Chapter 15: Breaking Barriers

Ethan had never been one to second-guess himself, but as he stood outside Sarah's bedroom door, his confidence wavered. He had spent the last few nights replaying their kiss in his mind, analyzing every second, every hesitation, every unspoken word between them. It wasn't just a kiss—it was a crack in the walls she had built, a silent admission that there was something real between them. But now, with the weight of the moment settling in, he wasn't sure if she regretted it or if she was just as consumed by it as he was.

Taking a breath, he knocked.

A pause. Then the soft sound of footsteps before the door creaked open. Sarah stood there in a loose t-shirt and pajama pants, her hair damp from a recent shower. The scent of lavender drifted toward him, making it harder to focus.

"Ethan," she said, her voice careful.

"Can we talk?" he asked, searching her face for any sign of hesitation.

She exhaled but nodded, stepping aside to let him in.

The room was simple but warm—soft lighting, a neatly made bed, and a small stack of books on the nightstand. It was a stark contrast to his own space, which often felt more like a luxury hotel than a home.

Ethan sat at the edge of the bed while Sarah leaned against the dresser, arms crossed. A defensive stance.

"I know things have been…" He ran a hand through his hair, struggling to find the right words. "Complicated."

She let out a short laugh, though there was no humor in it. "That's one way to put it."

"Do you regret it?" he asked, his voice quieter now.

Sarah's eyes flickered with something unreadable. "It's not that simple."

He nodded. He had expected that. "I don't regret it," he admitted. "Not for a second."

Her lips parted slightly, as if his words had caught her off guard. But she didn't interrupt, so he continued.

"I know I've been a pain in the ass since you met me," he said, half-smiling, though his tone was serious. "I know I didn't make it easy for you to even tolerate me. But you… you changed something in me, Sarah."

She tensed at that, shaking her head. "Ethan—"

"No, let me finish," he said, leaning forward. "I used to think I had everything figured out. Money, success, a future laid out for me. But none of it ever felt real. And then you came along, and suddenly, I started seeing things differently. You're real. You don't put up with my bullshit. You challenge me."

Sarah swallowed, but her walls were still up. "That doesn't mean this is a good idea."

"Why not?" he pressed.

She sighed and turned away from him, staring at the window as if the answer lay somewhere beyond it. "Because you and I come from different worlds, Ethan. Because what happens when your parents come back? When they find out? People like me don't fit into your life."

"That's not true." He stood up, closing the distance between them. "You fit exactly where you belong—right here."

Sarah turned to face him then, her eyes stormy with emotions she was trying to suppress. "You say that now, but love isn't enough when reality gets in the way."

Ethan's jaw tightened. He hated that she thought this was just some fleeting thing, like he'd get bored and move on. "Then tell me what I have to do to prove to you that this isn't some passing phase."

She hesitated. "Ethan, it's not just about what you do. It's about what you're willing to sacrifice. Would you stand up to your parents if they disapproved? Would you walk away from the life they've built for you?"

His pulse pounded. He had never thought about it in those terms. Would he? Could he?

"I don't know," he admitted honestly. "But I do know that I don't want to live a life that doesn't have you in it."

Sarah let out a shaky breath, the fight in her eyes dimming just a little. "You don't even know what you're asking for."

"Yes, I do." His hand lifted, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "I'm asking for a chance. I'm asking you to trust me."

Silence stretched between them, thick and charged.

Then, before he could stop himself, he leaned in. He was sure she would pull away, but she didn't. She let him come closer until their lips brushed, a hesitant, delicate touch. But this time, it wasn't rushed. It wasn't fueled by heat or tension. It was slow, deliberate.

And then she kissed him back.

The second their lips fully met, everything else faded. It wasn't just about attraction anymore—it was about something deeper. Her hands found his chest, fisting his shirt like she was trying to hold onto the moment before it slipped away.

Ethan's arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her against him, and for once, neither of them fought it. They let themselves get lost in each other, in the way their bodies fit, in the way their hearts pounded in sync.

By the time they pulled apart, they were both breathless.

Sarah's fingers lingered against his shirt before she looked up at him, her expression a mix of fear and longing. "I don't know how to do this," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Then we figure it out together," he murmured, pressing his forehead against hers. "One step at a time."

She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. When she spoke again, her voice was softer. "Okay."

It wasn't a declaration of love. It wasn't a promise of forever. But it was something.

And for now, that was enough.