THE COLOURS OF US

Chapter 5: Between jealousy & Desire

Lily’s win had pushed her into the next round of the competition. A huge leap forward—but she wasn’t bathing in the spotlight just yet. She was still grinding, still proving herself. But that night’s performance had shifted something. The judges had taken notice. So had the audience.

And so had Ethan.

He had been watching her with the same familiar intensity—but this time, it wasn’t admiration. It was something darker.

She spotted him waiting near her dressing room as she stepped into the hallway after rehearsal. His posture was tense, his jaw set. She knew that look. She used to love that look—back when he was hers. Now he belonged to someone else. Her stepsister, of all people.

“Lily,” he called, stepping into her path. “Can we talk?”

She didn’t answer right away. Just crossed her arms. “What do you want, Ethan?”

“I want to know what’s going on with you and Julian,” he said, voice clipped.

Her brows shot up. “That’s none of your business.”

“It is,” he snapped. “We were together for two years. I know you.”

“That was before you proposed to my stepsister,” Lily said, her voice sharp.

Ethan flinched, but recovered quickly. “That doesn’t mean I stopped caring about you.”

Lily shook her head, more tired than angry. “No, it just means you moved on fast.”

Ethan’s voice dropped. “I see the way he looks at you. Like he owns you. And you—God, Lily—you let him.”

“Don’t talk like that,” she said, jaw tightening. “Julian sees me. Supports me. You don’t get to act jealous when you’re planning a wedding with my sister.”

For a moment, Ethan just stared at her, eyes stormy with things he couldn’t say. But Lily was done listening. She walked away, heels echoing on the tile. She didn’t look back.

That evening, the entertainment company hosted a private dinner party for the contestants. The atmosphere was glittering, everyone dressed to impress. Music played low under the hum of conversation. Lily sipped her champagne, scanning the room until her eyes landed on Julian.

He was already watching her.

Their eyes locked, and that now-familiar pull surged between them again—undeniable, magnetic. Ever since their kiss in the early days of the competition, tension had been building, growing stronger with every look, every accidental touch.

Julian walked over, suit crisp, cologne subtle but intoxicating. “Need some air?”

Lily nodded, heart pounding. He took her hand and led her out to the balcony.

The night air was cool against her skin, but it did nothing to cool the heat between them. Julian looked at her like he had been holding something in for too long.

“I haven’t stopped thinking about that kiss,” he said, voice low.

Neither had she.

She stepped closer. “Neither have I.”

The distance vanished. His hands found her waist. Her arms wrapped around his neck. And then his lips were on hers—soft but desperate, slow but filled with everything they hadn’t said. When they pulled apart, breathless, Julian whispered, “Let’s get out of here.”

She didn’t hesitate.

At Julian’s place, the moment the door shut behind them, they were all over each other. Kissing, touching, hungry. He lifted her off the ground, carrying her to his bedroom like he couldn’t wait another second.

He laid her gently on the bed, eyes filled with something raw and tender.

His lips trailed down her neck, to her collarbone, and lower still. Slowly, he pulled the straps of her dress down, exposing her to his touch. He kissed her chest, sucking gently, making her gasp. His hands cupped her breasts, fingers brushing across her n*****s, sending shivers through her body.

Then he moved lower.

His hand slipped between her thighs, exploring her, fingers teasing her folds until she was breathless. When he finally slid one finger inside her, then another, her body arched in response. His tongue followed, licking and sucking her like she was the only thing he needed. Her moans filled the room, soft and desperate, pushing him on.

Julian removed her trousers, kissed her again, then positioned himself between her legs. He paused, looking into her eyes.

“This your first time?” he asked, voice gentle.

She nodded, heart racing. “Yes… but I trust you.”

He kissed her slowly, then eased himself inside her. Lily gasped, the pain sharp—but not unbearable. Julian held still, brushing her hair back.

“You okay?”

She nodded. “Don’t stop.”

He began to move, slow and steady, letting her adjust. The pain faded into something else—warmth, pressure, pleasure. Her body trembled beneath him, caught between wanting him to stop and never wanting it to end.

Julian’s hands roamed her body, caressing her breasts, gripping her waist. He kissed her like he meant it, like he had wanted her for years. The rhythm built between them, fast and slow, urgent and careful. She gasped his name, nails digging into his back as they both neared the edge.

When release came, it crashed over them like a wave, long and shuddering and full of everything unsaid.

Afterward, they lay in silence, tangled in each other, hearts racing. For the first time in a long time, Lily didn’t feel alone.

And she didn’t feel like someone else’s leftover.

She felt wanted. Seen. Chosen.