Chapter 2 - The Secret Cracks
Mia slipped out of Ethan’s penthouse just after midnight. The cool night air hit her flushed skin as she stepped onto the street, the city alive around her but feeling like a distant hum. She adjusted her jacket, pulling it tighter around her body as if it could shield her from the guilt that crept in every time she left Ethan. She told herself it would get easier—the lying, the hiding—but it never did.
Her phone buzzed again in her hand. Liam. Guilt twisted her stomach as she glanced down at the message: Miss you. Let’s talk tomorrow?
She should be excited to see Liam. He was the perfect boyfriend, the kind of guy any girl would be lucky to have. But all she felt was the dull ache of obligation. She could still feel Ethan’s hands on her skin, his lips against hers. Every time she was with him, it was like the rest of the world faded away, and she hated how much she craved that feeling.
Pushing thoughts of Liam aside, she walked quickly toward her apartment, her mind racing. How much longer could she keep this up? She couldn’t deny that being with Ethan made her feel alive in ways that Liam never did. But how long before it all blew up in her face?
She turned the key in the lock of her apartment door, stepping inside the small space that suddenly felt suffocating. The silence was too much. She needed a distraction. Anything to drown out the thoughts that swirled in her head.
Her phone buzzed again, and this time it wasn’t Liam. It was Sophie.
“Are you up? Need to talk.”
Mia’s heart skipped a beat. Sophie was her best friend—had been since they were kids—but lately, their friendship felt strained. Mia had been pulling away, and she knew Sophie had noticed. How could she tell her best friend that the reason she was distant was because she was sleeping with Sophie’s father’s best friend? The thought alone made her stomach turn.
She typed a quick response: “Yeah, I’m up. What’s going on?”
Moments later, Sophie’s reply came in: “Can I come over?”
Mia hesitated, her heart pounding. She wasn’t ready to face Sophie, especially not after what just happened with Ethan. But she couldn’t keep avoiding her.
“Sure. Come over.”
As soon as the message sent, Mia’s pulse quickened. What if Sophie knew something? What if she had seen Mia and Ethan together? Mia shook the thought away. There was no way. They had been careful. No one knew.
Except for Liam, who was still in the dark about her late-night meetings with Ethan. And Sophie, who Mia had been dodging for weeks. It was all falling apart, and Mia didn’t know how to fix it.
Minutes later, Sophie arrived. Mia opened the door to find her friend standing there, arms crossed, looking more serious than usual. Sophie was always the life of the party, always the one to brighten up a room with her infectious energy. But tonight, something was off.
“Hey,” Sophie said, stepping inside without her usual smile.
Mia’s stomach knotted. “Hey. What’s up?”
Sophie dropped onto the couch, running her hands through her hair. “I… I need to talk to you about something. But I don’t know how to say it.”
Mia’s heart pounded harder in her chest. She forced herself to sit next to Sophie, her mind spinning with worst-case scenarios. “You can tell me anything,” Mia said, her voice steady despite the panic rising inside her.
Sophie bit her lip, glancing at Mia with an expression that made her insides twist. “It’s about… well, it’s about Ethan.”
Mia’s breath caught in her throat. Did Sophie know? Could she somehow have figured it out?
“What about him?” Mia asked, her voice shaky despite her best efforts to sound calm.
Sophie exhaled slowly, her eyes dropping to her hands. “Mia, something happened. I don’t know how to say this, but… I slept with him.”
Mia felt the blood drain from her face, her entire body freezing in place. The words hit her like a punch to the gut, knocking the air out of her lungs. Sophie… and Ethan?
Her mind reeled, struggling to process what she had just heard. “You… what?”
Sophie looked at her with wide, guilt-ridden eyes. “It happened a while ago, before you and Liam got together. I didn’t want to tell you because I was ashamed. But now… now it’s eating me up inside.”
Mia couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t think. All she could do was stare at Sophie, the truth unraveling in front of her like a nightmare she couldn’t escape. Ethan had been with Sophie?
The man she had been sneaking around with for months—the man who made her feel like she was the only one—had already been with her best friend.
