Reborn to Rule: From Doormat to Dynasty

"Nothing happened between us," she said honestly.

Liam visibly let out a breath of relief. Seeing Ethan still looking pissed, his expression dark and unreadable, he quickly added, "Yeah, bro, she just got out-I was just here to welcome her back, that's all."

Welcome her back? What, by dragging her into bed?

Seriously, could he be more obvious?

"But, if you'd shown up just a little later, maybe something really would've happened," she added calmly, like it was no big deal.

The room suddenly felt suffocating. Ethan's hand gripped the wheelchair handle so tightly his knuckles turned white, eyes locked on Celeste's indifferent face. He couldn't believe she just came clean like that. So straightforward? Really?

Liam's face turned ghostly pale. He practically jumped up. "What the hell are you saying?!"

"Wasn't that what you just said? That nothing beats dumplings when it comes to food, and nothing beats a sister-in-law when it comes to fun? You said since your brother's crippled, you'd 'perform the husbandly duties' for him. You even promised to treat me well if I gave in-what's the matter now? Getting cold feet already?"

Celeste looked a little wounded as she said it, deliberately dragging out the word "cripple" while glancing at Ethan.

Liam freaked out, stammered, "You... You... You..." Too scared to even glance at Ethan, like he was scared he'd be torn apart right then and there.

What shocked him more than Celeste's blunt confession... was how the once gentle and quiet woman could lay it all out like this-right in front of Ethan!

The post-prison version of her? Totally unhinged.

"I-I mean, I admit I had thoughts, okay? But she wasn't feeling well! We didn't actually-"

Celeste wasn't even mad. She stared him down like she'd just figured him out. So this guy only acts brave when someone's weak, huh?

All bark, no bite.

What a waste of that dangerously pretty face.

But hey, maybe this little drama would actually make her life a bit more fun.

"Get out!!" Ethan barked, voice low and shaking with rage as he rolled his chair forward.

It was terrifying-like his voice had crawled out of hell itself. Even Celeste's back went cold. No wonder she used to be scared of him-he really did give off major bomb-waiting-to-explode vibes. The deadly kind.

Liam shot her a vicious glare, cursing her silently-next time, he'd make her pay-but in front of Ethan? He didn't dare let out so much as a breath. On his way out, he even tripped, scrambling out like his butt was on fire.

Now it was just the two of them-the air thick and quiet.

"I... um..." she started, unexpectedly flustered. For some reason, her heart was pounding like crazy. Really? Getting nervous over a man in a wheelchair?

'Get it together, Celeste.'

"Hey, long time no see..." she finally blurted out. As soon as the words came out, she felt like shoving her foot straight into her mouth.

Ethan stared at her coldly, saying nothing.

That look... it chilled her all over.

Still silent?

"Well, since it's sunny out, maybe I could push you outside for a bit?" From what she remembered, he used to really want that.

But the second her hand touched the wheelchair, he suddenly grabbed her wrist hard-and then, without warning, his rough palm clamped around her neck.

The pain hit her first, then the lack of air.

Her face quickly turned red and purple.