Elle’s POV
His words sounded like a polite comment, but I heard the sharpness underneath. The kind of sharpness that only someone who once thought they owned you could have.
Ethan didn’t even flinch. He turned his head slightly toward John, his face calm, but there was a spark in his eyes. A challenge. He slid his hand back to the small of my back, his touch warm and firm, like he was claiming me all over again. He pulled me a little closer to his side, close enough that my shoulder brushed his arm.
“We are,” Ethan said simply. His voice was smooth and deep, the kind of voice that made the words feel heavier than they were. It wasn’t just an answer. It was a statement. A warning.
My stomach fluttered, and my heart skipped another beat. I still didn’t look up at Ethan because I was scar
