fallen rose

Chapter 2: Dangerous Liaisons

Eris spent the next few days in a haze, trying to ignore the way Draven’s words echoed in her mind. “You’ll always be mine.” What did that even mean? She had vowed never to be vulnerable again, yet his presence lingered, pulling at the frayed edges of her resolve.

Returning to her mother’s home felt strange. The walls were filled with memories of her childhood, laughter, and love—everything she thought she had lost. But now they felt like a cage, reminding her of everything she wanted to escape. Eris busied herself unpacking boxes and setting up her old room, a desperate attempt to distract herself from the thoughts of Draven lurking in the shadows of her mind.

But fate had other plans.

“Eris, could you come down for a moment?” her mother called from downstairs one afternoon.

With a sigh, Eris descended the stairs, forcing herself to focus on her mother’s words rather than the dark thoughts swirling in her head. As she entered the living room, she froze.

Draven sat casually on their worn-out couch, a casual confidence radiating from him as if he belonged there. His dark hair was tousled, and he wore a fitted black shirt that accentuated his physique. The sight of him sent a jolt of confusion through her, mixing annoyance with a familiar attraction.

“Eris,” her mother said, oblivious to the tension in the room. “Draven was just telling me about some business he’s involved in. You two used to be such good friends.”

“Friends,” Eris echoed, the word tasting bitter on her tongue. She shot Draven a glare, but he only smirked, clearly enjoying her discomfort.

“Yes, well, that was a lifetime ago,” she replied, trying to maintain her composure. “What are you doing here, Draven?”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his gaze never leaving hers. “Just catching up with your mother. I’m still invested in this town, and your family is important to me.”

“Important? Or just a convenient way to keep an eye on me?” she shot back, the sharpness in her voice surprising even herself.

“Touché,” he said, a hint of admiration lacing his tone. “But let’s be honest, Eris. You’re hard to forget.”

Her mother seemed oblivious to their underlying tension, chatting about old times and reminiscing about her daughter’s childhood. But Eris felt trapped, the air thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. She knew she couldn’t let Draven back into her life so easily.

“Thanks for stopping by, but I need to finish unpacking,” Eris said, trying to sound casual as she turned to leave.

“Eris,” Draven called, his voice low and commanding. “You can’t just walk away from me.”

She paused, her back still turned to him. “Watch me.”

Without waiting for a response, she hurried back upstairs, slamming the door behind her. The silence in her room was deafening, and she leaned against the door, trying to steady her racing heart. Why did he affect her this way? Why couldn’t she just forget him?

As she lay in bed that night, sleep eluding her, the haunting memories flooded her mind—their late-night talks, the way he made her laugh, the kisses that had once set her soul on fire. She gripped her pillow tightly, fighting the urge to reach out and tell him everything she was feeling.

But deep down, she knew the truth: getting involved with Draven again was a risk she couldn’t afford to take.

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