Chapter 2 : Birthday Party and Hidden Truths Chapter 2 : Birthday Party and Hidden Truths ( Olivia's POV ) Ethan instinctively brushed off Cassandra's hand from around his arm , causing her expression to freeze . The gesture was quick , almost panicked . " I'm also a friend of Sophie's . Is it strange that I'm here for her birthday party ? " I smiled faintly at him , keeping my voice light despite the storm brewing inside me . " No , I just thought you didn't like these kinds of gatherings , so I didn't tell you in advance , " Ethan replied , his voice strained . A wave of disdain washed over me . Did he really not tell me because of my supposed preferences , or was he hiding the fact he planned to bring someone else ? The answer was painfully obvious . Ethan's cold blue gaze swept the room as if silently demanding , " Who invited her here ? " I noticed Sophie avoiding his eyes with guilt , pretending it had nothing to do with her . So much for friendship . The woman beside Ethan stepped forward with a bright smile that didn't quite reach her eyes . " Hello , you must be Olivia Winters . I'm Cassandra Evans . You've probably heard Ethan mention me , right ? " So , this was Ethan's first love , the one who had left him heartbroken . Despite the suffocating pain in my chest - three years of genuine affection not easily erased - I masked my feelings well , lips curved in a polite greeting . " Miss Evans , I've heard so much about you . " The lie slipped easily from my lips . In truth , Ethan had barely mentioned her . Cassandra smiled sweetly yet provocatively . " Has anyone told you we actually look alike ? " At those words , Ethan's face darkened instantly . The resemblance between us was his dirty little secret , the reason he'd approached me in the first place . Now it was being laid bare for everyone to see . I glanced mockingly at him , then smiled with innocent amber eyes at Cassandra . " Oh ? Really ? I don't think so - I'm prettier . " < Chapter 2. Birthday Party and +25 Puntos > The room fell silent . Several people gasped softly . Wasn't I always the gentle , obedient type ? The one who never talked back ? The perfect , accommodating girlfriend ? My wolf , Cora , purred with satisfaction at my newfound backbone . Sophie hurried over , her face a mask of forced cheerfulness . " Let's not stand around ! Come in , have some drinks ! " Cassandra forced a smile , suppressing her annoyance , and handed over her gift . " Happy birthday , Soph . " When Sophie unwrapped it , her eyes widened . " Wow , this is the pendant I've wanted for so long . Thank you , Cassandra . " Then she opened my gift bag , and her expression shifted to confusion . " Wow ! Liv , you got me the same necklace ! " I watched as she held up two identical platinum wolf pendants , both gleaming under the party lights . What were the odds ? Suddenly , Victoria Reed , a woman in Sophie's circle who had always looked down on me , sneered loudly . " Must be fake . That platinum pendant costs more than five thousand dollars . Olivia's just a little lawyer - how could she afford something like that ? " The room fell silent , judgmental eyes converging on me . Even Ethan's expression soured . " If you're short on money , you could have told me . I could have helped with the gift … why would you- " He stopped himself , but the implication was clear to everyone . Why would you give a fake ? Though he couldn't finish the sentence , his meaning was unmistakable . I met his gaze coldly . " Do you also think mine is fake , Ethan ? " He said nothing , tacitly admitting it . Three years together , and he still thought so little of me . Sophie tried to smooth things over , her voice artificially bright . " Of course it's not fake ! We're good friends ; she wouldn't do that . Don't be so harsh . " But from her eyes , I glimpsed disdain and suspicion . My heart chilled further . I had bought the expensive pendant to thank Sophie for past kindness - after all , when I'd arrived alone in Harbor City three years ago , cut off by my family for refusing the arranged marriage with Connor Rivers , Sophie had stood up for me when others ostracized me as an outsider without wealth or connections . I once naively believed Sophie was truly different . How ridiculous . 214 < Chapter 2 : Birthday Party and . +25 Puntos Now that my father had restored my access to the family funds after my reluctant agreement to the family engagement with Connor , five thousand dollars meant nothing to me . Yet no one believed my sincerity . Ethan reached out to take the gift . " Give me the necklace . I'll buy a new birthday present for Soph to make up for this . Liv was just being thoughtless . " Sophie hesitated , caught between giving Ethan face and acknowledging the necklace as fake , which would embarrass me - and thus Ethan himself . I folded my arms coolly . " Since he wants it , just give it to him . " Sophie reluctantly handed it over , avoiding my eyes . Cassandra suddenly interjected , her voice dripping with false sympathy . " Don't blame Olivia . She meant well . " Ethan remained silent , face dark as the night sky . The tension in the room was suffocating . Someone suggested playing drinking games to break the awkwardness . Cassandra joined in with a bright laugh , clearly eager to be the center of attention . I , uninterested in their games , moved to a corner sofa and focused on my phone . After a pause , Ethan followed and sat beside me . Without looking up , I continued playing on my phone as Ethan reprimanded me quietly . " If you were short on money , you could have bought something cheaper instead of giving a fake . You know you embarrassed me in front of everyone , right ? " I closed my eyes , took a deep breath , then fixed him with a sharp amber stare . " How did I embarrass you ? The receipt is in the bag . Want me to take you to the boutique to verify it ? " Startled , Ethan rummaged through the gift bag , finding the official invoice from Lunar Jewelers of Harbor City . His eyes widened as he realized the pendant was genuine . His tone softened immediately . " Why didn't you just say you had the receipt ? " " Didn't feel like it , " I replied coldly , returning to my game . After a moment , he muttered an apology . " Sorry , I misunderstood you earlier . " I ignored him completely , focusing intently on my phone screen . Ethan fell silent , but from the corner of my eye , I could see his gaze drifting unconsciously to the crowd - more precisely , to Cassandra . When I finished my game and looked up , I caught him staring at Cassandra , who was being 3/4 < Chapter 2 : Birthday Party and . +25 Puntos > coaxed into drinking wine by Sophie and Victoria . His eyes followed her every movement , filled with concern and something deeper . Ethan initially restrained himself , but when Cassandra reached her fourth glass , he abruptly stood and strode over , snatching the wine from her hand . " Your stomach's sensitive to alcohol . Are you trying to make yourself sick ? " His voice was sharp with worry . Everyone fell silent at his sudden outburst . Cassandra's cheeks flushed with anger and shyness . " Why do you care ? " " You're not drinking anymore , " he said coldly , glaring at the others . " Try forcing her again and see what happens . " The crowd avoided his eyes , intimidated by Ethan's authority . No one dared challenge the Grey pack's future Alpha . I watched this display with a mocking smile . Three years together , and he had never once shown such concern for my wellbeing . Yet here he was , publicly fussing over Cassandra after just days of her return . As Cassandra tried to snatch back her glass , Ethan held it high out of reach . She lost her balance and stumbled into his arms . He instinctively steadied her with his other hand . " Careful . After all these years , you still haven't improved your balance . " His voice was soft , intimate , filled with shared history . Cassandra , cheeks rosy , gazed up at him and pouted . " Ethan , you're really annoying . " Laughter and teasing erupted around them . The chemistry between them was undeniable , their connection obvious to everyone in the room . Just as Ethan was about to respond , he unexpectedly met my icy , piercing gaze . Comentarios