Emerald was a full head shorter than Ethan, but in that moment, her presence was overpowering.
What made it even worse for him was how much she resembled Alaric—commanding, distant, completely out of reach.
It made his stomach churn.
"Emerald, you're just clinging to Alaric," Ethan scoffed, his voice dripping with bitterness. "Do you really think he'll marry you? You couldn't even get into the Florida with your status, and you think you can make it into the Corrigan?"
He let out a sharp laugh. "If I were you, I'd quit while I was ahead. Don't be as foolish as before. A woman's youth only lasts so long. Take advantage of the fact that he's older than you—squeeze as much money out of him as you can. Otherwise..."
Emerald finished drying her hands, then calmly lifted her gaze to meet his. His face, twisted with jealousy, looked particularly unsightly under the harsh bathroom lights.