“I’m sorry, Mia,” Sophie whispered, tears welling in her eyes. “I didn’t mean for it to happen. It was a mistake.”
Mia felt like she was going to be sick. Her hands trembled in her lap as the room seemed to close in on her. Everything was unraveling, faster than she could keep up.
Sophie reached for her hand, but Mia pulled away, standing abruptly. “I… I need a minute,” Mia stammered, backing away from the couch. She could feel her pulse pounding in her ears, her chest tightening with panic. How could Ethan have done this? How could Sophie?
“Mia, please,” Sophie begged. “I didn’t know how to tell you. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
Mia’s mind was spinning, a chaotic mess of emotions she couldn’t untangle. She needed to get out of there. She needed to think.
“I just… I need some air,” she said, grabbing her jacket and rushing toward the door, barely able to hold herself together long enough to make it outside.
The cold night air hit her face like a slap, but it did little to calm the storm raging inside her. She stumbled down the steps of her apartment building, her thoughts racing in a million different directions. Sophie had slept with Ethan. Her best friend, the one person she had trusted with everything. And Ethan…
What else had he lied about?
Mia felt the walls closing in around her as she walked aimlessly through the quiet streets, her mind replaying Sophie’s confession over and over again. She had been so sure of Ethan, so convinced that what they had was different. But now? Now she didn’t know what to believe.
Her phone buzzed in her hand, and she glanced down to see Ethan’s name flash across the screen.
“Miss me already?” the message read.
Mia’s hand shook as she stared at the text, her stomach churning with a mix of anger and hurt. She wanted to throw the phone, to scream, to forget that any of this had ever happened. But she couldn’t. Not now. Not when everything she thought she knew was falling apart around her.
Chapter 3 – Torn ApartMia didn’t know how long she walked. The streets were quiet at this hour, empty except for the occasional car passing by, headlights cutting through the night. Her thoughts were anything but quiet. Sophie’s confession echoed in her mind, gnawing at her from the inside. It wasn’t just the betrayal—it was the fact that Ethan had been with Sophie first. He never told her, never hinted at it, and now Mia couldn’t shake the feeling that she had been played.What else had Ethan kept from her?She wandered toward the park, the one where she and Sophie used to hang out when they were kids. They had shared everything once—secrets, laughter, dreams of the future. Now it felt like everything had been a lie.Mia stopped at one of the benches, collapsing onto the cold metal. She buried her face in her hands, trying to breathe, but the suffocating weight of it all made her feel like she was drowning.Her phone buzzed again, Ethan’s name flashing across the screen once more. S
Chapter 4 – Fractured BondsMia couldn’t sleep. The weight of everything pressed down on her chest, making it impossible to relax. Ethan’s betrayal, Sophie’s secret, her own lies to Liam—it all swirled in her mind like a storm she couldn’t escape. She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying Ethan’s words over and over.“You’re not just another girl.”But that’s exactly how she felt now. Like she had been one in a long line of women to fall for his charms, to get swept up in the fantasy of being with someone older, more experienced. Someone who could make her feel things she never thought possible. And now, the fantasy was crumbling.When morning came, Mia pulled herself out of bed, her body heavy with exhaustion. She had agreed to meet Sophie today, but the thought of facing her friend made her stomach churn. How could she even begin to talk about what had happened?As she showered and dressed, she tried to steel herself for the conversation ahead. Sophie was her best friend
Chapter 5 – Shadows of the Past Mia stood frozen in Ethan’s penthouse, her heart pounding. She didn’t know how to move forward from here. Ethan’s eyes searched hers, waiting for her to say something—anything—that would break the suffocating silence between them. “Do you really think I can just forget everything?” Mia asked, her voice trembling. “You kept something from me, Ethan. You slept with Sophie, my best friend, and you didn’t think that mattered?” Ethan sighed heavily, running a hand through his dark hair. His frustration was evident, but Mia could see the guilt in his eyes. “It wasn’t like that, Mia. What happened with Sophie was before you and I… It didn’t mean anything.” “It doesn’t matter when it happened,” Mia said, her voice rising. “The fact that you didn’t tell me means you were hiding it.” “I didn’t want to hurt you,” Ethan said softly, stepping closer. “I was trying to protect us. What I feel for you—what we have—it’s real.” Mia’s chest tightened. She wanted to b
