Chapter 10: Cracks in the Armor

The sun had long disappeared beyond the horizon, casting the villa into a soft glow under the moonlight. Rebecca sat curled up on the plush couch, a book resting on her lap, but her eyes weren't moving across the words.

She was too distracted.

Too aware of the fact that Ethan was somewhere in this villa.

Too aware of the way he had been looking at her earlier, as if he could see the truth she refused to admit to herself.

She wasn't completely unaffected by him.

That realization unsettled her more than she cared to admit.

She closed the book with a sigh, leaning back against the couch. Maybe she should have gone out today. Maybe then, she wouldn't be sitting here overthinking every glance, every word exchanged between them.

You say you're not interested, but you're still here.

His words echoed in her mind, making her feel restless.

Before she could stop herself, she stood and walked toward the open patio doors, drawn to the sound of the waves.

Ethan was there.

He stood near the edge of the infinity pool, a glass of whiskey in his hand, gazing at the dark ocean as if it held all the answers in the world.

Rebecca hesitated. She could turn around, go back inside, pretend she hadn't seen him.

But something about the way he stood there—so still, so lost in thought—made her pause.

Before she could second-guess herself, she stepped forward.

"You look like a man with a lot on his mind," she said softly.

Ethan glanced at her, his expression unreadable in the dim light. "I could say the same about you."

She leaned against the railing, keeping a comfortable distance between them. "I couldn't sleep."

He took a sip of his drink, eyes still on her. "Why?"

Rebecca sighed, her fingers tightening around the edge of the railing. "Because this… whatever this is, doesn't make sense."

Ethan raised a brow. "What doesn't make sense?"

"You." She turned to face him fully. "The way you push, the way you act like you know me. Like you understand what I'm feeling when I don't even understand it myself."

A long silence stretched between them before Ethan finally spoke.

"I don't pretend to know everything about you, Rebecca." His voice was quieter now, softer. "But I know what it's like to carry something you can't let go of. To run from something that's already a part of you."

Her throat tightened. "I'm not running."

He let out a low chuckle. "You tell yourself that, but I see the way you fight every moment we spend together. You don't want to feel anything for me. But you do."

Rebecca's heart pounded. She opened her mouth to deny it—to tell him he was wrong—but the words wouldn't come.

Because he wasn't wrong.

The truth of it burned in her chest.

And for the first time, she had no idea what to do.

Ethan set his glass down on the table and turned toward her, his presence overwhelming yet strangely comforting.

"Tell me something," he said, his voice low. "What did he do to you?"

Rebecca stiffened. "Who?"

"You know who."

Her stomach twisted.

Noah.

His name was a bitter taste in her mouth.

She had spent so long trying to forget him, to erase every trace of what he had done. But here, standing under the night sky with Ethan watching her so intently, the memories clawed their way back.

"He made me believe I wasn't enough," she admitted, barely above a whisper. "That I wasn't worthy of love."

Ethan's jaw tensed, his hands clenching at his sides. "That's not true."

She let out a hollow laugh. "You say that like it's easy to believe."

He took a step closer, closing the space between them. "It's not easy. But it's the truth."

Rebecca's breath hitched.

This was dangerous.

This was too much.

She turned away before he could see the tears threatening to spill. "I should go."

But before she could walk away, Ethan's voice stopped her.

"I won't hurt you, Rebecca."

She froze.

Slowly, she turned back to him, her heart pounding.

And in that moment, for the first time in years, she wanted to believe that maybe—just maybe—she could trust again.

Chapter 10: A Dinner That Changed Everything

Rebecca stared at Ethan's message for a long time, her mind warring with itself.

Join me for dinner. No work talk.

She should say no. She should keep things professional. But her fingers betrayed her before she could talk herself out of it.

Rebecca: Where?

A reply came instantly.

Ethan: I'll pick you up in an hour.

Her stomach flipped. This wasn't a business meeting. This was something else.

Something dangerous.

Rebecca chose a simple yet elegant black dress, paired with heels that made her legs look longer than usual. She kept her makeup natural, not wanting to seem like she had put too much effort into this.

When she stepped into the hotel lobby, Ethan was already waiting. He looked devastatingly handsome in his dark suit, the top two buttons undone, revealing a hint of his collarbone.

His gaze swept over her, slow and appreciative. "You clean up well, Carter."

Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Is this how you compliment people?"

Ethan smirked. "Would you rather I lie?"

She shook her head, suppressing a smile.

A sleek black car was already waiting for them, and Ethan opened the door for her.

The ride was quiet, but not uncomfortable. The air between them felt charged, like something unsaid was hovering just beneath the surface.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Rebecca was stunned. It wasn't the high-end corporate dining setting she had expected. Instead, it was an intimate rooftop restaurant overlooking the glittering city.

"This doesn't look very business-related," she said as they were led to a private table.

Ethan smirked. "I told you—no work talk tonight."

She hesitated before sitting down. "So what exactly are we supposed to talk about?"

He leaned back in his chair, watching her. "You."

Rebecca blinked. "What about me?"

"You're a mystery, Carter. You work hard, you're sharp, but you keep everyone at arm's length." He tilted his head slightly. "Why is that?"

Rebecca tensed. "I don't think my personal life is relevant to our work."

"Maybe not," Ethan admitted. "But I want to know anyway."

She swallowed. This was dangerous territory.

"I just… I've been burned before," she said cautiously, avoiding his gaze.

Ethan was silent for a moment, then said, "I get that."

She looked up, surprised.

His usual cocky expression had softened slightly. "I know what it's like to not trust people easily."

Rebecca hesitated, then asked, "And yet you're sitting here with me."

A smirk tugged at his lips. "Maybe you're an exception."

Her heart skipped a beat.

This wasn't just dinner. This wasn't just a friendly meal between colleagues.

This was something else.

Something she wasn't sure she was ready for.