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Chapter 21: Lines Blurred
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2025-03-22 15:38:53Vivian paced her bedroom, gripping her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. She shouldn’t have called Ethan last night. She shouldn’t have allowed herself to hear the raw pain in his voice, the desperation laced between his words. But she had. And now, she couldn’t stop thinking about him.
Her body ached with the weight of guilt, but underneath it, something darker simmered—an unshakable craving, a longing she didn’t dare name.
The next morning, she walked into the classroom, determined to keep things professional, to maintain the boundaries she had already shattered too many times. But when she saw Ethan sitting in the back, his eyes darker than usual, something inside her cracked.
He didn’t smirk. He didn’t flirt. He just watched her.
And that was so much worse.
The Tension Builds
The day passed in a blur of lectures and half-hearted distraction
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The Price of A Bet Chapter 22: The Walls Crumble
Vivian sat in her car, her breathing uneven, her fingers gripping the steering wheel as if letting go would send her spiraling. The classroom, the desk, Ethan’s hands on her—it all replayed in her mind in vivid detail. She had let it happen. She had wanted it to happen. And now, she didn’t know how to move forward without crossing the point of no return.Her phone vibrated, breaking through the chaos of her thoughts. A message from Ethan.Ethan: Tell me you don’t regret it.She squeezed her eyes shut. She should say yes. She should put an end to this before it went any further. But when she pictured his face, the way he had looked at her—not just with desire, but with something deeper—she hesitated.Her fingers hovered over the keyboard before she finally typed back: I don’t know.She stared at the screen, half-hoping he wouldn’t respond, but her phone
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-22The Price of A Bet Chapter 23: Giving In to the Fire
Vivian sat on the edge of Ethan’s couch, her hands resting on her lap, clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. The air in the apartment was thick with tension, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on both of them.Ethan stood a few feet away, watching her carefully, his jaw tight. He had expected her to run after what happened last night, to send him a message saying they had crossed a line and it would never happen again. But she was here. And that meant something.“Why did you come?” Ethan asked, his voice low and controlled, though his heart pounded against his ribs.Vivian inhaled deeply, struggling to find an answer that made sense. She had tried to fight this attraction, tried to remind herself that she was the teacher, and he was the student. But with every encounter, every glance, every moment where his fingertips brushed against her skin, she felt herself unraveling.“I don’t know,” she finally admitted, looking up at him. “I just... I can’t stop thinking about y
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-23The Price of A Bet Chapter 24: Aftermath of Desire
The morning light crept through the blinds, casting golden streaks across the tangled sheets. Vivian stirred first, her body instinctively recoiling as awareness dawned on her. The warmth beside her, the slow, rhythmic breathing—it all came crashing down in an overwhelming realization.Ethan.She turned her head slowly, her heart slamming against her ribs as she took in the sight of him. He lay beside her, his dark hair tousled against the pillow, his bare chest rising and falling with each deep breath. He looked so peaceful, so content—as if last night had been inevitable, as if he had no regrets.But she did.The heat from his body still lingered on her skin, the memory of his hands, his lips, burned into her mind. A shiver ran through her, not from cold but from the weight of what they had done. What she had allowed to happen.Carefully, she shifted, pulling the sheet over her chest as she sat up. Her movements were slow, calculated, as if one wrong step would shatter the fragile m
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-23The Price of A Bet Chapter 25: The Distance Between Us
