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2025-03-23 06:21:06
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Bouquet Of Deception 58
58EthanI woke up to an empty bed.The warmth that had been wrapped around me all night was gone, replaced by cool sheets and a faint scent of him lingering in the air.My stomach clenched. Had he left?I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and glanced at the clock on my nightstand. 6 a.m.Shit.I threw off the covers, pushing past the dull ache in my body. Riley hadn’t exactly gone easy on me last night, and I was feeling it. But there was no time to dwell on that—not when I needed to get ready for work.Still, my chest felt weirdly tight. I hadn’t expected him to stay, but waking up alone stung more than I wanted to admit.With a sigh, I swung my legs over the bed and got up. First things first—I needed water. My throat was dry as hell, and if I was gonna survive the day, I needed something to wake me up.I padded barefoot into the kitchen, running a hand through my messy hair. My brain was still catching up to the fact that it was morning when I rounded the corner—And froze.
Last Updated : 2025-03-23Bouquet Of Deception 59
59EthanI left the kitchen before Riley could see just how much his words affected me.I shouldn’t care that he was still here.I shouldn’t want him to stay.But I did.I stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind me with a deep breath. Focus, Ethan. I needed to get my head straight before work, not stand around analyzing every little thing Riley said or did.I turned on the shower, stepping under the hot spray with a sigh. The warmth eased some of the soreness in my muscles, but it did nothing to clear my mind.I kept thinking about him. About last night.About the way he touched me—like he wasn’t just claiming my body but something more.I shook my head, pushing the thought away. Riley wasn’t like that. This was nothing.Just a one-time thing.Even if he had stayed.Even if he was making pancakes in my kitchen.Even if—I groaned, tilting my head back under the water. I was losing it.After washing up, I turned off the shower and wrapped a towel around my waist before headi
Last Updated : 2025-03-23Bouquet Of Deception 60
60 Riley I watched Ethan disappear into the building, my fingers still gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary. I shouldn’t have said anything. But the thought of him walking into work like it was just another normal day—like he didn’t have a goddamn clue what was coming—made my stomach churn. I exhaled sharply, drumming my fingers against the wheel. I should leave. Drive off, go to work, pretend none of this was my problem. But it was my problem. Because Ethan—stubborn, oblivious Ethan—had no idea what he was walking into. And that was dangerous. I glanced at my phone, the screen lighting up with a notification. Unknown Number: You were warned, Riley. I clenched my jaw. Of course, I had been. But warnings never stopped me before. With a sigh, I put the car in gear, pulling away from the curb. But instead of heading to work, I took a different route. I needed to check something first. And I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like what I found
Last Updated : 2025-03-24Bouquet Of Deception 61
61 Riley I watched Ethan disappear into the building, my fingers still gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary. I shouldn’t have said anything. But the thought of him walking into work like it was just another normal day—like he didn’t have a goddamn clue what was coming—made my stomach churn. I exhaled sharply, drumming my fingers against the wheel. I should leave. Drive off, go to work, pretend none of this was my problem. But it was my problem. Because Ethan—stubborn, oblivious Ethan—had no idea what he was walking into. And that was dangerous. I glanced at my phone, the screen lighting up with a notification. Unknown Number: You were warned, Riley. I clenched my jaw. Of course, I had been. But warnings never stopped me before. With a sigh, I put the car in gear, pulling away from the curb. But instead of heading to work, I took a different route. I needed to check something first. And I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like what I foun
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Bouquet Of Deception 62
61 Ethan I watched Ethan disappear into the building, my fingers still gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary. I shouldn’t have said anything. But the thought of him walking into work like it was just another normal day—like he didn’t have a goddamn clue what was coming—made my stomach churn. I exhaled sharply, drumming my fingers against the wheel. I should leave. Drive off, go to work, pretend none of this was my problem. But it was my problem. Because Ethan—stubborn, oblivious Ethan—had no idea what he was walking into. And that was dangerous. I glanced at my phone, the screen lighting up with a notification. Unknown Number: You were warned, Riley. I clenched my jaw. Of course, I had been. But warnings never stopped me before. With a sigh, I put the car in gear, pulling away from the curb. But instead of heading to work, I took a different route. I needed to check something first. And I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like what I found. — The place
Last Updated : 2025-03-26Bouquet Of Deception 63
59 Ethan I left the kitchen before Riley could see just how much his words affected me. I shouldn’t care that he was still here. I shouldn’t want him to stay. But I did. I stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind me with a deep breath. Focus, Ethan. I needed to get my head straight before work, not stand around analyzing every little thing Riley said or did. I turned on the shower, stepping under the hot spray with a sigh. The warmth eased some of the soreness in my muscles, but it did nothing to clear my mind. I kept thinking about him. About last night. About the way he touched me—like he wasn’t just claiming my body but something more. I shook my head, pushing the thought away. Riley wasn’t like that. This was nothing. Just a one-time thing. Even if he had stayed. Even if he was making pancakes in my kitchen. Even if— I groaned, tilting my head back under the water. I was losing it. After washing up, I turned off the shower and wrapped a towel around my wa
