Chapter 37: Living with the Fear

Emily barely slept that night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Ethan's smirk, his cold, calculating gaze as he held all the power over her. She had walked into his apartment thinking she could manipulate him, thinking she could control the situation.

Instead, he had controlled her.

Her pride was in shambles, but that wasn't the worst part.

The worst part was the fear.

What if Ethan told everyone?

What if he exposed her desperation to the entire class?

What if the people who once admired her—who envied her position as one of the most beautiful and popular girls in school—found out that she had been willing to throw herself at him for money?

She felt sick just thinking about it.

The morning came too soon. She dragged herself out of bed, her body exhausted but her mind running on overdrive. She had no choice but to go to school and pretend everything was fine.

Tabitha picked her up in her sleek black car, and the moment Emily got in, her friend glanced at her nervously.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Tabitha asked, her voice hesitant.

Emily let out a dry laugh. "Do I look okay?"

Tabitha sighed. "Look, I know last night was… rough, but it's over now. Ethan paid. Carlos and his goons are out of the picture. We should just forget it ever happened."

Emily clenched her fists in her lap. "I can't."

Tabitha frowned. "Why not?"

"Because Ethan could ruin me," Emily said bitterly.

Tabitha hesitated. "Do you really think he would?"

Emily didn't answer.

She didn't know.

Ethan wasn't the same person she had bullied in the past. He wasn't the weak, insignificant loser she used to make fun of with Sophia and Lucas.

He had money. Power. And worst of all, he had nothing to lose.

She had no idea what he was thinking.

And that terrified her.

By the time they arrived at school, Emily felt like she was walking into an execution. She scanned the hallways, searching for Ethan, her heart hammering in her chest.

Would he say something the moment he saw her?

Would he expose her in front of everyone?

Her eyes finally landed on him.

Ethan was leaning against his locker, looking as casual as ever, dressed in a plain black shirt and jeans. Jordan stood beside him, laughing about something, completely oblivious to the fact that Emily felt like she was about to have a panic attack.

For a second, their eyes met.

Ethan held her gaze, unreadable.

Then… he smirked.

Emily's breath caught in her throat.

That smirk—it wasn't a threat. It wasn't a warning.

It was worse.

It was amusement.

He knew she was afraid. He knew she was on edge.

And he was enjoying it.

Emily clenched her jaw and forced herself to look away, her face burning.

No.

She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her squirm.

If he wasn't going to say anything, then neither was she.

She had to act like nothing had happened.

Even if she was dying inside.

—

Lunch Break – The First Encounter

Emily and Tabitha sat in their usual spot at the cafeteria, trying to act normal. Lucas and Sophia were at the next table, deep in conversation, but Emily barely paid attention to them.

Her focus was on Ethan.

She needed to know what his next move would be.

Finally, as if sensing her gaze, he stood up and started walking toward her table.

Emily's stomach twisted into knots.

Here it comes.

He stopped right in front of her and casually leaned down, his voice low enough that only she and Tabitha could hear.

"You looked real desperate last night," he murmured, amusement dancing in his eyes. "I almost felt bad for you."

Emily's fingers curled into fists beneath the table.

Tabitha stiffened beside her, shooting Ethan a wary glance.

"What do you want?" Emily gritted out, her voice sharp.

Ethan tilted his head, as if considering the question. "Want? Nothing, really. I just find it funny how life turns out." He smirked. "You used to laugh at me. Now you're the one begging."

Emily's face burned with humiliation. "Shut up."

Ethan chuckled, standing up straight again. "Relax, Emily. I'm not going to tell anyone."

Her head snapped up, eyes wide. "What?"

"I said I'm not going to tell anyone," he repeated, shrugging. "I don't need to. Watching you squirm is enough entertainment for me."

Emily swallowed hard. "Then why are you even here?"

Ethan's smirk widened. "To remind you that you owe me."

Her heart skipped a beat. "I don't owe you anything."

Ethan leaned down again, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Oh, but you do."

Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Emily sitting there, shaking.

What did he mean by that?

What did he want from her?

Emily had a sinking feeling she was about to find out.