My Husband's Mistress is Our Son's Teacher - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Ethan's expression darkened as he stared at the photos. "Where the hell did you get these, Ryan?"
"Listen, let me explain—"
Ryan didn't give him a chance. His fist smashed into Ethan's face. "Explain my ass!"
Ethan's glasses went flying as his lip split open.
Even saints have their limits. Retrieving his glasses with deliberate calm, Ethan wiped them clean before speaking through clenched teeth. "Don't you dare put me in your category, Ryan. I warned you about your behavior months ago. The only reason I helped Nicole was pity—or did you forget she's my friend too?"
Anyone who knew Ethan could hear the dangerous edge beneath his measured tone.
"Nicole? First-name basis now?" Ryan sneered, cocking his fist again. But Ethan intercepted effortlessly, shoving him backward.
"Let me guess—your side piece gave you those photos?" Ethan's voice turned glacial. "You'll trust your mistress over your wife and best friend? I see how it is, Ryan. File those divorce papers you've been dreaming about."
Shouldering past him, Ethan stormed back to his apartment and called me over. As I pressed antiseptic to his swollen lip, he cracked open a whiskey bottle, frustration rolling off him in waves. "I never should've involved you in this mess."
"Enough." I snatched the bottle away. "You're hurt—don't make it worse. And honestly? Ryan's opinion stopped mattering to me weeks ago. The only thoughts I care about are yours."
Ethan went completely still, his hands dropping to his sides as he avoided my gaze.
"What I care about," I stepped closer, backing him against the wall, "is your goddamn cowardice." My teeth grazed his jawline as I whispered, "You never fight for what you want. Won't even chase after someone you like. Is this how you plan to live your whole life?"
His throat worked as he swallowed hard. "You're my brother's wife."
"Wife?" I laughed bitterly, tossing my hair back. "Cut the bullshit, Ethan. Was I his wife before we got together? Am I really his wife now? If I am..." I leaned in until our lips almost touched, "why aren't you pushing me away?"
I trailed a finger down his chest. "Your self-control turns me on...and pisses me off."
Ethan remained frozen, turmoil raging behind his eyes. Finally he rasped, "Did you give those photos to Annie Jo?"
"What if I said no? Would you believe me?" I stepped back, dropping his apartment key on the table. "Blame everything on me. Go apologize to Ryan, save your precious friendship and business deal. Sorry for wasting your time."
I'd barely taken a step when strong arms lifted me clean off the floor. Ethan's mouth crashed into mine before I could protest. He carried me to the bedroom and tossed me onto the mattress.
"You asked for this," he growled, hovering above me.
I yanked him down by his collar.
For the first time in forever, I actually felt alive.
After learning about Ryan's cheating, the thought of him touching me made my skin crawl. But Ethan? His roughness felt electric—every bruising kiss, every possessive grip setting my nerves on fire.
Later, as I traced the scratches I'd left down his back, I teased, "What's going through that head of yours? Planning your apology speech to Ryan?"
Ethan flipped me onto my back, his expression deadly serious.
"No," he murmured, brushing hair from my face. "I'm figuring out how to explain this to you."