Choices That Will Haunt Me

The phone kept ringing.

Sharp. Relentless.

Ethan didn't move.

Didn't answer.

Didn't even flinch.

Just stood there, watching me.

Like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.

Like whatever was on the other end of that line was secondary to me.

And that?

That scared me more than anything.

Because I wasn't sure when I had become his greatest priority—or if I had ever been anything else.

But before I could say a word—

The phone stopped.

Silence.

Ethan exhaled slowly.

Then?

He smirked.

And that's when I knew—

Whatever had just happened?

It wasn't over.

Not even close.

I should have asked.

I should have demanded to know who had called.

Why Ethan looked so damn satisfied when the ringing stopped.

But instead?

I made the worst choice of all.

I said nothing.

I let the moment pass.

I let Ethan walked toward me, his hands slow, deliberate.

I let him pull me into him, let him press his lips to my forehead, let him make me forget.

Because that was what Ethan Carter did best.

He made me forget.

Forget the danger.

Forget the warning signs.

Forget that this was all crumbling around us.

And I let him.

Because sometimes, lying to yourself is easier than facing the truth.

And the truth?

Was that I had already made my choice.

And I knew—

It was going to haunt me.

It wasn't until later—when the sun was barely peeking through the curtains—that I checked my phone.

One missed call.

From an unknown number.

And a text.

From Tessa.

I swallowed hard.

Because I hadn't heard from her since she had walked away.

Since she had given me the ultimatum, I hadn't chosen her for.

And now?

Now she was back.

But the text?

It wasn't what I expected.

It wasn't anger.

It wasn't a second chance.

It wasn't her telling me to leave Ethan before it was too late.

It was worse.

Tessa: You're in danger.

My breath caught.

I stared at the screen, my pulse skidding.

Because Tessa didn't do cryptic.

She was direct.

Blunt.

Honest, even when it hurt.

So, for her to say this—for her to reach out after she had walked away…

It meant something.

But I didn't move.

I didn't respond.

I just sat there, feeling Ethan's warmth still wrapped around me.

And made the worst mistake of all.

I put the phone down.

I let the warning go.

I chose him over the fear.

Because I wasn't ready for the truth.

Not yet.

The day passed in a blur.

Ethan didn't ask about my phone.

Didn't mention Tessa.

Didn't bring up the missed call.

But I could feel it.

The shift in the air.

The way he was watching me—like he knew something I didn't.

And maybe he did.

Because when I finally worked up the nerve to go outside—just for a walk, just to clear my head—

I saw it.

A car.

Parked across the street.

Tinted windows.

Not moving.

Not leaving.

Just waiting.

And that?

That's when I knew.

Tessa was right.

I was in danger.

And it was too late to stop it.

I ran back to the apartment, my heart hammering, my breath uneven.

Ethan was already standing in the kitchen when I stormed inside.

Waiting.

Like he had known I'd come back shaken.

Like he had been expecting it.

"What the hell is going on?" I demanded.

Ethan didn't blink.

"Liv—"

"Don't," I snapped, stepping closer. "Don't try to lie. Don't try to twist this."

I threw my phone onto the counter, the screen lighting up with Tessa's text.

"Tell me what's happening," I whispered.

His jaw tightened.

And that?

That was all the answer I needed.

Because Ethan never hesitated.

Not unless he had something to hide.

Ethan exhaled slowly, dragging a hand through his hair.

"I told you this wasn't just about us."

I stiffened.

His eyes darkened, something dangerous settling into them.

"You stayed, Liv."

His voice was low, controlled.

"And now?"

His smirk was gone.

His usual charm—the thing that always made me forgive him, always made me forget—

Was gone, too.

"Now, you're part of it."

I felt it then.

The weight.

The inescapable reality of what I had done.

I had chosen Ethan.

And in doing so?

I had chosen everything that came with him.

The war.

The danger.

The secrets I was only just beginning to understand.

I took a shaky breath.

"What does that mean?"

Ethan just looked at me.

Then?

He reached into his pocket.

Pulled out a key.

And placed it on the counter.

"You'll see soon enough."

I stared at the key.

At the thing that was supposed to give me answers.

Or maybe?

Maybe it was just another way to keep me trapped.

Another way to remind me I wasn't leaving.

I reached for it slowly, my fingers grazing the cold metal.

And then—

A knock at the door.

Ethan stilled.

The tension in the room snapped.

I swallowed hard, stepping back.

Because suddenly, I knew.

Whoever was on the other side?

They weren't here by accident.

They were here because of me.

Because of the choice I had made.

And when Ethan finally moved—when he walked to the door and opened it—

My stomach dropped.

Because standing there?

Was the one person I never expected to see again.

And their next words?

Changed everything.

Tessa was right—Liv is in real danger, but she ignored the warning.

Ethan confirms it—Liv is now involved in something she can't escape.

The key and the visitor—what do they mean, and what happens next?

The truth is finally revealed, and it's worse than Liv imagined.