10
561words
"I sent Chloe abroad.I've publicly sworn off other women."
"A kid needs a dad.For him,give me another chance..."
"Ethan."My voice nothing but ice-cold.
"Not letting go doesn't suit you.I know you've done paternity tests secretly.You know the results."
"You can’t compete with youth in that."
Ethan's eyes flickered."You think Noah's a saint?He'll fake pity,play victim to get his way!"
True.
I'd seen Noah's phone:"108 Ways to Win Her,"starting with"Use Ethan to play victim."
But I could ignore it now.
Because Noah had given me a sense of security I had never felt before.And because everytime he talked about what he had endured in the past, it felt like a dagger stabbing into my heart.
"I know,"I said.
Ethan's hand fell,his body deflating like a punctured balloon.
"You know...you know."
I slipped Tim inside,telling him to go to sleep.
"Lily,you'll think I'm crazy."Ethan was desolate.
"But I...really like you."
"Even with a kid,even if he's not mine,I want you."
"Curse me all you want,then give me a chance.I'll take his name if it helps..."
Ethan's back hunched,as if to kneel.
I didn't budge.
"Ethan,this is it."
"You're just selfish,nothing more."
"Because I was the one who suggested breaking up,you couldn’t let go.You think you should control this relationship.That's possession,not love."
"I've had enough of that for too long.It's nothing like love.It would only leave scars here."
I tapped his chest.
Ethan,lost,pressed his hand there long after mine left.
"Lily,it hurts..."
But I was already home.
In the dim living room,a figure lounged on the sofa.
"Noah,"I recognized,curious."How..."
His eyes accused me,pulling tools from his pocket.
"I climbed in,broke the railing."
Since that day of being locked in the bedroom,Noah carried tools—sometimes useful,but not like this.
I laughed."Quit being CEO to become a burglar?"
His voice held a grievance.
"No ticket for me.I sat in economy,watching you during the whole flightand you never looked back."
"If you'd been that cold to your ex,I'd have used the front door roday."
He was staking a claim.
I chuckled."You’ve heard then—I sent him away."
If Noah was a dog, he’d be wagging his tails now."So...will you send me away too one day?"
I eyed his tools,teasing,"Can I?"
His eyes reddened,when he glared at me they reminded me of sunset.I was captivated.
Next thing,he was carrying me upstairs,kissing me breathless.
I gasped,"Tim...where is he?"
"Main bedroom.We'll take the next."
The last thing I heard.
Familiar passion returned,but I kept my eyes shut.
Noah toyed with my hair."Heard Ethan became a monk."
I refused to open my eyes.
"Off to a monastery to atone for hurting you,giving up his fortune."
"Now everyone's begging me to inherit."
"You going to?"I took his hand in mine, trying to get him forget about this thing with Ethan quickly.
Otherwise I felt like I was gonna faint soon.
Noah caught my hint,chuckling,kissing my lip corner."Nope."
"What if it's a scam to trap me?"
"There’s only one trap I'll fall for in my life."
His gaze burned through me.
I sighed,fishing a plastic bag from last night's clothes.
Inside,a ring I had made from toilet paper.I slipped it on Noah's hand,curling back into his arms,eyes closed."Trapped yet?"
His breath quickened.He slid a cool ring onto my finger,followed by warm kisses.
From fingertip to cheek.
"Trapped."
