaped my lips. "You really know how to play the game, Ethan, but so do I."

I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. As the water ran over my face, I lifted my head and stared at myself in the mirror.

Three years of marriage, and I had trusted a man who had been deceiving me for two. I wiped the water from my face and reached for my towel.

After getting dressed, I picked up my Dior bag and headed downstairs. I grabbed the supplements before leaving the house, determined to find out exactly what I had been taking.

I drove my Ferrari to the hospital and headed straight to the gynaecology department. When I found the doctor, I placed the bottles on her desk.

"I need these tested," I said.

She glanced at the bottles before looking at me. "Do you have any idea what they contain?"

"That's why I'm here," I replied, pushing them closer to her.

She called the laboratory attendant and handed over the supplements. After explaining that the results would be ready later that day, she gave me a time to return.

I thanked her and left the office. Once I got into my car, I pulled out my phone and dialled Dominic's number.

"Have you arrived at the office?" he asked when he answered.

"Not yet. I need your address."

He sent it to me shortly afterwards, and I followed the directions on my phone. Although our families had known each other for years, I had only ever visited his late parents' home.

Since getting married, we had kept our distance, and I had rarely visited him. I wondered what his reaction would be when he heard what I had to say.

When I arrived, I stepped out of my car and walked towards the entrance. The moment I entered, my eyes moved across the spotless interior, taking in the elegant furnishings and spacious living area.

Everything about the place spoke of wealth, from the expensive furniture to the carefully arranged decorations. I had expected something impressive, but his home was even more exquisite than I had imagined.

I walked further inside and spotted Dominic standing with his back to me. He wore a pair of loose trousers, and his slightly damp hair fell carelessly over his head.

His broad shoulders and well-defined back caught my attention before I could look away. I pressed my lips together and shook my head.

Damn, I was married.

Then I remembered the photograph on my phone, and a small, humourless smile touched my lips. Apparently, my husband hadn't allowed marriage to stop him from entertaining another woman.

"Anastasia Whitmore," Dominic called as he turned around. "To what do I owe this meeting?"

"At least offer me a seat before asking questions," I replied, forcing a smile.

He gestured towards the sofa, and I settled onto it. I clasped my fingers together, trying to ignore the strange nervousness creeping into my chest.

Dominic had been my childhood friend long before he became the CEO of Harrington Corporation. I knew he would hardly refuse anything I asked of him, but asking him to demote my own husband was another matter.

He snapped his fingers twice, drawing my attention back to him. "You seem distracted, Ana."

I straightened in my seat. "I want Ethan demoted."

His eyebrows lifted slightly. "Demoted?"

"He's currently the executive manager of your company, but I want him stripped of that position and given a lower one." I held his gaze, making sure he understood I wasn't joking.

Dominic let out a low chuckle and leaned back. "Why? Last time I checked, Ethan was your husband, so why would you want me to demote him?"

"Because I asked you to."

"And why should I do that?"

"Because I was the one who asked you to employ him in the first place," I reminded him. "Dominic, this isn't a request; it's an order."

He studied my face for a moment, his expression turning serious. "I can't do that."

I let out a slow breath and leaned forward. "And why can't you?"

"I can't just demote a staff member who knows his job without a reason," he explained. "I need something more than your personal request."

I rose from the sofa and picked up my bag. "You'll get your reason during my automobile company's inauguration."

Dominic's eyes shifted towards the invitation in my hand. I held it out to him, and he finally reached forward to collect it.

He glanced at the card before looking back at me. "You're still keeping me in suspense, I see."

I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder. "You'll understand everything soon enough."

"See you at the inauguration, Mr. Harrington," I said with a smile.

I turned and walked out before he could ask another question. Once I reached my car, I slipped into the driver's seat and placed both hands on the steering wheel.

For a moment, I sat there staring through the windshield. I had more important things to deal with than explaining myself to Dominic before I was ready.

The doctor's appointment came back to mind, and I checked the time on my phone. The results should be ready by now.

I started the engine and drove back to the hospital. I wanted answers, even if I wasn't sure I was prepared to hear them.

When I returned to the gynaecology department, the doctor welcomed me into her office. She motioned towards the chair, and I sat down, placing my bag beside my feet.

"Mrs. Carter," she began, looking through the documents on her desk. "We've completed the tests."

I folded my hands in my lap. "Be frank with me, Doctor. What other blow or discovery could possibly shake me at this point?"

She paused, then looked directly at me. "Those substances are extremely harmful, and I need to know how long you've been taking them."

A faint smile appeared on my face, though my fingers had begun to press against each other. "They were supposed to help me conceive."

"Mrs. Carter, these substances can cause serious reproductive complications, including infertility." She placed the test results in front of me, her expression making it clear that she wasn't taking the matter lightly.

I lowered my eyes to the documents. So, all those months I had trusted Ethan to help me become a mother, he had been giving me something harmful.

I swallowed and pushed the thought aside. "It's all right, Doctor; just give me the files."

She handed them over, and I collected the documents before standing. I wasn't ready to break down in front of her, especially when I still had so much to settle.

"Please take care of yourself, Mrs. Carter," she said as I reached the door.

I nodded without turning around. "I will."

Outside her office, I stopped and opened the file again. The words blurred for a moment before I blinked and forced myself to focus.

Six months.

Approximately 180 days.

I had 178 days left to make my final move.