Last Updated : 2025-03-27Bouquet Of Deception 64
61 Ethan I watched Ethan disappear into the building, my fingers still gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary. I shouldn’t have said anything. But the thought of him walking into work like it was just another normal day—like he didn’t have a goddamn clue what was coming—made my stomach churn. I exhaled sharply, drumming my fingers against the wheel. I should leave. Drive off, go to work, pretend none of this was my problem. But it was my problem. Because Ethan—stubborn, oblivious Ethan—had no idea what he was walking into. And that was dangerous. I glanced at my phone, the screen lighting up with a notification. Unknown Number: You were warned, Riley. I clenched my jaw. Of course, I had been. But warnings never stopped me before. With a sigh, I put the car in gear, pulling away from the curb. But instead of heading to work, I took a different route. I needed to check something first. And I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like what I fou
Last Updated : 2025-03-28Bouquet Of Deception 65
61 Ethan I watched Ethan disappear into the building, my fingers still gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary. I shouldn’t have said anything. But the thought of him walking into work like it was just another normal day—like he didn’t have a goddamn clue what was coming—made my stomach churn. I exhaled sharply, drumming my fingers against the wheel. I should leave. Drive off, go to work, pretend none of this was my problem. But it was my problem. Because Ethan—stubborn, oblivious Ethan—had no idea what he was walking into. And that was dangerous. I glanced at my phone, the screen lighting up with a notification. Unknown Number: You were warned, Riley. I clenched my jaw. Of course, I had been. But warnings never stopped me before. With a sigh, I put the car in gear, pulling away from the curb. But instead of heading to work, I took a different route. I needed to check something first. And I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like what I found. — The place
Last Updated : 2025-03-29
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Bouquet Of Deception 79
35 Riley Ethan was avoiding me. Not obviously—not in a way that anyone else would notice—but I knew. He was quieter than usual. Fidgety. Kept his eyes on the TV but wasn’t actually watching. His fingers tapped against his knee like his thoughts were running too fast, like he couldn’t settle. And most importantly? He wasn’t looking at me. Not really. Which was funny, considering how, just minutes ago, he’d been pulling me down on top of him like he wanted me to ruin him. I smirked at the thought, shifting on the couch, letting my arm drape over the back of it—casual, easy. Ethan didn’t move away, but he didn’t lean into it, either. Interesting. “You’re thinking too much again,” I murmured, voice low. He tensed, a flicker of something crossing his face. “Am not.” I chuckled. “Liar.” That got me a glare, but it was half-hearted at best. His lips parted like he wanted to say something else, but then he stopped himself, shaking his head and focusing back on the screen. Right. T
Bouquet Of Deception 78
7866 59 Ethan I left the kitchen before Riley could see just how much his words affected me. I shouldn’t care that he was still here. I shouldn’t want him to stay. But I did. I stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind me with a deep breath. Focus, Ethan. I needed to get my head straight before work, not stand around analyzing every little thing Riley said or did. I turned on the shower, stepping under the hot spray with a sigh. The warmth eased some of the soreness in my muscles, but it did nothing to clear my mind. I kept thinking about him. About last night. About the way he touched me—like he wasn’t just claiming my body but something more. I shook my head, pushing the thought away. Riley wasn’t like that. This was nothing. Just a one-time thing. Even if he had stayed. Even if he was making pancakes in my kitchen. Even if— I groaned, tilting my head back under the water. I was losing it. After washing up, I turned off the shower and wrapp
Bouquet Of Deception 77
66 59 Ethan I left the kitchen before Riley could see just how much his words affected me. I shouldn’t care that he was still here. I shouldn’t want him to stay. But I did. I stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind me with a deep breath. Focus, Ethan. I needed to get my head straight before work, not stand around analyzing every little thing Riley said or did. I turned on the shower, stepping under the hot spray with a sigh. The warmth eased some of the soreness in my muscles, but it did nothing to clear my mind. I kept thinking about him. About last night. About the way he touched me—like he wasn’t just claiming my body but something more. I shook my head, pushing the thought away. Riley wasn’t like that. This was nothing. Just a one-time thing. Even if he had stayed. Even if he was making pancakes in my kitchen. Even if— I groaned, tilting my head back under the water. I was losing it. After washing up, I turned off the shower and wrapped
Bouquet Of Deception 76
