Chapter 25. Ethan's Determination.

Duke Ethan.

I sat alone in the dimly lit room of my villa, the flickering candlelight casting eerie shadows across the walls. It was a night like any other, but my thoughts were consumed by one person – Amaris. My heart ached with a bitter mixture of pride and hurt, emotions I had become all too familiar with.

Memories of her recent rejection flooded my brain and my heart twisted in my chest, my grip on the glass tightening. Although, I had expected a rejection of some sort from her, I did not expect it to be so severe, nor did I expect the immense emotional reaction that came with it.

Why did I even expect her to welcome me with open arms? I chided myself for my foolishness. After all, I had rejected her, neglected her, and allowed her to slip through my fingers without so much as a fight. My pride was wounded, my ego shattered, but beneath it all, I knew I deserved every ounce of her rejection.

A bitter smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I reminisced about that fateful night