Emily's POV"Which of these would you like?" the saleswoman asked, her smile wide and enthusiastic. I was a bit taken aback by her enthusiasm, and I didn't know what to say. I had no idea what to choose, or even how to begin. "Your fiance, Ethan, is a very handsome and wealthy man," the saleswoman said, her voice almost a whisper. "I'm sure many girls would kill to be in your shoes." I felt a knot in my stomach, not knowing how to respond to her. I didn't want to be rude, but I also didn't want to give her the wrong idea."You're really lucky," she continued. "Your boyfriend is very generous, and he has excellent taste." I felt even more embarrassed at her assumption that he was my boyfriend. I wasn't sure how to correct her, so I just remained silent."I think you should try on the navy blue dress." Her enthusiasm coming back. "It will match perfectly with your fiance's pants." I felt like I was stuck in an awkward situation, not knowing how to get out of it. I looked at her, a pu
Emily's POVI nodded at the lady, unable to muster up the energy to speak. I had a tired look on my face, and I was starting to feel exhausted. The hairstylist worked on my hair for what felt like an eternity. Finally, she was done, and I was ready to face the night ahead.I took a deep breath and stood up from the chair. I went out to where Ethan was standing, feeling nervous about his reaction. I looked at him, and I was surprised to see a look of amazement on his face. I couldn't help but blush at his reaction. It was the first time I had seen him look at me with anything other than contempt."Y-you look good." he stammered, looking a bit flustered. I couldn't help but smile at his reaction. I was feeling flattered and a bit giddy at the same time. "Thank you." I felt a little shy. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, feeling a bit flustered.We went to the counter, and he paid for the services. I couldn't help but feel a bit guilty at the cost. I knew he must have spent a f
Emily's POVThe other woman, who seemed to be in her early sixties, turned to Ethan and said, "Your wife is so pretty!" She hugged me, and I started to feel a bit overwhelmed by all the attention. "You guys fit perfectly together," she said with a big smile. "I can't wait for your first child!" I was taken aback by her comment, and I couldn't help but feel a bit flustered.Ethan let out an uncomfortable cough, clearly not enjoying the conversation. "Okay, Mom and Aunt, we would love to go sit down now." He tried to change the subject. "Okay, my darling," the woman who seemed to be in her late fifties said, still smiling widely. That was his mom? I was surprised - I hadn't expected her to be so sweet. She was the complete opposite of Ethan, who seemed cold and distant. I waved goodbye to them, and we headed to our seats. I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief as we sat down."I'll go get us a drink," Ethan said, his demeanor completely different from earlier. He was being a lot
Emily's POVI was now sitting at the table with Liam's date, and I was uncomfortable. She kept staring at me, and it was making me feel self-conscious and awkward. I didn't know what to say to her, and I just wanted to get out of there.The silence was broken by her words, "I didn't expect Ethan to settle down for someone like you." I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment, and I didn't know how to respond. I just sat there, feeling humiliated and small."What do you mean by 'someone like me?'" I asked her, trying to sound brave and confident. But inside, I was feeling completely insecure. I felt like I was being judged and found wanting."You know." She looked at me up and down with a disgusted look on her face. I felt like I was being appraised and found lacking. She was being so rude, and I couldn't understand why. I hadn't done anything to offend her, so why was she acting this way?Before I knew it, Liam's speech was over, and I hadn't even registered what he had said. My mind
Ethan's POVI couldn't take it anymore. I had to get out of there. I got into my car with Emily and drove home, my mind reeling from the events of the night. It had been worse than I could have imagined, and I was exhausted. I just wanted to go home and forget about the whole thing.I sped down the road, my anger boiling over. I didn't care about the rules of the road or the consequences of my actions. I just wanted to get home and be alone with my thoughts. I was fuming, and I could feel my pulse racing.All I wanted to do was smash something against the wall, to release my anger and frustration. I knew it was an irrational thought, but I couldn't help it. I felt like I was losing control, and I was scared of what I might do.The worst part was that Ava had shown up, making everything even more complicated. I couldn't believe that Liam had invited her to the dinner, and I was furious that she had ruined the whole night. I couldn't help but wonder what her motives were, and why she ha
Emily's POVThe doctor stood up and said, "I'll leave you two to get some rest. I'll check back in on you in a little while." She smiled at us and left the room, closing the door behind her. Ethan sat down next to the bed and took my hand in mine. "Are you okay?" His voice was soft and gentle."I'm so sorry." His voice was full of emotion. "I didn't mean to lash out like that. I was just so upset and heartbroken. I know it's no excuse, but I hope you can understand." He kept my head down."It's not a problem."My voice was kind and understanding. "I think I understand." I looked into his eyes, and I felt something stirring inside me. A strange mix of emotions washed over me, and I couldn't quite identify what it was."I don't think I will be discharged tonight, the doctor said she is going to keep me here overnight and start me on some IV fluids. Just to make sure I'm hydrated and my body has the fluids it needs to heal." "Okay. I'll be right back. I will head to the front desk to
