CHAPTER 9: THE SECRET HE WAS HIDING
661 Words
For several seconds, nobody moved.
The woman's question still hung in the air.
"Does she know who you really are?"
I looked from Ethan to the woman, waiting for someone to explain.
Nobody did.
Ethan's face had gone completely unreadable.
The warmth from moments ago was gone, replaced by something colder. More guarded.
"Lily, go home."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
I stared at him in disbelief.
"That's it? You're not going to explain?"
The woman crossed her arms.
"He won't."
"Claire."
Ethan's warning tone immediately silenced her.
Unfortunately, my frustration had already reached its limit.
Without another word, I turned around and walked away.
If Ethan wanted secrets, he could keep them.
The next few days were unbearable.
Ethan returned to acting like nothing had happened.
In class, he was distant.
Professional.
Untouchable.
It felt as though someone had built a wall between us overnight.
And the worst part?
I couldn't stop thinking about him.
On Thursday evening, heavy rain covered the city.
The bus I usually took was delayed, forcing me to wait near an empty street outside campus.
Within minutes, the rain became worse.
My umbrella was useless.
Cold droplets soaked my hair and jacket as I stood beneath a small shelter.
Perfect.
Absolutely perfect.
The week was already terrible.
Why not add a storm?
I sighed and stepped away from the shelter, deciding to walk instead.
Bad decision.
Very bad decision.
The pavement was slippery, and visibility was almost impossible.
I had barely taken a few steps when headlights appeared beside me.
A familiar black car.
My heart immediately recognized it before my brain did.
The passenger window lowered.
Ethan.
Of course.
"What are you doing out here?" he asked.
I laughed bitterly.
"Enjoying the weather."
His expression didn't change.
"Get in."
"No."
His jaw tightened.
"Lily."
"I said no."
The silence that followed was dangerous.
Then Ethan opened the driver's door and stepped into the rain.
Immediately.
Without hesitation.
Without caring that he was getting soaked.
My breath caught.
"Ethan—"
"What exactly are you trying to prove?"
His voice was lower now.
Frustrated.
Concerned.
Real.
Something inside me softened despite my best efforts.
"You don't get to disappear for days and suddenly care."
For the first time, Ethan looked genuinely affected by my words.
The anger vanished.
Regret replaced it.
Rain continued falling around us.
Neither of us moved.
"I was trying to do the right thing."
His voice was almost lost beneath the storm.
"Then why does it feel like you're punishing me?"
The question escaped before I could stop it.
Ethan stared at me.
Really stared.
As though he had no answer.
Because maybe he didn't.
A sudden crack of thunder echoed across the street.
Startled, I instinctively stepped backward.
My foot slipped.
A gasp escaped me.
Before I could hit the ground, strong arms caught me.
Everything happened too fast.
One second I was falling.
The next, Ethan was holding me.
His arm around my waist.
My hand gripping his shoulder.
Both of us frozen.
Rain continued pouring around us.
But neither of us seemed aware of it anymore.
My heartbeat became impossibly loud.
Ethan's grip tightened slightly, making sure I was steady before letting go.
Or at least trying to.
Because neither of us moved immediately.
The distance between us disappeared.
For one impossible moment, all I could see were his eyes.
All I could hear was my own heartbeat.
And all I could think about was how dangerous this had become.
Ethan swallowed hard.
"Lily."
The way he said my name felt different.
Almost painful.
Then, before either of us could say another word, a voice interrupted.
"Professor Hayes?"
We both turned.
A student stood across the street.
Watching.
Shock written all over his face.
My stomach dropped.
Ethan's expression hardened instantly.
The moment was gone.
The reality returned.
And judging by the look on the student's face, tomorrow was about to become very complicated.
TO BE CONTINUED...
- Writer
