Chapter 7: The Breaking Point

The office felt different after that conversation. The tension between Rebecca and Ethan was thick enough to cut with a knife. Every glance, every accidental brush of their hands when passing documents, every lingering moment of eye contact—it all built up like a slow-burning fire.

Rebecca had convinced herself that she could ignore it. That she could continue working under Ethan without acknowledging the undeniable attraction between them. But Ethan? He wasn't one to let things go.

And that became painfully clear when he called her into his office two days later.

"Close the door," Ethan said the moment Rebecca stepped inside.

She hesitated but obeyed.

He leaned back in his chair, his piercing blue eyes scanning her as if he was trying to figure her out.

"I'm taking a trip this weekend," he said, his tone casual. Too casual.

Rebecca raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"And I want you to come with me."

Silence.

Rebecca stared at him, waiting for the punchline. When it didn't come, she scoffed. "That's not funny, Ethan."

"I wasn't joking."

Her stomach flipped. "You can't be serious."

"I am."

She let out a nervous laugh. "A business trip?"

His smirk was almost dangerous. "Something like that."

Rebecca exhaled sharply. "Ethan, we work together. We shouldn't—"

"We're adults," he cut in smoothly. "And last I checked, spending time together outside the office isn't a crime."

"No, but it's a terrible idea."

"Why?"

Because I can't trust myself around you.

Because I might fall for you.

Because you might break me the way Noah did.

She didn't say any of that, though. Instead, she shook her head. "I appreciate the offer, but I'll pass."

Ethan studied her for a long moment before nodding once. "Fair enough."

But the way he looked at her, like he knew exactly why she was running, made her stomach twist.

And as she left his office, heart hammering in her chest, she couldn't shake the feeling that saying no to Ethan Carter wouldn't be that easy.

By Friday, Rebecca was exhausted. Work had been overwhelming, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about Ethan's offer.

She told herself she was relieved she didn't accept. That she made the right choice.

But when Ethan's name popped up on her phone that evening, her breath caught.

Ethan: Last chance. I leave in an hour.

She stared at the message, heart pounding.

She shouldn't.

She really, really shouldn't.

But something inside her, something reckless and desperate to feel alive again, made her text back.

Rebecca: Where are we going?

A minute later, her phone buzzed again.

Ethan: Be ready in thirty minutes.

Rebecca had no idea what she was expecting, but a private jet definitely wasn't it.

The moment she arrived at the airport, Ethan was waiting for her, looking ridiculously calm as if he knew she'd give in.

"No turning back now," he said as she climbed aboard.

Rebecca rolled her eyes. "This is insane."

Ethan smirked. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

She had no response.

Because deep down, she knew—this was dangerous.

Not because of the flight. Not because of the trip.

But because of the way Ethan Carter made her feel.

And she wasn't sure she'd survive it.