Chapter 14
751 Words
The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. Lanesra stirred, her body warm and tangled in the sheets beside Kade. His arm was draped over her waist, his breathing steady and peaceful. For the first time in months, she felt something close to whole.
But the peace was short-lived.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, shattering the moment. She reached for it, her heart skipping a beat as she saw the name flashing on the screen.
Erin.
A cold chill ran through her. She carefully slipped out from under Kade’s arm, grabbing the phone and stepping into the bathroom before answering.
"What do you want, Erin?" she hissed, her voice barely above a whisper.
A pause. Then Erin’s smooth, calculated voice slithered through the receiver. "I see you finally decided to forgive him. How predictable."
Lanesra’s grip tightened on the phone. "If you called just to gloat—"
"Not at all, sweetheart," Erin cut in. "I called to warn you. You think this is over? Kade’s past isn’t something that can just be erased by a night in bed. There are things you still don’t know. And if you’re smart, you’ll listen to me before it’s too late."
Lanesra’s stomach twisted. "Why should I believe anything you say?"
Erin let out a low chuckle. "Because deep down, you know I’m right. Meet me at the café on 5th Street in an hour. Alone."
The line went dead.
Lanesra stood frozen, her mind spinning. Was she really willing to listen to Erin again? After everything? But there was a nagging feeling in her chest, an unease she couldn’t shake.
She took a deep breath and walked back into the bedroom. Kade was still asleep, his face relaxed, his guard down. She wished she could let herself fall completely into this moment, but Erin’s words had slithered their way into her thoughts, poisoning the fragile peace she and Kade had just begun to rebuild.
She needed answers. And she needed to know if she had truly made the right choice.
Slipping into her jeans and sweater, she grabbed her keys and quietly left the apartment, unsure if she was walking toward clarity—or another heartbreak.
The café on 5th Street was nearly empty when Lanesra arrived. The scent of roasted coffee beans lingered in the air, and the rain outside made the place feel even smaller, more intimate. She spotted Erin sitting at a corner table, a smug smile playing on her lips as she stirred her drink lazily.
"You actually came," Erin mused, looking Lanesra up and down. "I wasn’t sure if you had the nerve."
Lanesra took a seat across from her, folding her arms. "Cut the games, Erin. What do you know?"
Erin arched a brow. "Straight to the point. I like it. But first, tell me something—do you really think you know everything about Kade? That he’s told you the full truth?"
Lanesra’s jaw clenched. "I know he’s not perfect, but I also know he loves me."
Erin let out a dry laugh. "Love? Darling, love doesn’t erase a past like his. There are things you haven’t even begun to uncover."
Lanesra’s fingers curled into fists beneath the table. "Then tell me. Stop playing around and just say it."
Erin leaned in, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "Did he ever tell you why I left? Why I walked away from him before?"
Lanesra frowned. "He said you betrayed him. That you used him."
Erin smirked. "And you believed him? Of course you did. But let me ask you this—did he ever mention the money? The debts? Or the people who came looking for him after I was gone?"
Lanesra felt her breath hitch. "What are you talking about?"
Erin sat back, sipping her coffee. "Kade wasn’t always the man you think he is. And the past? It has a funny way of catching up with people."
Lanesra’s heart pounded as doubts clawed their way to the surface. Had she really forgiven Kade too easily? Had she ignored the warning signs?
She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "If you’re trying to scare me, it’s not working."
Erin simply smiled. "Then I guess we’ll see, won’t we?"
Lanesra turned and stormed out of the café, her mind a whirlwind of confusion. She had come for answers, but all she had were more questions.
And she wasn’t sure if she was ready for the truth.
- Writer
