Chapter 8
“I think I need some rest,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The weight of everything crashed down on my shoulders – Ethan’s betrayal, Adam’s revelation, this whole new world I’d stumbled into.
Adam squeezed my shoulder. “Of course. Nolan will show you to your suite.”
I followed,Nolan up the sweeping staircase, my feet dragging with exhaustion, He opened a door to reveal a luxurious bedroom that put my apartment to shame.
“Sleep well, Miss Thorne.” Nolan gave a slight bow and disappeared down the hallway.
I closed the door and sank onto the plush bed. My phone sat cold and silent in my pocket – no calls, no texts from Ethan. Seven years together, and he couldn’t even bother to check if I was okay.
The memory of his voice drifted back,
1 95% 16:05
1/6
Chapter 8
laughing with his friends about their cruel joke. Amanda was back. His real love, apparently. And I was just the stand–in, the replacement he’d used to pass the time.
I curled onto my side, hugging a pillow to my chest. All those nights we’d spent planning our future, the house we’d buy, the family we’d start – had any of it been real? Or was I just another conquest, Adam’s sister he’d dared to pursue?
My fingers traced the empty spot where his ring used to sit. Five years I’d saved for that car, pinching every penny, working
overtime, all to surprise the man I thought loved me. The tears I’d been holding back finally spilled over, soaking into the silk pillowcase.
Somewhere out there, was he with her now? Were they laughing about the fool they’d made of me? The thought twisted like a knife in my chest.
The massive bed felt too empty, too cold.
95% 16:05
2/6
Chapter 8
My phone buzzed against the pillow, the screen lighting up the darkness. Ethan’s name flashed across it. My heart slammed against my ribs as I stared at those five letters, my finger hovering over the screen.
I accepted the call but said nothing, just listened to his breathing on the other end.
“Emma?” His voice cracked. “Baby, where are you? Please come home.”
The tenderness in his tone made me sick. Seven years of lies wrapped in sweet words.
“I’m not coming back.” My voice came out
steadier than I felt.
“What do you mean? Where-”
“I’m in my hometown.”
The line went dead silent. I heard him
swallow hard.
“What?” He choked out. “That’s impossible. You- you can’t be there.”
“I am.”
95% 16:05
3/6
4:05
Chapter S
97
“Emma.” His voice shifted, an edge of panic. creeping in. “Please tell me you’re not with Adam. Tell me you haven’t found him.”
I closed my eyes. “Yes, I’m with my brother.”
“No, no, no.” His breath came in sharp bursts. “You don’t understand. You have no
idea what he is, what he’s capable of-”
The calm facade cracked, his voice rising to a shout. “Get out of there! Do you hear me? Your life is in danger. You need to leave that house right now!”
“Why?” My voice came out sharp, cutting, through his panic. “And what right do you have to care about where I am? You lost that privilege the moment I heard you laughing about your little game with your friends.”
“Emma, please-”
“Seven years, Ethan. Seven years you played me for a fool.”
954 18:05
4:05
97
Chapter 8
“This isn’t about that.” His voice cracked. “You don’t understand what kind of danger-”
“No, you don’t understand. You don’t get to act concerned about my welfare now. Not after everything.”
“For God’s sake, Emma, listen to me! Adam isn’t who you think he is. You need to get out of there before-”
I sat up straight, anger burning through my exhaustion. “Before what? And whose life are you really worried about here, Ethan? Mine… or yours?”
The line went silent. His breathing turned shallow.
“Emma…” His voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “Please. Just… just come home. We can talk about everything. I’ll explain everything.”
“Answer my question.” I gripped the phone tighter. “Who are you really afraid for?”
154 18 05
5/8
Chapter 8
He let out a shaky breath. “Both of us. You
have no idea what you’ve walked into.”
95% 16:05
