" I already liquidated every asset the Whitmore Group had . If I have to start over here , I will . I'll rebuild from the ground up . " Ethan's voice trembled with near - manic intensity . A strange glint of triumph flickered in his eyes , as if he expected Ashley to praise him . But to Ashley , he was nothing short of terrifying . For the sake of his obsession , he had destroyed an entire legacy . He'd uprooted everything - burned it to the ground - just to force her back into his life . A man willing to do that for himself could never truly love anyone else . She instinctively took a step back , hiding her revulsion . " So that's what you've done . " Just then , out of the corner of her eye , she spotted subtle movement behind the trees - Cyrael's backup team . Her heart leapt with both hope and fear . They had to stall for time . " So what now ? " she asked calmly . " Planning to hand over your empire to me ? All your wealth , just like that ? " Ethan didn't even blink . " Yes . Everything I have is yours . " For a heartbeat , her chest tightened - but she smoothed it over in an instant . " Then transfer it . Now . I'm done with your empty promises , " she said , extending her hand . Ethan eagerly pulled out his phone , tapped into his offshore account , and handed it to her . " All two billion . Yours . Right now . " Ashley took the phone and stepped back with deliberate calm . Raising her voice , she addressed the mercenaries surrounding the wedding grounds . " Chapter 18 90.00 % AD Wife on the Run , Again ! ( DUBBED ) > " Why ? " he shouted , face contorted with disbelief . " I gave up everything for you ! How could you do this to me ? " Ashley looked at him with ice in her eyes . " Ethan , you already know why . " " No ! I don't ! " he roared . " You loved me once - I know you did ! You just don't get it - I love you too ! That night I told Cyrael I loved you , it wasn't a lie ! " "Ethan , you don't love anyone . Not really , " Ashley said softly but firmly . " The only person you've ever loved is yourself . " " I've said this too many times already , but I'll say it once more , just to be clear : you don't deserve to use the word love . " " No ! That's a lie ! " Ethan's voice cracked as he lifted his gun and pointed it at Cyrael across the yard . " This is you punishing me ! If I kill him , you'll have to admit it . You'll admit you still love me . " " No ! " Ashley screamed . " Don't hurt him ! " She sprinted toward Cyrael , trying to shield him with her own body . " You're right ! Everything you said is right ! Just don't hurt him - please ! " Before she could reach him , a gunshot rang out . The world blurred . Someone slammed Ashley , dragging her down as they rolled across the tiled floor , coming to rest behind an overturned banquet table . " God , Ash ! You took the shot for me ? You shouldn't have done that . If anything happened to you , I'd never forgive myself ! " Cyrael whispered hoarsely , holding her tightly in his arms , his ocean - deep blue eyes brimming with tears . " Ethan can't hurt me , " she gasped , trembling . " But if you got hurt … I'd never recover . " Cyrael pressed his forehead to hers . " I couldn't bear losing you either . Ashley , I love you - I love you . " Ashley broke down , clutching fistfuls of his suit as sobs shook her body . She was truly , utterly terrified . " I'm sorry you had to see this , " Cyrael said gently . " Let's get out of here . I'll keep you safe . " Chapter 18 Wife on the Run , Again ! ( DUBBED ) 90.00 %