Chapter 2: Room 1708
579 Words
Ava's fingers went numb.
The message glowed on her screen.
Don't marry him. Ask him about the woman in Room 1708.
Her pulse thundered in her ears.
"What happened?"
Selena's voice broke through the silence.
Ava quickly locked her phone.
"Nothing."
It was a terrible lie.
Her smile had already disappeared.
Guests whispered among themselves as Ethan rushed out of the ballroom without explanation.
"What the hell is going on?" someone muttered.
"Did they break up?"
"I heard he got a call from the hospital."
"No... it looked worse than that."
Every rumor landed like another stone in Ava's stomach.
Jade stepped closer.
"Where's Ethan?"
"I... I don't know."
"You don't know?"
Ava forced herself to breathe.
"He just left."
The host awkwardly cleared his throat.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we'll take a short intermission..."
The elegant atmosphere dissolved into gossip.
Phones appeared everywhere.
People were already posting videos.
Within minutes, #EthanBlack began trending.
---
Twenty minutes later...
Ava stood alone on the balcony overlooking the city.
Cold wind brushed against her bare shoulders.
She read the message again.
Room 1708.
Who was the woman?
Was it a joke?
Someone trying to ruin tonight?
Or...
No.
Ethan loved her.
He had to.
Didn't he?
The balcony door slid open.
"Ava."
She turned.
It was Selena.
"I've been looking everywhere for you."
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
Ava looked away.
"Do you trust Ethan?"
The question caught Selena off guard.
"W-Why are you asking me that?"
"Just answer."
Selena hesitated.
"I think..."
Her voice cracked.
"I think people aren't always who we believe they are."
Ava frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"It means—"
The balcony door opened again.
"Ethan's back!"
Both women turned.
Ethan strode across the ballroom with his tie loosened and his expression unreadable.
He looked exhausted.
Almost...
Guilty.
He walked straight toward Ava.
"I'm sorry."
"What happened?"
"I had to deal with something."
"What?"
"I can't tell you."
Ava stared at him.
"You can't... tell me?"
"It's complicated."
"No." She folded her arms. "What's complicated is leaving me alone in front of three hundred guests."
"I know."
"So explain."
"I will."
"When?"
"Soon."
His answer only made the knot in her chest tighten.
She took out her phone.
"Fine."
His eyes followed the movement.
"Then maybe you can explain this."
She held the screen in front of him.
Don't marry him. Ask him about the woman in Room 1708.
The color drained from Ethan's face.
For one long second...
He couldn't speak.
He couldn't even blink.
Ava noticed.
"You know exactly what that means."
He looked away.
"Ava..."
"No."
She stepped back.
"Who is she?"
Silence.
"Ethan."
More silence.
Then, barely above a whisper...
"There isn't enough time to explain."
Ava laughed.
A broken, disbelieving laugh.
"You've got to be kidding me."
She pulled the diamond ring from her finger.
Ethan's eyes widened.
"Ava, don't—"
She placed the ring in his hand.
"When you decide to stop lying..."
Her voice shook.
"...come find me."
She turned and walked away.
Behind her, Ethan shouted her name.
She didn't stop.
She didn't look back.
As she reached the hotel lobby, the elevator doors slid open.
A young woman stepped out.
She was beautiful.
Elegant.
About Ava's age.
And in her arms...
She carried a little girl with dark curls.
The child spotted Ethan across the lobby.
Her face lit up.
She stretched out both arms and squealed loud enough for everyone to hear—
"Daddy!"
- Writer
