Chapter 6
855 Words
The soft glow of the early morning sun seeped through the tall Window , casting golden beams on the cream walls of Lara room. Her eyes flustered Open slowly, her body wrapped in the lingering warmth of yesterday's fevered moments. A faint ache radiates through her muscles - a tender reminder of Ethan touch - but it was the kind of ache that made her chest flutter with satisfaction rather than pain .
For a moment, she lay still, savoring the calm that followed the Storm of passion. The silk sheets tangled around her legs, cool against her flushed skin while the faint scent of Ethan cologne clung to the pillow beneath her head.
But when she glanced at the side, The space beside her was empty.
He was gone.
Lara's heart skipped. She sat slowly with the soft nestle of the sheets sounding unnaturally loud in the quiet room. Her skin prickled under the cool morning air, and the realization that she was alone settled in .
She reached for her phone on the bedside table, thumb hovering above the serene. It was the messages that made her pause . Two notifications from Tyler. Her chest tightened, and a familiar knot of dreaded twisted deep inside.
With hesitant fingers, she tapped the screen and opened the messages.
The first read :
"so this is what you went there to do?"
Her breath caught. There was no mistaking the venom behind the words.
The second was an image.
A cruel , precise capture of her naked back, Ethan's lips pressed to her skin , his hand moving where only a few had dared before.
The third message was a furious rant, riddled with insults and accusations.
"You slut.you think this makes us even? I was bored with you anyway.You 're pathetic".
Lara's eyes stung, and for a moment,a sharp,bitter pain surged through her.The boy she once trusted - the one she loved - had turned her betrayal into a weapon against her.
She swallowed hard, fingers trembling as she stared at the screen.Then , slowly,a faint smile curved her lips.
Revenge tasted sweet.
Without another thought,she deleted the message and blocked him .
The morning light seemed to brighten,as if cheering her on.
Downstairs, the smell of fresh coffee drifted up the stairs, coaxing her from the haze of her thought.
Lara wrapped a soft robe around her slender frame and padded quietly to the kitchen.The wooden floor was cool beneath her bare feet.
There, standing shirtless,by the counter,was Ethan - his skin slightly damp from early workout,the light eatening the sharp planes of his muscles.
Her breath caught.
"Morning," he said, handling her a statement mug .
She accepted it with a stiff nod , eyes narrowed with quiet concern."You looked like you didn't sleep well."
" Just tired ",she murmured, taking a sip. Ethan smirked ." Regrets already? "
He chuckled softly and took a step closer, lowering his voice," you sent him those pictures, didn't you? "
Her cheeks rushed, but she held his gaze.
" What makes you think so?"
"The way u smiled when opening those messages," he said, eyes sparkling with mischief."Dangerous woman".
She glanced away, feeling her heart hammer in her chest.
---
The rest of the day passed in a blur of paperwork and new faces.Lara had begun to find her rhythm at the firm, even as the memory of Tyler betrayal lingered at the edge of her mind.
Later ,as she navigated the gleaming marble hallway,she bumped into Ethan's father.
"Lara ",Mr. Richard Carter greeted warmly.
"Settling in alright?"
"Very well , thank you Sir,"she replied, trying to sound composed.
He smiled knowingly." Ethan tells me you're quite the challenge."
She laughed nervously." I just doing my best sir."
" Good ",he said clapping her shoulder lightly." He needs someone like you."
The comment left a strange flutter in Lara stomach as she watched him walk away.
Back at the office, the buzz of activity grew as new cases rolled in.
When Lara supervisor announced she would be partnered with a new worker for the next assignment, she wasn't prepared for the person who walked into the room.
Zayne Cross.
Tall and hot but not like Ethan, with a confident swagger and a grin that made her pulse sup,he extended a hand.
"Looking forward to working with you".
Their hands met.
Ethan arrived moment later,his sharp eyes flickering between,Lara and Zayne.Something unreadable crossed his face - a flicker of warning.
He said nothing, but the atmosphere thickened .
That evening,as Lara headed back to her room, a voice called her name.She turned to see Ethan leaning casually against the wall.
"You and that new worker getting cozy already?"
she raised an eyebrow."Are you jealous?"
He smiled."Not jealous. Just curious how fast you move on when you are heartbroken."
she rolled her eyes, but her heart betrayed her , pounding louder than she wanted.
"It's none of your business".
He stepped closer, voice low ."Just saying.... next time, you might be begging for me again.
She shoved him playfully, but inside,a storm was rising.
He smiled knowingly."
- Writer
