Episode 4: The Night She Almost Remembered
819 Words
The Plan—Stealing Claire’s Attention
Ethan had lost too many moments already.
He wasn’t going to lose this one.
Claire was his.
She just didn’t remember yet.
And tonight, he would make her feel it.
A Risky Move—The Party She Didn’t Expect
Ethan knew where Claire was going to be that night.
She had told her friends—Ryan was taking her to dinner.
So Ethan did the only thing he could.
He set up a party in his dorm.
Loud. Exciting. Unmissable.
And then—he made sure Claire got invited.
She was hesitant at first.
“I don’t know,” she had told her friend. “I already have plans.”
But then—Ryan texted, saying he was going to be late.
And that was all Ethan needed.
"Come on, Claire," her friend had nudged her. "Just for a little while."
And finally—she gave in.
Ethan waited.
He was ready.
And when Claire walked through that door—he knew tonight was going to change everything.
The Game Begins—A Dance Too Close
The dorm was filled with people, music vibrating through the walls.
Ethan had made sure the lights were low, the energy thrumming.
And then—he saw her.
Claire stepped inside, her hair falling in soft waves, her dress hugging her body in a way that made Ethan’s pulse spike.
God, she was beautiful.
And she used to be his.
She was still his.
She just didn’t know it yet.
Ethan grabbed two drinks and made his way toward her, cutting through the crowd.
“Didn’t think I’d see you here,” he said, handing her one.
Claire smiled, taking the drink. “Yeah, well… change of plans.”
Ethan’s heart raced.
That was his opening.
He leaned in, his voice smooth. “Good. Because I was hoping you’d come.”
She blinked, surprised. “Why?”
Ethan smirked. “Because I wanted a dance.”
Claire hesitated. “I—”
“Come on,” Ethan whispered, his fingers brushing against her wrist. A simple touch—but it made her shiver.
She felt it.
She just didn’t understand why.
And then—she let him pull her onto the dance floor.
A Dance That Shouldn’t Have Happened
The music was slow but heavy with tension.
Bodies pressed together. Hands trailing over skin.
Ethan pulled Claire close.
Closer than he should have.
But he didn’t care.
His hands slid over the small of her back, his lips near her ear. “You feel familiar,” he murmured.
Claire swallowed hard. “Ethan…”
He knew what she was going to say.
She had Ryan.
She had plans.
But in this moment—she wasn’t thinking about him.
She was thinking about Ethan.
Because the way her breath hitched when he touched her… the way her fingers gripped his shirt as if she didn’t want to let go…
She knew.
Somewhere, deep inside, she knew.
Ethan leaned in. Too close. His breath warm against her skin.
“Tell me you don’t feel it,” he challenged.
Claire’s body tensed.
He could see the war happening inside her.
Logic versus emotion.
New life versus a love she didn’t even remember.
She exhaled, closing her eyes.
And for one perfect moment—she leaned into him.
Ethan’s heart pounded.
This was it.
He could almost taste the victory.
Then—
A voice cut through the noise.
“Claire?”
She froze.
Ethan felt her entire body go rigid.
And then—she pulled away.
Ryan was standing there.
And the moment was gone.
A Harsh Reality—She’s Not His Yet
Claire took a step back.
Her hand trembled slightly.
Ethan’s chest tightened.
She felt it.
She had almost remembered.
But Ryan’s presence had snapped her back to this world.
And suddenly—she looked guilty.
“I—I should go,” she whispered, turning to Ryan. “I’m sorry. I lost track of time.”
Ethan’s stomach twisted violently.
No.
Ryan gave him a warning look before placing a hand on Claire’s lower back and leading her away.
And Ethan?
He just stood there.
Watching as the woman who was once his entire life walked away with another man.
Again.
The Aftermath—Obsession Grows
Ethan didn’t sleep that night.
His mind was a storm.
She had felt something. He knew it.
But it wasn’t enough.
She still left. She still chose Ryan.
Why?
What was missing?
What had changed in this world that made her not his?
Ethan sat on the edge of his bed, running his hands through his hair.
He had been patient. He had played it safe.
But maybe…
Maybe it was time to push harder.
To take bigger risks.
To make Claire see him.
Really see him.
Because he wasn’t going to lose her.
Not again.
Not ever.
(To Be Continued…)
- Writer
