Chapter 328
Even After Death
Ethan and Kurt were cousins, and they looked alike. Kurt had been in love with Marina since they were
young, but Ethan was the one Marina liked. So they had been in a love triangle for quite some time.
During one of Marinaâs birthday parties, Kurt attended, but Ethan didnât. Marina got drunk and thought
Kurt was Ethan. She got pregnant after that.
That was one of the happiest times in Kurtâs life. He cared for her attentively and was making
preparations to marry her.
He once told Ethan that he wanted to leave the life of danger behind him because he wanted to be
there for Marina and his child. Ethan agreed to let him go after one last mission.
But fate was cruel to Kurt. He lost his life in the final mission. Before he died, he asked Ethan to take
care of Marina in his stead.
Kurt never found out that Marina never loved him. He didnât know that their one night of passion
resulted from her being drunk. She wouldnât have slept with him otherwise.
She even thought about having an abortion after she learned about her pregnancy. But then, she
received news of Kurtâs passing.
Ethan went to her and pleaded for her to keep the baby. It was Kurtâs only descendant. Marinaâs
condition for keeping the baby was for Ethan to marry her.
Marina wasnât arrogant in the beginning. She was uneasy and insecure. She didnât expect Ethan to
agree to her condition. The only catch was she would have to wait for some time.
It was because Olivia was pregnant then. Ethan had started to distance himself from her, but he didnât
want to devastate her with a divorce during her pregnancy. Both of them had been looking forward to
this baby.
In the following days, Ethan began to pay less attention to Olivia and started to take care of Marina. He
gave Marina whatever she wanted, even at Oliviaâs expense.
Marinaâs greed grew as days went by. She even started to make hurting Olivia her personal goal. Ethan
turned a blind eye to her actions repeatedly because of his guilt toward Kurt.
Marina began to enjoy everything Ethan provided her with. Her demands became more outrageous.
Ethan had tolerated her until this very moment, but Marina was still trying to hold Kurtâs death against
him.
âThe childâs origin doesnât matter. You promised youâd take care of me.â
Marina thought about something else. She said, âI know Kurtâs last words were not the only reason you
married me. You have your considerations, too. You wanted the backing of my father and grandfather.â
Ethan turned to look at her abruptly.
Marina lowered her voice and said, âOthers may not know, But I do. I know about your identity. You
want to climb to the top
of the ladder.
âBut you have a competitor. You want to get more votes than him during the election. And the Carlton
family has been around for over a hundred years. Our connections are far greater than yours.â
Ethan didnât respond. His gaze grew colder.
Marina went on with her monologue obstinately. âEthan, Olivia canât help you with anything. Marrying
me is the best thing for you. Only I can help with the things you want to accomplish.â
Ethan closed his eyes and said, âDonât ever tell anyone else what you said. You know youâre dead if
you expose my identity.â
âI know what Iâm doing. I just want you to be better to me,â Marina said softly.
âMarina, I can give you a marriage, money, and status. But youâre not worthy of my heart.â
Marina wanted to say something more, but Ethan opened his eyes and looked at her.
âIf you werenât the woman Kurt loved, you would already be dead for what youâve done to Olivia a
thousand times over. Be grateful for your position as Mrs. Miller, and stop dreaming of getting more
than you deserve.â