CHAPTER 6: SEX ON A STICKMIA“Are you going somewhere?” Liam inquired, after seeing me all dressed up.It wasn't my intention to wake him up. I was planning on just leaving quietly but somehow, he heard my movements. I blinked multiple times, thinking of excuses I could use to get out of there. I didn't want him to feel bad that I was leaving him in the middle of the night, but I also didn't want to keep Ethan waiting.“Um…I have to go. There's an emergency,” I lied.He rubbed his eyes, sitting up to look at me. “I don't get it, Mia. Didn't you just arrive here? Why are you leaving again?” He complained, watching me wear my shoes.I bit my lips, thinking of another excuse to tell him. “I…I have to be home. Dad would be home from his business trip, and I don't want him asking about my whereabouts.”It wasn't a lie entirely; my dad was on a business trip, and I wanted to be the first to greet him upon his arrival. Liam didn't ask any further questions but I could tell that he was very
Chapter 7: Sweet thing MIA *A WEEK LATER* This past week has been great so far. Liam and I decided to take things slow, although I still had my sexcapades with Ethan, my father already returned from his trip so I was able to take a breather, away from him for a while. I sat in the living room, binge watching my favorite series. I was so lost in it that I didn't realize when someone walked in. I noticed some movement but didn't bother looking up. It was probably one of the maids who went out for groceries. “Hey sweet thing,” I heard that familiar voice. My blood turned cold in an instant. I thought he wasn't going to show up until my dad has gone . What was he doing here? I didn't dare look up at him. I was scared of what he'd do to me. He laughed, making his way towards me. “Is this what we've come too? Are you ignoring me and acting like I don't even exist?” He retorted. I swallowed my saliva, taking deep breaths. “Welcome back, Ethan,” I replied, trying hard to act casual.
Chapter 8: Some kind of fetish?MIA“W–What do you want?” I managed to ask. My voice was cracking and barely audible but somehow he had been able to make do with my incoherent words.He smirked. “I want to touch you,” he revealed.My breath hitched and the thought of my Ethan touching me made me feel elated, I had missed him. It's not like I didn't want Liam to touch me either but I got so attracted to him that I couldn't help it.He waited for my response and when he got none he brought out his phone again. “Do you want me to call a Uber and leave instead?” He threatened, his middle finger close to the send button.“No,” I responded quickly. “You can touch me but can it be some other time? I'm just trying to process everything. I miss you Ethan, but I'm also scared and I don't trust you like I used to.” I pleaded.He had some type of emotion on his face. It was something that I couldn't quite put my fingers on. “You are still thinking about her but I can assure you that you're differ
CHAPTER 9: You're my number one youngsterMIA I shot him a glare, trying to make sure that my dad didn't notice what was going on between us. My dad could catch a glimpse, and I'm sure he'd kill him, burn his body to ashes, and flush those ashes down the toilet. I managed to get him to remove his hands from my lap. “Are you okay there, pumpkin?” Dad inquired and I nodded in response.I forced up a smile, “Yeah, I'm fine,” I lied.“The Chinese food is just so good. It's been so long since I've had Chinese, and that too, with my two favorite people,” I responded.Dad was elated by my statement. “It's been so long since we've been together like this. I've been so busy that I want to enjoy every weekend with you.”I nodded in response. I missed spending time with Dad; his company was working on a new project that they were about to launch, and he's been occupied lately.We made a few small talk; Dad told me about his trip, which I was excited to hear. I noticed that Ethan was quiet toni
Chapter 10: Killing two birds...LIAM I caressed her stomach softly, trying to make sure that she didn't wake up. Ever since we got together, I just wanted to do whatever I could to make her happy. She deserved the whole world and I was willing to give her that.She had been annoyed the previous night that I tried to contact her. But I was just upset and was only looking after her. We made up and spent the night together soon after.She stirred in her sleep and I could tell that the little caresses I was giving her were jolting her back to reality. She looked up at me and she had a smile on her face. She couldn't look cuter anymore and I wanted to kiss her so very badly."Good morning," I greeted and pecked her on the lips and then on her tummy.She giggled lightly and said, "That tickles."It was nice to see her smile and I certainly just didn't want the day to end at all. The way her eyes lit up the room, and I was sure that I could take her in my arms forever. I just wanted to be
