I Tried to Move On

I told myself I was over him.

I told myself that leaving meant freedom.

That Ethan was nothing more than a mistake I was finally ready to bury.

But standing outside this door—knowing he was on the other side—

I realized something horrifying.

I had never really left.

Because you can't move on from someone who still owns you.

And Ethan Carter?

He still owned every single piece of me.

The door opened before I even knocked.

And there he was.

Ethan.

Dark-eyed. Sharp-jawed.

Looking at me like he wasn't sure if he wanted to pull me in or tear me apart.

"Liv."

His voice was low. Rough.

Like I was something that had been slipping through his fingers for too long.

Like he was ready to tighten his grip.

I swallowed hard.

This was a mistake.

A terrible, irreversible mistake.

And yet?

I stepped inside anyway.

He shut the door.

Didn't move.

Didn't speak.

And neither did I.

Because how do you talk to someone who's seen you at your most broken?

Who's kissed every weak spot, touched every scar?

How do you stand in front of someone you once loved…

And pretend it doesn't hurt?

I couldn't.

So, I didn't.

I just stood there, my breath uneven, waiting for him to speak first.

And when he finally did—

It wasn't what I expected.

"I was right," Ethan murmured.

I frowned. "What?"

His eyes darkened.

"You came back."

My stomach dropped.

Because he wasn't wrong.

Because even after everything…

Even after Jax.

Even after trying to move on.

I had still come back.

And he knew it.

He knew it the second I walked through that door.

Just like he had known I would never really leave.

"I didn't come back for you," I whispered.

Ethan's smirk was slow. Dangerous.

"No?"

His voice was calm. Too calm.

"Then why are you here, Liv?"

I hesitated.

Because I knew why.

And he knew why.

But saying it out loud?

That meant admitting the truth.

And the truth was—

I wasn't sure if I was here to destroy him…

Or if I just wanted to feel him one last time.

Ethan stepped forward.

Not close enough to touch.

But close enough that I felt him.

That my breath caught.

That my body betrayed me.

His gaze flickered to my lips.

And then—

"You can lie to yourself, Liv."

His voice dropped lower.

"But don't lie to me."

I sucked in a sharp breath.

Because God help me, I wanted to lie.

I wanted to pretend.

But with Ethan standing this close?

I couldn't.

Because we had never been able to lie to each other.

Not when it mattered.

Not when it was about us.

He reached out.

Brushed his fingers against my wrist.

A simple touch.

But it might as well have been a match to gasoline.

I should have pulled away.

Should have reminded myself of the deal I made.

The revenge I was supposed to take.

But the second his hands were on me?

I forgot everything except him.

Because Ethan Carter was a storm.

And I had spent too long drowning in his rain.

His lips were on mine before I could think.

Before I could stop it.

Before I could save myself.

And the worst part?

I let him.

I kissed him back like he was still mine.

Like he hadn't shattered me.

Like I hadn't promised myself I was done with this.

But love is a funny thing.

It doesn't just die. It lingers.

Even when it shouldn't exist.

When we finally pulled apart, I was breathless.

Ethan's smirk was smug.

Like he knew exactly what this meant.

Like he had just won.

And maybe?

Maybe he had.

Because if I couldn't even resist one kiss…

How the hell was I supposed to betray him?

My chest tightened.

Because Jax was waiting.

Because Tessa was expecting me to burn Ethan down.

But I couldn't.

Not when my heart was still his.

I stepped back, shaking.

"I shouldn't have come here," I whispered.

Ethan didn't move.

Didn't stop me.

He just watched me with those dark, knowing eyes.

And then—

"Don't lie, Liv."

His voice was soft. Dangerous.

"You never really left."

My throat closed.

Because he was right.

And now?

Now, I had no idea how to fix it.

Liv falls into old habits—can she really betray Ethan now?

Ethan knows he still owns her—will he let her go again?

Jax and Tessa are waiting—what happens when they find out she failed?

Liv faces the consequences of losing control.