99 Houses for His Love One for My Freedom novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Ethan had never known it was possible to feel both scorching hot and freezing cold at the same time.

It was the end of August, and he was sweating through a suffocating bunny costume. The kind meant for kids‘ parties and charity parades.

But the moment he saw me run into Logan’s arms, he went ice cold.

He knew, logically, that we were divorced.

He knew I had every right to move on, to meet someone new. To start over.

But part of him still clung to the fantasy–that maybe, somehow, I’d come back.

Logan and I left the boardwalk just as the fireworks faded behind us, our steps slow, our hands loosely

intertwined.

At the far end of the road, Ethan stood alone, still in that ridiculous bunny suit.

He looked… displaced. Like a stray with nowhere to go. If I hadn’t known better, I might’ve felt sorry for

him. But then I remembered the things he’d done. And my feelings for him had vanished.

As I passed, his oversized paw–like hand reached out and blocked my path.

I turned to Logan. “Give me a minute, okay?”

He hesitated, clearly worried, but I gave him a reassuring nod.

“I’ll be fine. Wait for me in the car.”

Then, with a crooked little smile, I added, “If anything happens, just come run him over.”

Logan smirked, tapping his chest like a soldier taking orders.

“You got it. Consider it done.”

Once Logan stepped away, Ethan pulled off the bunny head.

His face was flushed, damp with sweat, hair matted and sticking to his forehead.

I’d never seen him look so disheveled.

Not for anyone–certainly not for me.

I offered a faint smile. “You’ve been wasting days over here. Isn’t Tiffany wondering where you are?”

Tiffany never tolerated being left alone. Every time she came back to the States, Ethan was glued to her side. She didn’t share. Not time, not attention. Not anything.

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And Ethan? He always fell for it.

But this time, he hesitated–then shook his head.

“I’m not going back to her.”

“I told her the truth. I stayed because I owed her something–I wasn’t there when she needed me most. I

thought sticking around was how I could make it right.”

“But in doing that, I hurt someone else. Again. And I’m done being that person.

“She left,” he added after a pause. “Said she won’t be coming back.‘

He said it like it meant nothing.

But I knew Tiffany. She didn’t just leave. She detonated.

>>

There was no doubt in my mind–she blew up on him, boarded a plane, and might’ve even tried calling me

on the way out.

I laughed, quietly.

“Ethan… let me guess. You came looking for me after she said she was done with you?”

He shook his head fast, eyes wide. “No–God, no. Maddie, I came because

love you.”

“I meant what I said. I walked away from her because I love you. I don’t want to hurt you anymore. I—”

He stepped forward, his voice cracking.

“Madeline… I love you. I still love you.”

It sounded beautiful.

Maybe too beautiful.

Once, it would’ve broken me open. Even on the ninety–ninth time, I might’ve caved.

But this? This was the hundredth.

the hundredth time doesn’t break you. It empties you.

on’t want your love anymore, Ethan.”

“You think just because you finally figured it out, I’m supposed to open my arms and thank you for arriving

late?”

His face crumpled.

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Tears welled in his eyes–another first.

Today, I got to see all his firsts.

The first time he looked messy.

The first time he cried.

And somehow, I felt… nothing.

“Maddie,” he whispered, “If you didn’t care… why’d you keep all the things I gave you?”

It took me a second to realize what he meant.

“The houses?” I scoffed. “You’re really gonna bring those up?”

“You used those to buy my silence, Ethan. You think they meant something?”

“Fine. Take them back. Every single one.”

“You think I kept them because I wanted them? No–I kept them because every key reminded me who you

really were.”

I turned to leave, but he lunged forward and grabbed my arm, his voice turning raw.

“So what, you’re gonna throw it all away? Me, the money–everything? For what? That broke–ass

bartender?”

“What’s he ever going to give you, Maddie?!”

I ripped my arm from his grip and stared him down.

“I don’t need him to give me anything.”

“I just need him not to betray me.”

I walked away without looking back.

Behind me, I could hear him stumbling, the stupid bunny suit slowing him down as he tried to catch up.

o’s to say he won’t betray you?!”

was yelling now. Desperate. Cracking,

He was the one who once betrayed me, yet now he couldn’t stand the thought of being left behind.

I shook my head and said nothing.

Logan was waiting by the car, leaning against the door with arms crossed, and when I reached him, he

Chapter 10

didn’t ask what happened or glance at Ethan–he just looked at me.

“Would you ever… not trust me?” he asked softly.

His gaze was steady, but his fingers twitched by his sides.

“I mean, I own a bar. I’m not exactly rolling in it. But I could at least afford to take care of you.”

I let out a laugh and grabbed his collar, pulling him closer.

“Try betraying me,” I said with a mock threat, “and I’ll find someone new by morning.”

Chapter 10