Chapter 60: in her headMIAI stared at my phone for what felt like forever before finally dialing Sophie’s number. Our disagreement has escalated for long enough, I needed to sort out our issues. The ringtone echoed in my ears, and when she finally picked up, her tone was sharp and guarded. “What do you want again, Mia?” she snapped. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to remain calm. “Sophie, can we please talk? I hate how things have been between us.” “Oh, now you hate it? Funny, considering you didn’t think about that before betraying me.” she said, her words dripping with sarcasm. Her words stung, but I pushed through. “I didn’t betray you, Sophie. I’ve tried to explain so many times now…” I tried explaining.“Don’t, Just don’t, Mia. I don’t want to hear your excuses.” She said cutting me off.“Sophie, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I swear. I thought we could move past this.” I stated, gripping the edge of the counter, tapping my fingers while at it. “Move past this?” she
Chapter 59: At warJOHN EVANSI arrived home from my business trip feeling relieved, ready to unwind after a stressful trip filled with negotiations. The house was quiet, maybe a little too quiet, but I didn’t think much of it. Mia had probably gone out, and the staff knew better than to disturb me when I first got back.I poured myself a glass of scotch, savoring the warmth as it slid down my throat. Finally, a moment of peace. The moment I set the glass down, a thick envelope sitting on the edge of the dining table caught my eye. My stomach rumbled as I tore it open and I made a mental note to ask the maids to get me something to eat after I was done resting. The letter was short, formal, and straight to the point—Notice of Intent to Contest the Will. I read it twice, my pulse quickening and my grip on the paper tightened as the realization sunk in. Ethan was correct, so Greg was actually going through with it. After all the arguments, the blatant disrespect, the entitlement, he
Chapter 58: TherapySOPHIEThe walls of my therapist’s office were painted a calm shade of blue, but the peace that they were supposed to give only made me feel more on edge. Dr. Collins sat across from me, her pen placed over a notepad, her eyes patient. “So, Sophie,” she began, “How have you been faring emotionally since… everything?” she asked, her tone soft, almost too soft. “You mean since Jacob nearly killed me?” I snapped, crossing my arms, feeling the heat rise to my face“Yes, Sophie. Since that incident.” She responded, blinking but remaining calm.“I’m fine,” I said, my voice sharp and clipped. “Perfectly fine. Why does everyone keep asking me that? What do you want me to say? That I wake up in a cold sweat? That I hear his voice in my head? That I feel like I’m losing my mind?” I added, my jaw clenching.I hadn’t meant to spill so much, but the words just came out, I couldn't help it. “Sophie, it’s okay to feel this way. What happened to you was traumatic, and…” She
Chapter 57: Tiger gangETHAN “Hello Sam, any updates on Smith's case?” I asked my PI as soon as Cassandra left.“Nothing yet sir.” Sam responded, his voice low.“Okay, keep me posted, I have another job for you.” I chipped in, sitting in my study looking at Liam’s phone in my hand.“I need you to dig into this mess,” I added, handing him Liam’s phone and a folder containing the blackmail details Liam had provided. I had already gone through his phone and my patience had already worn thin since I didn't find anything tangible, then I decided it was time to involve someone competent.“I’ll get on it right away.” Sam nodded, his expression neutral as always.“Good,” I said curtly. “Call me if you find anything.” After Sam left, I decided to visit my aunt Margaret. She’d been adjusting well since coming out of her coma, but I still liked to check on her. I drove to her house and found her in the garden, tending to her flowers. “You look like you’ve gone through hell and back.” she
