Page 37

So she really had imagined it? The vision of him saving her—from the fire, pulling her out of the wreck, his voice screaming her name, his arms shielding her? Had none of it been real?
Ellie let out a dry chuckle, shaking her head. “Good thing I have a brain,” she muttered under her breath. “Obviously, that was just a dream. No way this narcissist saved me. His fingers would probably tingle just from touching something that could actually harm him.”
“What was that?” Sawyer narrowed his eyes.
She met his eyes with a defiant glare, her patience wearing thin. “Don’t worry. Even if I were dying, I wouldn’t expect you to take responsibility for me. I can take care of myself. You can walk away now.”
His expression tightened, a flicker of frustration darkening his stormy eyes. Instead of leaving, he took a step closer, his tall frame casting a shadow over her bed.
“You’re acting different,” he muttered, his voice low, scrutinizing her with sharp suspicion.
Ellie arched a brow. “And how exactly should I be acting?”
Sawyer leaned in, bracing his hands on the mattress, his face inches from hers. “Your attitude, your tone, the way you talk to me—everything is different. Ever since you left to live with Lily, you’ve completely changed, Ellie Madden.”
She rolled her eyes. “And you’re only noticing now?”
He didn’t answer, but the intensity in his gaze burned into her.
Ellie exhaled, her voice turning flat. “Your lover is back now. You have her. So why do you care how I act? Do you still expect me to behave the same way I did when I was pretending to be your girlfriend?”
Sawyer’s jaw tightened. “You’re still under contract with me, Ellie. Don’t forget that.”
Ellie let out a dry laugh, her eyes flashing with irritation. “Oh, right. Yada, yada. And you’re engaged.” She shoved his chest lightly, her lips curling. “You should be happy, Mr. Stark. Olivia’s back after almost three years. Isn’t this what you were waiting for?” She crossed her arms, tilting her head. “You were so eager for me to disappear the moment she returned. So why does it matter how I behave now with you?”
A mock look of realization crossed her face as she gasped dramatically. “Oh, wait… Don’t tell me—” Her eyes widened. “Are you in love with me? Is that it?”
Sawyer stiffened, his jaw clenching.
“Dream on.” Sawyer pulled back, his voice sharp, but something flickered behind his eyes. “Whatever’s going on in that mad head of yours—stop it. Enough of this nonsense.” He exhaled sharply, his frustration mounting. “I want you to act like before. I don’t like this new attitude.”
Ellie barely had time to retort before someone appeared at the door.
“There. Your true love is here.” She lifted her head toward the door with a cold smile.
Sawyer exhaled sharply, his hand resting on his waist, clearly frustrated. "Ellie, stop acting stupid. What’s Olivia’s got to do—"
“Hi, Sawyer. Hi, Ellie.”
Olivia strolled up to Ellie’s bedside, her heels clicking softly against the floor, before stopping beside Sawyer. With a practiced smile, she set a basket of fruit on the table and held out a bouquet of fresh flowers, her voice dripping with honeyed warmth. "I heard you had an accident. I brought these for you."
Ellie eyed the bouquet like it was laced with cyanide. Her arms folded over her chest as she leaned back against the pillows, her expression cold. “Yeah, no thanks.” She flicked a lazy glance at the flowers. “What did you do? Poison them?”
For a brief second, Olivia’s perfect smile faltered—but it was gone in a blink, replaced by a light giggle as she turned to Sawyer, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "She’s so funny. Oh my god."
Then, as if she hadn't just been accused, Olivia looked back at Ellie, her gaze sweeping over her in feigned concern. "Are you hurt badly? What happened? How did you even get hurt?"
Ellie’s lips curled into a saccharine smile, mirroring Olivia’s fake sweetness. "Oh, come on, Olivia, As if you don’t know."
Olivia froze.
Ellie leaned forward slightly. “Wasn’t it you who arranged for those men to run me over? Who threw me in that car and set it on fire?”
Chapter 11 Stalker
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Sawyer’s head snapped toward Olivia, “What the fuck?” His voice was deadly quiet. “Is that true?”