Chapter 3

When I got home, Ethan was sitting on the couch watching the financial news.

He was wearing casual loungewear, and the warm lights softened the usual sharp, intimidating aura of a powerful CEO.

Hearing the door open, he turned around and smiled.

"You're home. Tough day?"

I threw my bag on the entryway table, kicked off my shoes, and sat down next to him.

"Not really."

He instantly sensed my mood. He turned off the TV and took my hand in his.

His palm was large, warm, and filled with a reassuring strength.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?"

I shook my head and leaned against his shoulder. "It’s nothing."

Ethan reached under the coffee table, pulled out an iPad, and handed it to me.

On the screen was our gym's Snapchat group.

There were hundreds of unread messages, and right at the top was the anonymous post.

[A certain trainer will do anything for sales. She’s providing ‘special services’ for $150,000 a pop!]

The comments below were disgusting. Someone had even leaked my photo. Although they had blurred my face, anyone who knew me could tell it was me instantly.

My breathing turned heavy. Ethan reached up, his thumb gently caressing my cheek.

"Did they hurt you?"

I looked into his deep eyes and shook my head.

I didn't want to live under his protection forever. I chose this job myself, and I wanted to handle the issues that came with it on my own.

"No, I want to try to handle it myself first. But if I can't," I looked at him, "then you can step in."

The next morning, I forced myself to go to the gym, trying to fix things.

I gathered my courage and went to see Marcus, but he wouldn't even let me in his office. He just cracked the door open and said impatiently, "Chloe, don't annoy me. If this isn't fixed, don't show up tomorrow!"

Feeling shut out, I tried to talk to a few members I was close with to clear my name. But they all gave me the cold shoulder.

They either gave me vague excuses or mocked me in a "we all know what you did" tone, telling me to stop pretending.

Standing outside the locker room, listening to the whispers and laughter inside, I felt naked and exposed. I felt completely powerless and angry.

When I got home that night, I finally broke down and buried my face in Ethan's chest.

He didn't ask any questions. He just gently stroked my back.

After a long time, he picked up his phone and made a call right in front of me.

"Mr. Sterling, about the executive fitness consultant program we discussed last time... you can go check out the gym tomorrow. Ask for a trainer named Chloe."

The person on the other end quickly agreed.

He hung up and pointed at the Snapchat IDs that had left the most disgusting comments.

"These people won't see the sunrise before they learn what it means to pay for their words."

His voice was calm, as if he were talking about the weather.

But I knew Ethan never made empty threats.

Suddenly, Ethan smiled.

"Or, we can do this the easy way."

He leaned in closer, whispering in my ear.

"I can just buy the entire gym and make you the owner. I don't like any place that makes my wife cry."

I was shocked by his casual tone.

"What?"

"I'm serious," Ethan said, looking at me.

I pushed him away.

"No, you don't have to..."

Before I could finish, my phone rang.

It was Marcus. His voice sounded incredibly tense.

"Chloe! Make sure you get to the gym early tomorrow. Don't be late! We have... we have a very important guest coming!"

The next morning, I went to the gym as usual.

But as soon as I reached the entrance, I saw a crowd gathered around. The atmosphere felt incredibly heavy.