Alissa's POV (Contained Adult Themes)
When I got home, Ethan was lounging on the couch in the living room, lazily pressing the buttons on the remote. His soft yet distant profile caught my entire attention, and before I could stop myself, my heart began to race uncontrollably.
Why did I feel guilty, like a thief caught in the act?
“Ethan, come join us!”
Avery’s voice floated in from the dining room. She carried a dish to the table, glancing toward the living room with a smile.
Ethan stood up slowly, and the moment he did, his gaze locked on me. I was still lingering at the entrance, like I didn’t belong.
“You’re back late.” His tone carried a hint of reproach. It almost sounded like the quiet complaint of a husband waiting too long for his wife to come home.
“I told you I’d be late.
