Chapter 9: The Night That Changed Everything

I woke up the next morning with a decision.

This had to stop.

Whatever was happening between Ethan and me—it was reckless. It was dangerous. And if we weren't careful, we were going to destroy everything.

So I did the only thing I could.

I put distance between us.

I stopped looking at him. I stopped reacting when he was near. I made myself cold, forcing every feeling down until it was buried under layers of denial.

And for a while, it worked.

Until the party.

Claire dragged me to one of the biggest parties of the year, insisting I needed a distraction. I agreed, hoping maybe she was right. Maybe I just needed a night to forget.

But then Ethan walked in.

He wasn't alone. A girl clung to his arm, laughing at something he whispered in her ear. And when his eyes met mine, he smirked.

Like he was daring me to react.

Something inside me snapped.

I turned away, grabbing a drink from the nearest table, and downed it in one go.

If he wanted to play games, fine.

Two could play.