Chapter 56: Freedom at last!LIAMI stared at the untouched glass of whiskey on the coffee table, the thought of my mistakes pressing down on me. Ethan hadn’t called with any updates, and the longer I waited, the more I felt like a trapped animal. Mia already told me to stop looking for the money so it won't get to my dad's ears since I didn't want him to know.The faint sound of a knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts. I hesitated before answering, hoping it was Mia with good news. Instead, it was Sophie. Her presence was so unsettling, what was she doing here again? She walked in without waiting for an invitation, her eyes scanning my scattered living room. “We need to talk,” she said, her voice dripping with confidence. “Sophie, this isn’t a good time,” I said, pinching the bridge of my nose. She ignored me, settling onto the arm of the couch. “I think it’s the perfect time.” I knew where this was going, and I wanted no part of it. “What happened last time…” “W
Chapter 55: Fuck these emotionsETHANI stood in front of Mia's door, hands stuffed in my pockets, waiting for her to open the door after I rang the doorbell. John was out of town. Thankfully, I confirmed it from him before making this unannounced visit.It wasn’t a habit of mine to barge into someone’s house uninvited, but I didn't want to call Mia and tell her about my plans of taking her out because I was sure that she would say no and be dismissive of me also, if I was being honest with myself—I wanted to see her. When the door opened, Mia appeared in front of me, her hair tied up in a messy bun, wearing a loose sweater and shorts. “Ethan? What are you doing here?” She asked surprised, her hazel eyes narrowing slightly as looked at me. “You owe me remember,” I said simply, stepping forward.Her eyebrows shot up. “I owe you?” she echoed, folding her arms. “For helping your boyfriend, so, I’m here to get what you owe. Go get dressed. We’re going out.” I said smoothly, my voice
Chapter 54: Coup d'étatGREG EVANSThe thought of John getting everything I ever wanted made my blood boil. It always had. Ever since we were kids, he was the golden son—our father’s favorite, the one who could do no wrong. He was willed the whole estate and I was left with nothing but I'll reclaim everything that belonged to me. John thought I was gone—back abroad, back in hiding but I just stayed away from him and his daughter. I'm still in the city and I'll get what was mine.I adjusted my tie, smirking at my reflection in the elevator mirror. I was heading to Ryan Williams’s office, John’s sworn enemy. A man like me had no business colluding with someone like him, but desperate times called for strategic alliances.Ryan hated John as much as I did—maybe more. The elevator dinged, and I stepped into the floor leading to Ryan's office. Thankfully it wasn't on the same floor as John’s office. As soon as I got to his office his secretary led me in. Ryan was sitting behind a massiv
Chapter 53: Not for longETHAN I sat at my desk in the study as the morning sun streamed in from the window flipping through files absentmindedly, but my thoughts were miles away. Mia. She was becoming a distraction that I hadn't found a way to get rid of. The more I thought about her, the more determined I became to have her. Not just for a night, but completely. I wanted her trust, her time, her attention, her everything. And that made me agitated. I was thinking of my next move when my phone rang on the desk. Mia’s name lit up the screen. Speaking of the devil.“Hello, Mia,” I answered smoothly, leaning back in my chair. “Ethan, I need a favor.” she said, her voice hesitant but urgent. That immediately had my interest. “A favor? That's pretty interesting. What kind of favor?” “It’s about Liam,” she began. My jaw tightened at the mention of her boyfriend, but I kept my voice calm. “Go on.” “He’s… in trouble. He’s being blackmailed, and he needs help.” She explained, h
Chapter 52: Investment?MIAImmediately I ended the call, I got dressed and left for Liam’s place. He has been acting strangely and I have been suspicious but I couldn't act because of all I've been through these past few days.Liam asking me for five million dollars had only added to my growing anxiety. What kind of investment could possibly require such a ridiculous amount of money? Plus Liam has always relied on his Dad what will make him want to invest all of a sudden.I knocked on his door, shifting from foot to foot. When it finally opened, Liam stood there, his face pale and drawn. His hair was in a mess, and he reeked of alcohol.“Mia, you really came, I didn't think you were serious.” He said, sounding surprised but not entirely happy to see me. “Hey, I’m worried about you, Liam. You’ve been acting strange lately.” I replied softly, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. He sighed heavily, closing the door behind me. “I’m fine.” I turned to face him, crossin