Chapter 198

The airbags exploded with a deafening pop.

Vanessa, seated beside Ethan, gasped as her phone flew up and struck her cheekbone. A sharp pain shot through her face.

She turned to Ethan, trembling. "W-what just happened?"

She had been scrolling mindlessly, oblivious to the chaos outside.

The impact left an angry red mark blooming across her forehead.

The violent jerk of the airbag snapped Ethan back to awareness.

Without hesitation, he ripped off his seatbelt and threw open the car door, plunging into the storm.

Rain lashed at his face as he sprinted toward the empty parking space where Alexander's car had been moments before.

Vanessa, bewildered, stumbled after him, her heels slipping on the wet pavement.

Ethan reached the spot, panting.

Nothing.

Alexander was gone.

The downpour soaked through his clothes as he stood there, fists clenched, staring at the vacant space where his rival had vanished.

Vanessa stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Ethan's waist from behind. "Ethan, what's going on?" she murmured against his back.

His voice was rough when he spoke. "Do you think they've been intimate?"

Vanessa stiffened, realization dawning.

So, this was about Evelyn.

Had he been so consumed by thoughts of her that he'd crashed into the flowerbed?

A sharp pang of jealousy twisted inside her as she bit down on her lower lip.

"Of course they have," she said, her tone dripping with venom. "Didn't you see how Alexander defended her tonight? He's never been with a woman before. She must have... satisfied him in ways that made him protective of her."

Each word was a blade, carving deeper into Ethan's chest.

"She doesn't even love him," he muttered, more to himself than to her. "How could she give herself to him?"

Vanessa tightened her embrace, pressing herself against him. "That's just who she is. She'll use anything—even her body—to get what she wants."

Rising onto her toes, she brushed her lips against his.

"Ethan, I'm the only one who truly loves you. I'm your wife. Please... just look at me."

Since their wedding night, Ethan had barely touched her.

At first, he'd been ill, feverish—she hadn't pushed him. But even after he recovered, he always had excuses. Late-night meetings. Business dinners.

They were married, yet he felt miles away.

Tonight, she refused to let him pull away again.

Rainwater slicked their skin as she pressed closer, her body molding against his.

Ethan's expression was hollow—until the memory of Alexander kissing Evelyn flashed through his mind.

His breath turned ragged.

Anger surged, hot and uncontrollable.

He seized Vanessa's lips in a punishing kiss, teeth scraping flesh as if he could purge his fury through the contact.

Vanessa gasped, pulling back. "Ethan—!"

His eyes burned with something dark, dangerous.

Without a word, he grabbed her wrist and dragged her toward the car.

The back door flew open.

He shoved her inside.

The impact left her dazed, her vision swimming as the door slammed shut behind them.

His belt clattered to the floor.

Vanessa's breath hitched. "Ethan, please—not like this."

The wreckage of the Bentley surrounded them—glass shards glittering like fallen stars, the headlights smashed beyond recognition.

The deployed airbags sagged limply in the front seats.

This was supposed to be their first time since the wedding.

But this?

This wasn't love.

Vanessa fought back, her nails digging into the leather seats, but Ethan overpowered her effortlessly.

No tenderness. No warning.

Just the brutal press of his body against hers as rain hammered the ruined car.

She cried out, but the storm swallowed her voice.

Ethan was relentless, his movements sharp and punishing.

He wasn't making love to his wife.

He was punishing her.

Tears blurred her vision, but the worst came at the very end.

As he shuddered against her, one name tore from his lips—

"Evelyn."

The humiliation burned deeper than any pain.

To be continued...