Emotional Vulnerability

The air in Emily's office was thick with tension. The presence of her ex-lover had shattered whatever fragile balance remained between her and Ethan. His words echoed in her mind.

"You have no idea who you've been sleeping next to."

Emily's pulse pounded in her ears as she stared at Ethan. The look in his eyes—recognition, guilt—unnerved her more than the man standing across from her.

Her ex leaned against her desk with an infuriating smirk. "Oh, come on, Ethan. Tell her the truth. Or should I?"

Ethan's jaw clenched, but he said nothing.

Emily's patience snapped. "Someone start talking before I make you."

Her ex chuckled, brushing imaginary dust off his sleeve. "Always so fiery, Emily. That's what I liked about you."

"Don't." Her voice was sharp as a blade. "Say what you came to say, and then get the hell out."

His smirk faded. "You're in danger, sweetheart. And not just because of your case. Ethan here? He's got a past just as dirty as mine."

Emily's eyes darted to Ethan. "What does he mean?"

Ethan exhaled heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose before finally meeting her gaze. "It's complicated."

Her stomach curled. "Then simplify it."

Ethan's phone buzzed before either of them could say a word. He glanced down at the screen and muttered under his breath. "We need to go. Now."

Emily furrowed her brow. "What—"

"Now."

His voice brooked no disagreement. Whatever was happening, it was bad.

Her ex retreated with a smirk. "See you soon, Emily.

Ethan pulled her out of the office, his hold was firm but not rough. He then shoved her toward his car as soon as they got on the street.

"We have things to discuss," she said.

"We will," he replied tightly. "But now is not the time."

A Night of Truths

She let the silence hold, only interrupted by the smooth hum of tires against pavement. Emily crossed her arms, allowing the city lights to blur outside.

Once she was inside, she dropped her bag by the door and spun around to Ethan, who still stood near the window, all his muscles stretched tight with tension.

"Talk," she commanded.

I used to be undercover," Ethan said, running his fingers through his hair. "Not just a private investigator. Before that. I infiltrated criminal organizations, collected intel, and took down dangerous people."

Her breath caught. "And my ex?"

His expression darkened. "He was one of them."

A chill crept down her spine. "You knew him?"

"I was the one who helped put him away.

Emily swallowed, her mind spinning. The man she once loved—the one who shattered her heart—had been caught in a web of crime, and Ethan had been the one to expose him.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, her voice softer now.

Ethan hesitated before answering. "Because I didn't know how deep he had hurt you. And because I didn't want my past to taint what we have.

She let out a shaky breath, rubbing her arms as if to warm herself. "You should have told me."

"I know." His voice was laced with regret.

The silence between them was heavy with unspoken emotions. Finally, Emily spoke, her voice almost a whisper. "I trusted him. I thought he loved me."

Ethan's gaze softened. "He never deserved you."

She turned her eyes away, remembering memories—of a man who once wanted her but in the worst possible way had hurt her.

She shifted back to Ethan. "And what about you? Have you ever…?"

He looked at her for a long time before nodding. "There was someone. A long time ago. I loved her, or at least I thought I did. But she wasn't who I believed she was. She played me, used me, and when I found out the truth… I lost everything."

Emily's heart ached at the raw vulnerability in his voice.

"After that, I stopped letting people in," he continued. "It was easier. Safer."

She took a hesitant step closer. "But you let me in."

His lips pressed into a thin line. "I'm trying."

For the first time, Emily saw not just the hardened investigator but the man beneath—someone who had been broken before, just like her.

"I get it," she murmured. "Trusting people is hard when you've been betrayed."

His eyes searched hers. "But you still trust me?"

She hesitated. "I want to."

That was the best she could give him.

Ethan nodded, as if understanding. "That's enough."

And for now, it was.

The Break-In

The moment the door burst open, shattering against the wall, both of them sprang into action.

Emily's heart slammed against her ribs as she reached for her gun. Ethan moved faster, yanking her behind him as figures stormed inside.

"Get down!" he yelled, drawing his own gun.

The gunfire exploded around them, deafening cracks pounding the apartment.

Emily ducked behind the kitchen island, her adrenaline pumping high. "Who the hell are they?"

Ethan didn't answer; he was too busy firing back.

A bullet sliced past her shoulder, splintering the cabinet behind her. She gritted her teeth and aimed at the nearest intruder. She fired once. Twice. The man went down.

The others turned tail.

Ethan didn't lower his gun until silence settled.

Emily exhaled sharply, her hands shaking. "That wasn't a robbery."

"No," Ethan agreed grimly. "That was a message."

Her stomach twisted. "From who?"

Before he could answer, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

"Well, that was entertaining."

Emily turned to see her ex stepping through the broken doorway, completely unfazed by the chaos.

Ethan's jaw clenched as he lifted his gun. "Give me one reason not to put you down."

Her ex laughed. "Oh, come on, Ethan. You're not going to kill me."

Emily's pulse was racing. "What do you want?"

Her ex's smirk faded. "To warn you."

Ethan snorted. "Bullshit."

Her ex's gaze darkened. "You think you're protecting her? You're only dragging her deeper into something she doesn't understand."

Emily clenched her fists. "Then explain it.

He stepped closer. "You're being used, Emily. Just like I was."

Her throat tightened. "By who?"

He hesitated and then said, "The people behind your case. They don't care about justice. They care about power."

Ethan's grip on his gun tightened. "Why should we believe you?"

Her ex smirked again, but this time it didn't reach his eyes. "Because I have proof."

Emily's breath caught. "What proof?"

"Meet me tomorrow. Alone."

Ethan immediately shook his head. "Not happening."

Her ex ignored him, his eyes locked onto Emily. "You want the truth? Come find me."

Then, without another word, he turned and walked out, disappearing into the night.

Emily stood frozen, her mind spinning.

Ethan exhaled harshly, running a hand over his face. "You're not going."

But Emily wasn't so sure.

Because if there was even a chance that her ex had the answers she needed…

She had to know.

No matter what it would cost her.

Cliffhanger: A Truth They Can't Escape

As the first whispers of dawn crept through the broken window, Ethan leaned against the wall, his face impassive.

Emily sat on the couch, white-knuckled fingers gripping the edge of her shirt.

Neither of them said a word.

Because they both knew—

The past wasn't done with them yet.