7666 59 Ethan I left the kitchen before Riley could see just how much his words affected me. I shouldn’t care that he was still here. I shouldn’t want him to stay. But I did. I stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind me with a deep breath. Focus, Ethan. I needed to get my head straight before work, not stand around analyzing every little thing Riley said or did. I turned on the shower, stepping under the hot spray with a sigh. The warmth eased some of the soreness in my muscles, but it did nothing to clear my mind. I kept thinking about him. About last night. About the way he touched me—like he wasn’t just claiming my body but something more. I shook my head, pushing the thought away. Riley wasn’t like that. This was nothing. Just a one-time thing. Even if he had stayed. Even if he was making pancakes in my kitchen. Even if— I groaned, tilting my head back under the water. I was losing it. After washing up, I turned off the shower and wrapp
Bouquet Of Deception 75
75 RileyI don’t even remember how I got back home.One minute, I was in the hospital, sitting beside Ethan, begging him to wake up. The next, I was standing in front of my apartment door, my whole body numb.I turned my head, and there it was—Ethan’s apartment.The door was closed, just like always. His name still on the small metal plate next to the number. Everything looked the same. But it wasn’t.He wasn’t inside, making his stupid protein shakes that smelled awful. He wasn’t blasting music way too early in the morning. He wasn’t there to throw open his door, grinning at me like I was the best part of his day.I choked on a sob.Fuck.Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled forward, pressing my hand against his door like maybe—maybe—I could feel something. Some warmth. Some trace of him.I felt nothing but cold wood.I hated this. I hated how weak I felt.I hated that I was crying.Had I become a girl now? Some pathetic, lovesick idiot who only realized what she wanted when it was
Bouquet Of Deception 74
74 RileyI don’t even remember how I got back home.One minute, I was in the hospital, sitting beside Ethan, begging him to wake up. The next, I was standing in front of my apartment door, my whole body numb.I turned my head, and there it was—Ethan’s apartment.The door was closed, just like always. His name still on the small metal plate next to the number. Everything looked the same. But it wasn’t.He wasn’t inside, making his stupid protein shakes that smelled awful. He wasn’t blasting music way too early in the morning. He wasn’t there to throw open his door, grinning at me like I was the best part of his day.I choked on a sob.Fuck.Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled forward, pressing my hand against his door like maybe—maybe—I could feel something. Some warmth. Some trace of him.I felt nothing but cold wood.I hated this. I hated how weak I felt.I hated that I was crying.Had I become a girl now? Some pathetic, lovesick idiot who only realized what she wanted when it was
Bouquet Of Deception 73
73 RileyI don’t know how long I stood there, staring at the door. Time had lost all meaning. The sterile scent of the hospital, the steady hum of machines, the distant murmur of doctors and nurses—it all blurred together, a numbing backdrop to the chaos inside my head.I should go back in. I should sit by his side and refuse to move until he woke up. But Ron’s words echoed in my mind, sharp and unforgiving.“This is your fault.”I pressed my hands against my temples, trying to block out the guilt clawing at my insides. Maybe if I had done things differently—if I had just let Ethan in instead of pushing him away—he wouldn’t have been in that car. Maybe he wouldn’t have been lying in that hospital bed, slipping further away with every second.A soft voice broke through my thoughts.“Riley?”I turned to see Ella standing in the doorway, her face blotchy from crying, her eyes rimmed with exhaustion. She looked small, fragile, like she could collapse at any moment.“He’s the same,” she m
Bouquet Of Deception 72
72 EthanI stared at him, my eyes blurry with tears I couldn’t hold back anymore. His face, pale and still, lay motionless beneath the harsh fluorescent lights, and for the first time, I realized how fragile he looked. A sharp pang of guilt twisted inside me, deep and painful.I had pushed him away. I had let him go when he was only trying to hold on. And now, here he was, fighting for his life—and I couldn’t do anything to help him.I brushed my fingers across his forehead, careful not to disturb the bandages. I didn’t want to hurt him more, even though the pain inside me was unbearable.“Please,” I whispered again, my voice shaking. “I need you to wake up.”The room was silent except for the steady beeping of the heart monitor, the rhythm of it almost mocking me, reminding me of how powerless I was.I thought about the words Ron had said—This is your fault. The anger in his voice had felt like a slap, each word hitting me harder than the last. I couldn’t argue with him. Not really.
Bouquet Of Deception 71
71 RileyI didn’t realize I had moved until my feet were following them, trailing just behind Ella and Ron as they walked stiffly toward the doctor. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, drowning out the beeping of monitors and the distant murmur of nurses’ voices. The air smelled of antiseptic and something metallic—blood, maybe. Ethan’s blood.Ella was shaking. Her hands were clenched together so tightly her knuckles were bone-white. Her breaths were uneven, quick and shallow, like she was trying to stop herself from breaking apart.Ron, on the other hand, was too still. His jaw was locked, his breathing harsh and uneven. His fury had momentarily cooled, but I could still feel it radiating off him in waves. He didn’t want me here.But I couldn’t leave.Not when Ethan was still behind those doors. Not when I still didn’t know if I had already lost him.The doctor led us down a sterile hallway, his white coat swishing slightly as he walked. His silence made my stomach twist with dread.