Emily's POVEthan left the room, and I was left alone with my thoughts. The room was quiet, the silence was broken only by the thoughts swirling through my mind.I lay down on the bed, staring up at the white ceiling. My thoughts drifted to Liam, and I wondered what he was doing right now. was I just a passing fancy, or did he care about me as much as I cared about him? The thoughts raced through my mind, and I found myself lost in a sea of uncertainty.My phone started ringing, breaking the silence of the room. I looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Olivia. I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to talk to her. What did she want? I took a deep breath and answered the phone, but I said nothing. I just waited for Olivia to speak first. "What do you think you're doing, Emily?" Olivia asked, her voice high and sharp. I could tell she was angry, but I didn't care. I was tired of tiptoeing around her, afraid of upsetting her. I was ready to say what I needed to say, no matter the consequ
I lay in bed, my phone in my hand. I reread the texts between me and Liam, and my mind kept wandering to the memory of the girl he brought to dinner. The kiss we shared also kept playing in my head, confusing me even more. I had the urge to dial his number, to talk to him and make sense of everything. But I didn't want to come across as too desperate or needy. I didn't want to seem like I was forcing myself on him, or trying to make him like me. I just wanted to understand what was going on. As I lay there in bed, I thought about all the times Liam had made me smile, even when I was feeling down. But now I felt confused, and I didn't know what to make of him. My mind was a jumble of thoughts, and I was exhausted. Before I knew it, I had drifted off to sleep. ********** I woke up to the sound of my phone's alarm, and when I looked at the time, I was shocked to see it was already 10 am. I hadn't intended to sleep that long, but it felt like I needed it. I stretched, feeling a bit
Ethan's POV I stepped out and saw Emily in the living room. "Is there a problem?" I asked, concern etched on my face. "I was hearing loud voices.”I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. "An unexpected visitor?" I repeated, my voice gentle. I took a step closer to Emily, trying to get her to meet my gaze. "Everything okay?" I asked, my tone softening."There isn't," she said, her gaze drifting away from mine. Her voice was laced with a hint of tension, and I could sense that she was hiding something.I nodded, taking note of the subtle change in Emily's demeanor. "Olivia's back," she announced, her voice neutral. I couldn't help but think of my own unwanted visitor. But my attention was quickly refocused on Emily, and the hint of unease that lingered beneath her composed exterior.She cleared her throat nervously. "I was about to inform you... I will be leaving this morning." Those words made my heart drop."Just wait until after dinner, then," I said, trying to sound casual. But E
EMILY'S POV I rushed back, my footsteps silent on the stairs as I watched him walk away. His eyes sparkled with a love so true as he confirmed his love for Olivia. My heart shattered into a million pieces as I realized the painful truth: he was in love, and he had always been in love. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I felt my world crumbling around me. My box of emotions was overflowing, and I couldn't hold back the sorrow anymore.I was already packed, my bags stood silently in the shadows, a poignant reminder of the decision I'd made. Immediately after dinner, I would be leaving him forever. The thought was razor-sharp, cutting through my heart like a knife. I felt a chill run down my spine as I contemplated the finality of it all - the end of our relationship, the end of our life together.Tomorrow was a day of conflicting desires. A part of me yearned for its arrival, eager to escape the anguish that had become my reality. I longed to leave behind the shattered remain
Ethan's POVI found myself drawn to her room, compelled to gaze into her eyes. Their piercing beauty had a calming effect on my frazzled nerves. I stood there, mesmerized, unsure of what to say to her. Our time together was fleeting, and soon we'd be parting ways forever. In the precious moments I had left, I couldn't help but indulge in the beauty of her gorgeous eyes.I retreated to my bedroom, seeking solace in the familiar comfort of my bed. As I lay down, I stretched out my muscles, trying to release the tension that had been building up inside me. But despite my efforts to relax, my heart remained heavy with pain.My heart ached with the weight of inaction. I yearned to fight for what I desired, but the risk of vulnerability held me back. The fear of being shattered once more, of enduring an everlasting pain, kept my emotions in check. My mind screamed to take a stand, to seize what was mine, but the terror of heartbreak silenced my resolve, leaving me paralyzed and torn.The sh
EMILY'S POV Liam's eyes darted around the space, his gaze lingering on every corner as if expecting someone to emerge from the shadows before finally settling on me to ask, "Did Ava speak harshly to you?” “No,” I replied, my voice firm so he couldn't see right through me, but unfortunately he did because I met a skeptical look on his face. “Emily,” he called, his voice gentle as always, "Are you hiding anything from me?" he added. His eyes locked on mine with an intense gaze. “I'm not.” I needed to be out of her. My body was here, but my mind and soul were with someone who cared least about me. I realized at that moment I was in love with Ethan. I had always known that, but what I just discovered was the connection between me and Liam-Lust. I didn't know how to put it. I didn't know how to tell him why I was giddy with excitement whenever he was around. It wasn't because I loved him; it was because I wanted to escape the sad reality of unrequited love. “Emily,” I snapped out o
Ethan's POVI watched from a distance as Liam's car pulled away from the curb, a mixture of curiosity and unease swirling in my chest. I had specifically warned Emily to keep our arrangement private, and yet, here she was, meeting with...him. I narrowed my eyes, my mind racing with possibilities. What were they discussing? And why did Emily feel the need to sneak around behind my back? I made a mental note to confront Liam about this later, my eyes never leaving the fading tail lights of his car.The anger simmered beneath my surface, a slow-burning fire that threatened to consume me. I couldn't believe she would kiss me, pretend to have feelings for me, when all along she was still entangled with Liam. The thought was a bitter pill to swallow, and I felt my jaw clenched in frustration. I wasn't used to feeling this way about anyone, especially not a woman. My usual detachment, my ability to remain aloof, had been breached, and it was a disconcerting feeling.I stood in front of the s
EMILY’S POVI felt a surge of anger and frustration towards Ethan, mixed with a strong dose of self-loathing for the desire I still felt for him. It was a toxic combination that left me feeling raw and exposed.I hated how my heart went crazy whenever Ethan was near. The skipping beats and nervous flutters were a dead giveaway to the feelings I was trying to suppress.I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't notice Liam standing there, and I ended up bumping into him.Liam raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile on his face. "Hey, looks like I've got Miss Clumsy back in the building."I attempted to muster a smile, but my heart wasn't in it. The pain and turmoil I'd been feeling lingered, making it impossible for me to feign happiness.Liam's eyes locked onto mine, and he could tell something was off. "Hey, is everything okay?" he asked, his voice soft with concern."No, I'm good," I said, trying to downplay my emotions. But Liam wasn't buying it. He kept looking at me with that c
EMILY’S POVI opened my eyes to find the sun shining brightly through the window, its rays piercing my eyes.I rubbed my temples, trying to get rid of the annoying headache that had settled in.I stood up, stretching my arms and legs. I headed to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and splashed some water on my face. The cool water helped me relax.I looked in the mirror, and my eyes widened as I remembered what had happened last night. The memories came rushing back, and I felt a mix of emotions.A wave of panic washed over me as I struggled to recall the events of the previous night. "What did I do?" I whispered to myself, my mind racing with fragmented memories. I rubbed my temples again, trying to massage away the throbbing pain as more visions flashed through my mind.My fingers drifted to my lips, and I was instantly transported back to the moment when Ethan's lips had touched mine. The sensation still lingered, a gentle tingling that seemed to echo through every nerve ending.I
Ethan's POV The ceremony went off without any major hitches, although there were a few dramatic moments that kept things interesting.Tonight was different, however. As I watched Ava and Liam together, I was surprised to find that the familiar pangs of sadness and disappointment were noticeably absent.I felt a deep sense of gratitude that the bitter emotions I had long harbored had finally begun to dissipate.Emily and I headed to the nightclub for a meeting with Don Sacrum, a prominent investor. Unconventional as it may seem, Don consistently preferred conducting business in such settings. His reputation preceded him, and I made it a point to be available at his beck and call, regardless of the hour.As the son of a renowned billionaire, Don Sacrum had inherited a vast fortune following his father's passing a few months prior.I glanced over at Emily, noticing a look of discomfort on her face. Seeking to alleviate her unease, I gently took her small hand in mine, offering a reassur
Emily's POV Ava's smile was a thin, cruel line. "Don't play dumb," she sneered. "I know all about the way Ethan looks at you now. The way he hangs on your every word."Ava's words hung in the air, her implication clear. I felt a surge of indignation, but I kept my tone level. "I don't know what you're insinuating, Ava," I said, "but I assure you, nothing is going on between Ethan and me."Ava's smile was a cold, calculated thing. "Even if there is something between you and Ethan," she said, her voice dripping with malice, "I promise you, it's coming to an end soon."Ava's gaze flicked to my ears, her eyes narrowing as she gestured to the earrings. "Those belong to me," she stated, her tone cold and possessive.I turned to Ava, my gaze locking onto hers. "What belongs to you?" I asked, my voice even and measured."Those earrings," she replied, her voice firm, her eyes never leaving mine."I think you must be mistaken," I said, my tone polite but firm. "Those earrings couldn't possibly