Vivian sat in her office, her hands clenched around the edge of her desk. The events of last night played in a relentless loop in her mind—the warmth of Ethan’s hands on her skin, the way his voice had dripped with longing, the way she had crumbled under his touch. She had left his apartment thinking it was the right decision, the logical decision. But then why did she feel so hollow?A knock at the door startled her. She took a deep breath, steeling herself before answering. "Come in."The door opened, and for a brief moment, she thought it would be Ethan. But instead, her colleague, Claire, peeked in with a soft smile. "Hey, you okay? You looked a little out of it during the meeting this morning."Vivian forced a tight-lipped smile. "Yeah, just didn’t sleep well."Claire stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "Are you sure? You seem... different."Vivian's heart pounded, but she nodded. "Just stress. You know how it is."Claire hesitated but let it go. "Well, if you need to ta
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-23The Price of A Bet Chapter 26: A Night of No Return
Vivian paced her dimly lit apartment, her thoughts warring with her heart. She had spent the entire day trying to bury the emotions swirling within her, to convince herself that she had done the right thing. But Ethan’s voice echoed in her mind, raw and laced with frustration.This isn’t over.A shiver ran down her spine as she wrapped her arms around herself. Her rational mind screamed at her to leave it alone, to keep her distance, to pretend that she hadn’t spent the night in his arms, surrendering to the undeniable pull between them. But her heart—the traitorous thing—was already steering her towards the door.She didn’t even realize she had driven to his place until she was standing outside his apartment building, her fingers curled into her coat. The crisp night air did little to cool the fire raging beneath her skin.One last time.That was the lie she told herself as she knocked.A Dangerous InvitationEthan answered almost instantly, as if he had been waiting for her. His sha
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-23The Price of A Bet Chapter 27: The Aftermath of Temptation
Vivian awoke to the soft glow of dawn filtering through the curtains, her body tangled with Ethan’s. His arm draped over her waist, his steady breaths fanning against the nape of her neck. For a moment, she allowed herself to revel in the warmth of his embrace, the sense of peace that had been so foreign to her for so long.Then reality crashed down like a tidal wave.Her breath hitched as she carefully slid out of his grasp, her heart pounding against her ribcage. What have I done? The weight of the night’s passion clung to her like a brand, searing into her skin, impossible to ignore.She hastily gathered her clothes, her hands trembling as she buttoned her blouse. Every nerve in her body screamed for her to stay, to allow herself just a little longer in the intoxicating haze of his presence. But she knew better. This wasn’t a fairytale—it was a disaster waiting to unfold.As she reached for the door, Ethan stirred behind her. "Running away again?"His voice was husky, laced with sl
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-24The Price of A Bet Chapter 28: A Game of Resistance
Vivian stood in front of her mirror that evening, studying her reflection as if searching for answers. Her lips were still tingling from the ghost of Ethan’s words, his presence lingering in her mind like an intoxicating whisper she couldn’t shake. I’ll wait, Vivian. For as long as it takes.Her hands clenched into fists. She couldn’t allow this to continue. The longer it did, the closer she came to the edge of something dangerous, something irreversible. She needed to put distance between them before it was too late.Avoidance and TemptationThe next morning, she was determined to act as if nothing had changed. Her resolve was ironclad as she strode into the classroom, shoulders squared, face impassive. But as soon as she stepped through the door, her breath caught.Ethan was already there, lounging in his seat at the back of the class like he owned the world. His gaze locked onto hers the second she entered, a slow, knowing smirk tugging at his lips. Damn it.She ignored him and sta
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-24The Price of A Bet Chapter 29: The Push and Pull
Vivian had spent the entire night tossing and turning, replaying Ethan’s words in her mind. You can fight it all you want, but sooner or later, you’ll come back to me. The worst part was, he wasn’t wrong. The more she tried to distance herself, the stronger the pull became.She sat at her desk the next morning, sipping her coffee, willing herself to focus on her work. The school day had barely started, but she already felt exhausted. The sleepless night had done little to help her resolve. She needed to put an end to this, once and for all. She couldn’t keep getting caught in this dangerous cycle. But deep down, she knew—she was already in too deep.A knock on the door broke her thoughts. Before she could respond, Ethan stepped inside, closing the door behind him."You’re not supposed to be here," she said, her tone firm but lacking the conviction she desperately needed.He leaned against the door, arms crossed over his broad chest, a smug grin playing on his lips. "Since when do I fo
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-24
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The Price of A Bet Chapter 35: Desperate Measures
Ethan's fingers drummed anxiously on the steering wheel as he sat outside Vivian's house, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. He had watched her enter, seen the tense exchange through the large living room window, and now, he could feel the weight of something slipping away—something he wasn’t willing to lose.His phone buzzed. A message from Ethan's friend.Did you do it? Got proof?Ethan scowled and shoved the phone aside. None of that mattered anymore. This wasn’t about a bet. It hadn’t been for a long time. He had fallen for her, hard, and now she was being ripped away from him.His grip tightened around the wheel. He needed to see her. Needed to talk to her. Needed to do something before it was too late.Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the car door and stepped onto the damp pavement. The night air was cool, and a slight breeze carried the scent of rain from earlier. He moved toward the side of the house, search
The Price of A Bet Chapter 34: Confrontation
Vivian’s hands trembled as she gripped the steering wheel, her father’s voice still echoing in her ears. She knew she had to face him, but she wasn’t ready for what awaited her at home. Every step toward the front door felt heavier, her heart pounding in her chest. The moment she stepped inside, the weight of the atmosphere crushed her.Daniel Whitmore was already waiting in the living room, his arms crossed, his face set in an unreadable expression. Their father sat nearby, his expression one of disappointment and quiet fury. The room felt colder than usual, and Vivian instinctively knew this wouldn’t be just another lecture."Where were you?" Daniel demanded, his voice sharp as a knife, slicing through the tense silence.Vivian hesitated, forcing herself to remain calm. "I told you. I was with a friend."Daniel’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. "Don’t lie to me. I know exactly where you were. Do you have any idea what you’ve done?"
The Price of A Bet Chapter 33: The Consequences of Passion
Ethan lay beside Vivian, their bodies still tangled beneath the sheets, the heat of their passion lingering in the air. He traced slow circles on her bare shoulder, his fingers reverent as if memorizing every inch of her. Vivian sighed, her head resting on his chest, her heartbeat gradually slowing from the intensity of their night together. "This is crazy," she murmured, her voice laced with contentment and dread all at once. "We shouldn’t have done this." Ethan shifted, lifting her chin with his fingers so she would meet his gaze. "But we did. And I don’t regret a damn thing." She searched his eyes, and for a brief moment, she allowed herself to believe in the illusion that this could be more than just a mistake. That this could be something real. Then the sound of a car door slamming outside shattered the illusion. Vivian's body tensed instantly. "No..." She bolted upright, dragging the sheets over her chest as she listened. Ethan sat up too, brows furrowed. "What is it?" F
The Price of A Bet Chapter 32: Waking Up in His Arms
Vivian stirred as the first rays of dawn filtered through the sheer curtains, casting golden streaks across the rumpled bed. The warmth enveloping her wasn’t just from the sun—it was from the solid, sculpted body beside her, the heat radiating from Ethan’s bare skin pressing against her own. A deep inhale filled her lungs with the lingering scent of him, an intoxicating blend of his cologne and the musk of last night’s passion. Her body still thrummed with the echoes of pleasure, each movement reminding her of the way he had worshiped her with his hands, his lips, his body. She shifted slightly, and immediately, a strong arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer. A deep, husky groan rumbled against her neck as Ethan stirred behind her, his lips pressing instinctively against her shoulder. “Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was thick with sleep, yet still laced with that ever-present teasing edge that made her shiver. Vivian felt her breath hitch as his fingers
The Price of A Bet Chapter 31: The Night That Changed Everything
