The lies between us

Chapter 5: Not the Same Lena

Ethan Blackwood was not used to waiting.

Lena knew that. In her past life, she had always been available—dropping everything just to please him. But tonight, as she stepped into the upscale restaurant where they were supposed to meet, she wasn’t the same woman anymore.

Ethan stood as she approached, flashing that confident smirk that once made her weak. “You look beautiful.”

Lena slid into her seat, offering a polite but distant smile. “I know.”

For a split second, something flickered across his face—surprise? Annoyance? He masked it quickly.

He reached for her hand, his touch light but possessive. “Lena, I’ve been thinking. You work too hard. You don’t need to stress about your career. I want to take care of you.”

Here it was. The same lie.

In the past, she had been flattered. She had believed he wanted what was best for her. But now, she saw it for what it was—a trap.

Lena pulled her hand back, tilting her head. “That’s sweet, Ethan.” She leaned forward, watching him carefully. “But I don’t need you to take care of me. I can take care of myself.”

The smirk faltered. “Lena, that’s not what I—”

She cut him off with a slow, knowing smile. “I’m sure you meant well. But I’m not interested.”

Ethan stiffened. This wasn’t going the way he had planned.

As Lena stood to leave, she noticed the way Ethan’s jaw tightened, his fingers clenching around his glass. For the first time, Ethan Blackwood didn’t know what just happened.