Chapter 32: Ethan's pov

As Olivia's shrill cries faded and the mansion's door slammed shut, Ethan stood there, seething with a potent mix of anger and frustration. He couldn't believe the audacity of Olivia Dante, his stepmother, to barge into his house and insult his wife, Emily.

Ethan's mind raced back to the moment Olivia had walked in and confronted Emily. At first, he had watched with a detached amusement, curious to see how Emily would respond to Olivia's venomous words. He had never cared much for Olivia, considering her presence in his life an unwelcome burden. Their relationship had always been strained, but this was a new level of audacity.

When Olivia slapped Emily, something inside Ethan snapped. He felt a surge of anger so intense that it nearly overwhelmed him. It wasn't just Emily's pain that ignited his fury; it was the utter disrespect shown to his wife within their own home.

As Ethan descended the stairs, every step echoed his mounting rage. His words had been a warning, a declaration that he would not tolerate anyone harming Emily, no matter who they were or what their connection to him might be. The icy tone of his voice and the chilling demeanor he had adopted were a reflection of the storm brewing within him.

When he saw the trickle of blood from Emily's lip, his anger flared even brighter. It was as if a switch had been flipped, unleashing a side of him he rarely allowed to surface. The slap he delivered to Olivia's face was a manifestation of the rage that had consumed him.

Ethan's stern assertion about making the rules in his own house and the vow that next time Olivia would have to contend with him were not empty threats. He was ready to protect Emily at any cost, even if it meant confronting his own family.

Emily's presence beside him, her hand holding his back, grounded him in that moment. He had her to protect, and he would do so fiercely. As Olivia retreated from the house, Ethan felt a mixture of relief and lingering anger. Olivia's actions had been a wake-up call, a reminder that their unconventional marriage would face external challenges.

With a heavy sigh, Ethan turned to Emily, his expression softening. He knew he needed to discuss the incident with her, to reassure her and make her feel safe. This was just another battle in the complex war they had entered, and together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead.