Page 29 of Ethan: The Untouchable CEO

And that’s it. Theo flashes his signature smile, then turns and walks out the door as if he didn’t just detonate a bomb in the middle of the room.

“I’m going with you,” Thalia says, practically running after him.

“Excuse me?” I ask loudly enough for the entire house to hear.

The room explodes into laughter.

“Yeah… we had the same reaction,” Aiden says.

But I doubt they actually did. There’s no way they had the same reaction. Because the moment the truth sinks in, everything I believed for the past year starts rearranging itself in my head.

So the reason I stopped teasing her, the reason I kept my distance every single time she was too close… wasn’t real? So I didn’t actually touch Theo’s woman? My brother’s woman.

The realization hits hard enough that I almost feel dizzy.

And even though the fact that I was capable of crossing that line still unsettles me more than I’d like to admit, I can’t ignore the wave of relief flooding through my chest.

Relief so raw it almost feels like a weakness.

And Thalia…

She played along with this lie all this time. And now that I finally know the truth, she ran.

No.

I can’t accept that.

THIRTEEN

Thalia

It’s the big day, and the party is finally ready for the guests to arrive. We’re in one of the event halls of the Hartho building, and the place looks absolutely stunning, transformed so completely that it’s almost hard to believe this is the same space we started decorating just a few days ago.

From the very entrance, people will be greeted with trays of colorful juices, cocktails, and bowls of candy arranged in every imaginable shade of pink, gold, and pastel blue, all perfectly aligned with the Barbie theme we chose for the night. The moment the doors open, the entire place will feel like someone stepped straight into a larger-than-life dollhouse.

Mini sun umbrellas hang above several of the cocktail tables like bursts of playful colors, while oversized sunglasses and small decorative fans are scattered across the décor, giving the room a light, almost mischievous energy. The tables themselves are wrapped in glossy paper that reflects the soft lighting from above, and the chairs—my favorite detail—are exact replicas of the tiny plastic chairs that come with Barbie dollhouses, only scaled up for actual people.

On the right side of the hall, the candy bar and cocktail station explode with color, rows of glass jars filled with gummies, lollipops, and chocolate pearls standing beside glittering bottles and carefully arranged garnishes. On the opposite side, a small stage connects into the room, already waiting for the costume parade later tonight.

The catering staff moves quietly between tables, preparing trays of small dishes that will be served throughout the evening, while the schedule—planned almost obsessively over the past weeks—is set down to the hour.

In less than thirty minutes, the room should be full.

And in about three hours, the contest everyone has been waiting for will finally begin.

Sierra, Irina, and other Hartho employees are already here, helping me go over every single detail one last time. We’ve checked the lighting twice, adjusted the music list, and verified the prize table.

I’m already dressed for the party, wearing a short green dress with long sleeves made from entirely sheer fabric that catches the light every time I move. Underneath it, a golden bodysuit hugs my body, the metallic fabric shimmering faintly beneath the transparent material.

On my feet are golden platform heels so high they should probably come with a warning label, while my hair falls straight and loose down my back, sleek and perfectly styled. Over the sleeves of my dress I wear two thick golden bracelets on each arm, the metal clicking softly whenever I move, and my ears glitter with long golden earrings that brush lightly against my neck.

And yes—I went all in on the Barbie-doll makeup too. Pink blush, glossy lips, dramatic lashes.

I love how the entire look turned out.

“Wow, everything is spectacular, Thalia,” Chase says from somewhere behind me, his voice breaking through my thoughts and making me jump.

I turn toward him with a smile that’s entirely genuine.