Chapter 174

"It was my fault." Ethan answered almost instantly. "Honestly, I was shocked when you asked me that, but in a messed up moment, I didn't deny it... just so you'd give in." "I've screwed up a lot since we were kids, but this one? This one's the one I regret the most." He pulled a wry smile, the kind that doesn't reach the eyes. "I keep replaying that day in my head... if only I'd flat-out denied it, if I'd picked up your call—maybe everything would've ended differently." Anna couldn't look colder if she tried—clearly over it. Of course, Ethan noticed. He let out a bitter chuckle and shrugged. "Whatever. It's all in the past now." "Anna, haven't you ever thought anything was... off?" "Nope. The only weird thing here is you." She wasn't even trying to hide the disdain, fully leaning into that ice queen energy. If someone paid close attention, they'd notice a slight resemblance to Julian's calm tone. But Ethan wasn't ready to shut up just because she didn't care. He wiped his damp shirt ab