The next morning, I woke up to Jason's text:
How are you feeling today? I'm sorry I wasn't there for you last night. I'll make it up to you when I get home.
I smiled a little, but it didn't reach my heart.
The truth was, I didn't feel sick. I felt… empty.
The kind of emptiness you only get after you've caught someone you love in a lie.
But I didn't want to think about that now.
Not today.
Today, I needed to keep busy, act normal. So I got out of bed, got dressed, and headed to work.
As soon as I stepped into the elevator at the office, I ran straight into Ethan.
I was still trying to process everything that had happened, and seeing him again made my stomach tighten in a way I didn't expect.
We made awkward eye contact. I quickly looked down, unable to hold his gaze. But I couldn't avoid him forever.
I forced myself to look up and give him a smile—weak, but at least it wasn't a complete failure.
Ethan, however, didn't seem to care much. His expression remained cool, emotionless, like always. He stepped beside me without a word, his presence cold and intimidating.
He was so... unreachable.
So different from Jason, who was always warm and constantly showering me with affection.
But Jason wasn't who I thought he was anymore.
The elevator was crowded, and I could feel Ethan's body heat pressing against mine.
The air felt thick, like something was about to shift.
I was suddenly aware of his scent—a faint, woodsy fragrance that was both calming and... dangerous.
I quickly turned my head to the side, trying to ignore the sudden flush of warmth spreading through my cheeks.
The elevator ride couldn't end fast enough.