Ethan grabbed the villa phone and called his assistant . " Track down Ashley Whitmore . I want every detail - where she is , what she's been doing these past two years , everyone she's been with . " Even if he didn't love her , he wouldn't tolerate being betrayed . Fueled by rage , Ethan left the villa and headed straight to Ashley's city . He was going to find out exactly who the other man was . But the moment he opened the door to her old apartment , he froze . The place was empty . Even the battered secondhand couch they'd picked out together and hauled home by hand was gone . A strange , suffocating feeling rose in his chest . He clenched his fists and stepped into the bedroom . Gone . The bed where they'd made love so many times - gone . Even the puzzle portrait from their wedding photo was gone . Ashley had treasured it - even with one piece missing . He'd offered to get a new one dozens of times . She refused every time . She used to wipe it down constantly , hugging it like a child at night . But now , it was gone too . A wave of panic hit him like a crashing tide . Ethan's hands began to tremble . It felt as if something deep inside him had just … collapsed . Ashley had destroyed every trace of their life together - just to run off with some other man ? A raw , unexplainable rage surged through him . He slammed his fist into the wall , skin splitting on impact , blood smearing the drywall . Chapter 10 50.00 % " Ashley … don't let me find you . Because if I do - I swear , you'll regret it ." He stormed out of the apartment and rushed back to Westbridge that very night . The next day , he learned that Lila had been throwing a tantrum in the hospital . She was refusing to eat . Reluctantly , Ethan went to visit her . Lila was sobbing like her world had ended . He wrapped his arms around her with guilt , convincing himself again : Only the princess he'd raised with his own hands deserved his care and protection . " I'm sorry , Lila . I shouldn't have yelled at you , " he whispered . " I promise - I'll never do it again ." Ethan stayed by her side day and night . Unless absolutely necessary for work , he didn't even check the report on Ashley's whereabouts . As soon as Lila was discharged , he took her on a tour across Europe . Fashion shows , auctions , fine dining . On the surface , it was just like old times . But somehow , everything felt … hollow . He couldn't find joy in any of it . One evening , Lila curled up in his lap and traced circles on his chest with her fingers . " Ethan , it's been a while . I miss you … " she purred . Ethan gently took her hand and pressed it flat against his chest . " Lila , you're pregnant now . We need to be careful . " Lila pouted , clearly frustrated . She wriggled closer , rubbing against him , trying to ignite some spark . But nothing happened . The man who once needed only a glance was now completely unaffected . " Hmph ! You should go be a monk , " Lila grumbled and turned away in a huff . Chapter 10 50.00 % Ethan stared at her back , and for some reason , a different image filled his mind- Ashley's back , when she was angry with him . It was just after they got married . He had nearly collapsed from heatstroke after delivering takeout in 104 - degree heat - just to buy her a birthday gift . Ashley had been furious . " Ethan Campbell , I saved your life , and this is how you treat it ? I don't care about gifts - I care about you ! " He hadn't understood why she was mad . He tried to explain . She got even angrier . Eventually , she turned away and refused to speak to him . He'd hugged her from behind , over and over , whispering apologies into her ear . That night , even though he'd meant only to just hold her , his restraint snapped . He took her - ignoring her resistance . He could still remember her red cheeks , her tearful glare . "Even in a marriage , forcing it is still a crime ! " she'd said . That image - flushed cheeks , trembling body , eyes blazing with both fury and desire - burned hot in his mind . And suddenly … his body reacted . The heat surged through him like a spark on gasoline . The desire that hadn't stirred for Lila was now raging out of control . Chapter 10