Chapter 74. Unexpected Guest

Victoria’s POV

I climbed out of the car as carefully as I could, biting back a wince as pain flared through my twisted ankle. Every step felt like walking on glass, but I gritted my teeth and pushed forward, unwilling to let Ethan see any more vulnerability than he already had.

“Victoria, for Christ’s sake, let me help you,” Ethan said from beside me, his tone laced with exasperation.

I shook my head sharply, keeping my voice calm but firm. “You’ve helped enough. Thank you.”

In truth, he hadn’t helped at all. His sudden reappearance in my life had thrown everything into chaos. If he hadn’t shown up today, I wouldn’t have twisted my ankle in the first place.

Ethan frowned, his jaw tightening as he stepped closer. “Come on, how can you say that? I’d do anything for you. Let me at least help you get inside.”

Help me get inside?

I saw through his intentions immediately. He wasn’t offering out of the goodness of his heart—this was another