Chapter 5 — What Was Hidden
652 Words
Three days passed.
Aria tried to carry on normally. Office. Home. Cooking. Sleep.
But something had shifted.
She looked over her shoulder on the street. Kept her eyes on the door in cafés. Paused for a second every time her phone rang.
Ethan's words kept circling in her head.
"He's using you."
On the fourth morning there was a knock at the door.
Max.
Two cups of coffee in his hands. That familiar smile on his face.
"Can I come in?"
Aria paused. Then stepped aside.
He came in. Glanced around once. Sat down on the sofa.
"How are you?"
"Fine."
"Liar."
Aria wrapped her hands around the coffee cup.
"Why did you leave three years ago?"
Max paused. The smile shifted slightly.
"It's complicated."
"I have time."
He took a sip. Looked out the window.
"If I'd stayed — you would've gotten hurt."
"And now?"
"Now if I stay — I can protect you."
Aria looked at him.
"Protect me from what?"
Max held her gaze directly.
"From Ethan."
At that exact moment Aria's phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
"Is Max with you right now?"
She went still.
Another message —
"Come outside. Alone."
Aria stood up.
"One minute. Bathroom."
Max nodded.
She slipped out quickly and went to the stairwell window. Looked down at the street.
The black car was parked across the road.
She went downstairs.
Ethan was leaning against the car. Hands in his pockets.
Aria walked up and stopped in front of him.
"He's upstairs."
"I know."
"So?"
"What did he tell you about me?"
Aria paused.
"That you're dangerous."
"And you?"
"I'm still figuring that out."
Ethan looked at her. That same steady gaze — calm, deep, measuring everything.
"Max didn't come back to protect you Aria." His voice was quiet. "He came because you know something he wants. Something you might not even realize you know."
Something tightened in her chest.
"What do I know?"
"That's what we need to find out." He paused. "Together."
The wind moved through the street. People passed by without looking.
Aria stood still.
On one side — Max. Three years of history. A familiar smile. Warm words.
On the other — Ethan. A stranger. Cold. But every single time — he'd told her the truth.
"What if I trust you — and you're wrong?"
Ethan didn't move an inch.
"Then that's my failure. Not yours."
Aria took a long breath.
Then said —
"Okay."
Up in the flat.
Max stood at the window.
Looking down.
He watched Aria and Ethan together.
His hand closed into a fist.
He took out his phone. Dialed a number.
Two rings.
"We have a problem."
From the other side —
"How big?"
Max kept his eyes on the street below.
"She's choosing Ethan."
Silence.
Then the voice on the other end changed. What had been cold before — was now harder.
"Then change the plan."
"Meaning?"
"Winning her trust isn't working anymore." A pause. "Scare her instead."
Max said nothing.
Just stepped away from the window.
That night Aria sat alone.
Ethan's words in her head.
"Maybe you don't even know — what you know."
She got up and pulled out an old box. Photos. Letters. Old things.
She started searching.
Something was there.
Somewhere.
Then — right at the bottom of the box — an envelope.
Old. Sealed.
A name written on the front.
In her father's handwriting.
She picked it up. Her hands were trembling.
She opened it.
Read it.
Sat completely still for one minute.
Then picked up her phone.
Dialed Ethan.
One ring.
"Yes."
"Ethan." Her voice was shaking. "I know what it is."
Silence on the other end.
Then —
"Where are you right now?"
"Home."
"Lock the door. I'm coming."
Aria pressed the envelope against her chest.
Outside the night was getting darker.
And somewhere out there —
Someone was already on their way.
Not just Ethan. 🖤
- Writer
