"Your legs are incredible," the message read. "So pale and slim."

I glanced over.

In the corner of my eye, I could see Ethan on the laptop screen, looking down at his phone.

Ugh. What a scumbag.

On a video call with his girlfriend while texting me.

The best part was, Bella had no clue.

She was still cooing and acting cute for him.

But Ethan's mind was clearly somewhere else.

"You like them?" I texted back.

He must not have expected that response.

The little typing bubble appeared and disappeared for a long time.

"Christmas is in a couple of days," I sent. "Want to go out with me?"

"What?"

"What's wrong? You don't want to? I thought you were so bold, but maybe you're all talk."

My jab at his ego worked perfectly.

He couldn't stand being called a coward.

He replied instantly. "I'm in. Only a coward would back out."

"Okay," I typed. "It's a date, then."

On Christmas Day, I blew off my plans with Liam and got into Ethan's car.

From the second I sat down, his eyes were glued to my legs.

He swallowed hard, looking desperate, but also a little wary.

"Are you serious about this? You're not just messing with me, are you?"

I shot him a dismissive look, a smirk playing on my lips as I put on a syrupy sweet voice.

"What's the matter? Are you scared? Getting cold feet now?"

My eyes were full of challenge, but my mind was already calculating the perfect way to make him pay for what he did in my past life.

He looked like I'd struck a nerve.

His eyes filled with a predatory determination.

"Me? Scared? You've got to be kidding."

I leaned in closer to him, my breath ghosting across his cheek. I fluttered my eyelashes.

His breathing hitched.

"Aren't you afraid Bella will find out?" he asked. "She's a vindictive bitch, you know. She'd tear you apart if she found out what you're doing."

I know.

He wasn't wrong. Bella would absolutely tear me apart.

In my past life, that's exactly what she did.

She labeled me a slut, a homewrecker, and made me an outcast everyone spit on.

And Ethan? He just stood by and watched, even mocking me afterward, saying I brought it on myself.

Now, it was their turn to feel what it's like to be hurt.

I blew a soft breath against his ear.

"I'm not afraid of her," I whispered. "If you like me enough, you'll protect me. Right?"

Ethan was completely mesmerized, nodding eagerly as his foot pressed harder on the gas pedal.

"Don't worry," he said. "As long as you're with me, of course I'll protect you."

Just then, his phone rang.

I saw the caller ID: "Bella."

Ethan quickly declined the call and silenced his phone.

"Not gonna answer that?"

"Nope. I can't let anyone interrupt our date."

I let out a soft laugh and said nothing, turning to look out the window.

The whole way there, his fingers tapped restlessly on the steering wheel, and he kept glancing at me in the rearview mirror, his greedy eyes unable to hide their hunger.

Soon, we pulled up to a hotel off the main road.

Ethan practically dragged me inside the room.

I sidestepped his clumsy advances and walked into the hotel room with an air of nonchalance.

The room was set up to be romantic, with flowers, candles, and a huge bed.

He had clearly prepared for this.

The second we were inside, he lunged for me, trying to grab me in a hug.

I dodged him and feigned annoyance.

"Are you always this desperate? You have zero romance. And you say you like me?"

Ethan immediately tried to placate me.

"You're right, baby, my bad. Let me get things ready."

He went to open a bottle of red wine and lit the candles.

While his back was turned, I quietly turned on the voice recorder on my phone.

This was a key part of my revenge.