Vivian's breaths were uneven, her body still trembling from the way Ethan's touch had unraveled her. She was pressed against the couch, his weight a comforting pressure, their lips still ghosting over each other’s in slow, lingering kisses. The heat between them was undeniable, the tension thick enough to suffocate. "Vivian," Ethan murmured, his fingers tracing a delicate path along her jawline. "Tell me to stop." She couldn't. Her fingers slid into his hair, pulling him closer, silently giving him the answer he needed. He let out a soft, shuddering breath, his hands pressing into her lower back as he leaned in, deepening the kiss. His lips moved against hers with urgency, tasting her, consuming her. The warmth of his breath sent tingles down her spine, making her knees weak beneath him. His hands roamed down her arms, his touch featherlight yet electrifying. Every inch of her skin awakened under his fingertips, and she arched into his touch, her body betraying her mind, urging h
The Price of A Bet Chapter 30: Giving In to the Fire
Vivian couldn’t shake the weight of Ethan’s presence no matter how hard she tried. Every look, every word, every stolen moment between them felt like an invisible force pushing her closer to the edge of a dangerous abyss.She knew she should be stronger, that she should fight harder against whatever this was. But deep inside, she was already losing the battle.That evening, as she stood in front of her bathroom mirror, her reflection showed a woman who was struggling with something she couldn't name. Her fingertips ghosted over her lips, still tingling from the way Ethan had looked at her that morning. It was ridiculous how much power he had over her, and yet, she wasn’t running away. Not really.A sharp knock at her door startled her out of her thoughts. Her heart skipped a beat. No one ever came to her place unannounced. With a shaky breath, she walked to the door and hesitated before unlocking it.The moment she pulled it open, her breath caught in her throat. Ethan stood there, hi
The Price of A Bet Chapter 29: The Push and Pull
Vivian had spent the entire night tossing and turning, replaying Ethan’s words in her mind. You can fight it all you want, but sooner or later, you’ll come back to me. The worst part was, he wasn’t wrong. The more she tried to distance herself, the stronger the pull became.She sat at her desk the next morning, sipping her coffee, willing herself to focus on her work. The school day had barely started, but she already felt exhausted. The sleepless night had done little to help her resolve. She needed to put an end to this, once and for all. She couldn’t keep getting caught in this dangerous cycle. But deep down, she knew—she was already in too deep.A knock on the door broke her thoughts. Before she could respond, Ethan stepped inside, closing the door behind him."You’re not supposed to be here," she said, her tone firm but lacking the conviction she desperately needed.He leaned against the door, arms crossed over his broad chest, a smug grin playing on his lips. "Since when do I fo
The Price of A Bet Chapter 28: A Game of Resistance
Vivian stood in front of her mirror that evening, studying her reflection as if searching for answers. Her lips were still tingling from the ghost of Ethan’s words, his presence lingering in her mind like an intoxicating whisper she couldn’t shake. I’ll wait, Vivian. For as long as it takes.Her hands clenched into fists. She couldn’t allow this to continue. The longer it did, the closer she came to the edge of something dangerous, something irreversible. She needed to put distance between them before it was too late.Avoidance and TemptationThe next morning, she was determined to act as if nothing had changed. Her resolve was ironclad as she strode into the classroom, shoulders squared, face impassive. But as soon as she stepped through the door, her breath caught.Ethan was already there, lounging in his seat at the back of the class like he owned the world. His gaze locked onto hers the second she entered, a slow, knowing smirk tugging at his lips. Damn it.She ignored him and sta
The Price of A Bet Chapter 27: The Aftermath of Temptation
Vivian awoke to the soft glow of dawn filtering through the curtains, her body tangled with Ethan’s. His arm draped over her waist, his steady breaths fanning against the nape of her neck. For a moment, she allowed herself to revel in the warmth of his embrace, the sense of peace that had been so foreign to her for so long.Then reality crashed down like a tidal wave.Her breath hitched as she carefully slid out of his grasp, her heart pounding against her ribcage. What have I done? The weight of the night’s passion clung to her like a brand, searing into her skin, impossible to ignore.She hastily gathered her clothes, her hands trembling as she buttoned her blouse. Every nerve in her body screamed for her to stay, to allow herself just a little longer in the intoxicating haze of his presence. But she knew better. This wasn’t a fairytale—it was a disaster waiting to unfold.As she reached for the door, Ethan stirred behind her. "Running away again?"His voice was husky, laced with sl
