The Ceo's contract wife

Chapter 33 – Jealousy Wasn't Part of the Contract

The charity gala was in full swing when Li entered the ballroom on Ethan's arm.

Her gown was an elegant shade of emerald, hugging her silhouette like a second skin. Her hair was swept to the side, revealing the delicate curve of her neck. She looked like the perfect CEO's wife—elegant, poised, untouchable.

And Ethan noticed.

He noticed the way heads turned when she walked in. The way her lips curled into polite smiles. The way the men stared a second too long.

It shouldn't have mattered. But it did.

Because tonight, someone got too close.

Li was chatting with a young executive from another firm—tall, confident, and far too charming for Ethan's liking. He saw the man lean in, whisper something near her ear. She laughed. Not politely. Genuinely.

And that was the last straw.

Ethan excused himself from the investors he'd been entertaining and strode across the ballroom, ignoring the murmurs that followed him. He didn't care. All he could focus on was the knot in his chest.

He reached them in seconds.

"Li," he said, his voice low and tight. "I need to speak with you. Now."

She turned, startled. "Ethan?"

Without waiting for a reply, he placed a firm hand on her back and guided her toward the exit. The executive blinked, confused.

"Is everything—"

"She's not available," Ethan said sharply over his shoulder.

They reached the hallway before she pulled away from his grip.

"What was that?" she demanded.

He didn't answer at first. His eyes burned into hers. "What do you think you were doing?"

Her brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

"That man was flirting with you."

"He was being polite."

"You were laughing," he snapped. "Smiling like he'd just told you your favorite secret."

Her expression hardened. "So?"

His jaw clenched. "So you're my wife."

She let out a bitter laugh. "No, Ethan. I'm your contract wife. Remember? You said it yourself—this isn't real."

He stepped closer, his voice dropping. "Then why does it feel real to everyone else? Why does it feel real to me?"

Li stared at him, heart pounding. "Why do you care?"

"I don't know!" His voice cracked, raw with frustration. "I just know I hated seeing someone else make you smile."

Silence hung heavy between them.

He raked a hand through his hair, pacing. "This wasn't part of the plan. You weren't supposed to matter this much."

Her voice softened, trembling. "And yet, here we are."

He stopped pacing. "I'm not good at this. Feelings. Jealousy. You."

She looked at him, eyes wide. "Then stop pretending."

"I'm not pretending," he said through clenched teeth. "You think this is easy for me? Watching you with someone else? Wanting to tear him away and not even knowing why?"

She took a step back. "Ethan—"

He moved forward, cornering her against the wall. One hand braced beside her head, the other hovered near her cheek.

"I don't know what this is between us," he whispered, "but don't ever let another man look at you like that again."

Her breath caught.

He leaned in, their faces inches apart.

"I mean it."

"Then what are we doing, Ethan?" she whispered. "What are we, if not two people pretending to be in love?"

He didn't answer.

Instead, his gaze dropped to her lips.

For a moment, it felt like time froze.

But just when she thought he would kiss her, he pulled away. Sharp. Controlled.

His voice returned to its businesslike tone. "Let's go home."

And just like that, the moment shattered.

Li stood frozen as he walked away, heart pounding, lips still tingling from a kiss that never happened.