Seven Years a Shadow: The Stand-In's Escape novel Chapter 11

I turned around to see Ethan stepping forward. 

He reached for my hand, his warm palm wrapping around my cold fingers. 

He gave it a light squeeze, as if to say, Don't worry, I'm here.

"Charlotte has nothing to do with you anymore." 

Lucas's gaze was sharp as ice.

"And who exactly are you to say that?" 

"Obviously, someone who's pursuing her." 

Ethan let out a small chuckle.

"Seven years ago, the moment I saw her, I knew she wasn't doing well."

"And now you suddenly remember she exists?" 

"If you cared so much, why didn't you act sooner?" 

"That's none of your business," Lucas said coldly. 

"Then she's none of yours either. Leave."

"And don't ever come near her again." 

"Ethan Johnson." 

Lucas said his name slowly, like a snake hissing through its fangs. 

"You think just because you're a Johnson, I wouldn't dare touch you?" 

My stomach clenched. 

I knew what Lucas was capable of.

He never showed mercy to his enemies. 

And for the first time, I realized—I didn't want Ethan to get hurt. 

"I can—mmph…" 

Before I could say anything, Ethan covered my mouth, shaking his head in exasperation. 

"I'm not that useless."

"Let me protect you, okay? Don't interfere." 

Lucas's glare could cut glass. 

But in the end, he left without laying a hand on Ethan. 

I was left standing there, faced with Ethan's amused smirk, wishing the ground would just swallow me whole. 

"So, Charlotte… can I take this to mean you don't hate me, at least?" 

"…Yeah." I nodded.  

Ethan didn't push me to admit I liked him.

He said this was enough for now. 

"You used to hold me when I was scared."

"You sang to me when I was sick…" 

"Noah. It's over." 

I spoke gently but firmly. 

"It's not safe for you to be out here alone."

"Call someone from the Miller house to come get you." 

Noah's eyes turned red. 

This time, I didn't look back. 

Ethan pulled me into his arms, his hand resting on my back. 

"Charlotte, if it hurts, you can cry." 

I pushed him away with a scoff. 

"I've already cried enough."

"From now on, I'm going to spend every day smiling." 

"Alright." He smiled back.

"Then I'll spend every day with you."