chapter 7
1004 Words
Chloe stirred awake, her head pounding and her body aching as sunlight streamed through the curtains of an unfamiliar room. Her eyes fluttered open, and she realized she wasn’t in her own bed. The sheets beneath her were soft and luxurious, and the unfamiliar scent of cologne lingered in the air. Confusion hit her like a wave as she looked around the room, taking in its minimalist decor and modern touches.
She shifted, and that was when she noticed something that made her heart race—she was naked, save for the duvet that covered her body. Panic set in as fragments of the previous night surfaced in her mind. She remembered the bar, the hoodlums, and then Ethan showing up to save her. But after that? Her memory was a blank slate.
Her breathing quickened as she clutched the duvet closer to her chest, her mind jumping to conclusions. Did something happen between her and Ethan? Did she…?
The thought made her cheeks burn with embarrassment and anger. She didn’t know whether to feel violated or ashamed, though deep down she doubted Ethan would have taken advantage of her. Still, the uncertainty gnawed at her.
She heard faint sounds from beyond the door—movement, the clinking of dishes. Ethan was awake. Part of her wanted to confront him immediately, demand answers, but the fear of what he might say kept her rooted to the spot.
As she was debating her next move, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Startled, she reached for it, grateful for the distraction. The screen displayed “Charlotte,” her stepmother’s name.
Chloe hesitated for a moment before answering. “Hello?” she said, her voice raspy and dry.
“Chloe!” Charlotte’s voice was frantic, trembling with fear. “Thank God you answered. I didn’t know who else to call.”
“Charlotte? What’s wrong?” Chloe sat up, clutching the duvet around her as she tried to focus.
“It’s the house… some men came last night,” Charlotte sobbed. “They barged in, demanding money and jewelry. They said it was for Nathan!! Chloe, they took everything. All the cash, all the valuables…”
Chloe’s stomach dropped. “What? Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
“No, but they were so aggressive. They said if we don’t pay up, they’ll come back for more.”
Chloe clenched her fists, her blood boiling. Nathan. Of course, it was him. He was pulling the strings, ensuring her family suffered for daring to cross him.
“I’ll handle it, Charlotte,” Chloe said, her voice firm despite the panic rising inside her. “I promise, I’ll fix this.”
“How, Chloe? We don’t have anything left. Your father is in jail, and now this…” Charlotte broke down into fresh sobs, her despair palpable through the phone.
Chloe bit her lip, fighting back tears of her own. “I’ll find a way. Just hang in there. Don’t let them scare you, okay?”
After a few more assurances, Chloe ended the call and sat there in silence, the weight of her family’s plight pressing down on her. She buried her face in her hands, overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation.
A knock at the door startled her, and before she could respond, Ethan stepped inside, holding a tray with coffee and toast. He froze when he saw her teary-eyed, his expression softening.
“You’re awake,” he said, setting the tray down on a nearby table. “I thought you might need this.”
Chloe quickly wiped her face, trying to compose herself. “Thanks,” she muttered, her tone clipped.
Ethan leaned against the doorframe, studying her. “You look like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders.”
“I do,” Chloe snapped, her frustration bubbling over. “And waking up naked in a stranger’s bed isn’t exactly helping.”
Ethan’s brows furrowed. “Wait—what? You think…?”
Chloe glared at him, clutching the duvet tightly. “What else am I supposed to think? I wake up here, like this, and I don’t remember anything after last night.”
Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Chloe, nothing happened. You passed out, and I brought you here because I didn’t know where else to take you. I put you in the bed, and I—” He paused, his expression serious. “I left. I slept on the couch.”
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Oh.”
“Yeah, oh,” he said, his tone dry but not unkind. “I’m not that kind of guy, Chloe.”
She looked away, feeling a mix of relief and shame. “I’m sorry. I just… everything’s been a mess, and I—”
“It’s fine,” Ethan interrupted, his voice softer now. “You don’t owe me an explanation. But you do look like you’ve got a lot going on.who was that on the phone.
Chloe hesitated, torn between keeping her problems to herself and confiding in Ethan, not knowing if he has changed his mind and is ready to help her.
“Nathan,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “He’s not just after my father. He’s going after my family. Some men broke into our house last night, took everything. They said it was for him.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened, his eyes darkening. “That bastard.”
Chloe nodded, tears welling up again. “I don’t know what to do. No lawyer will take my father’s case, my family’s falling apart, and now this…”
Ethan stepped closer, his presence comforting despite the storm of emotions inside her.i wish things were different between us
Chloe looked up at him, her heart aching with confusion. “Why are you doing this to me Ethan we both know you're the best lawyer for my father's case
Ethan hesitated, his gaze locking with hers.am sorry Chloe am afraid I can't help you.
- Writer
