Chapter 12 ~

The morning sun filtered through Lena's bedroom windows, casting soft golden light across the silk sheets tangled around her legs. Her heels were still by the door, and Ethan's jacket—forgotten until now—was draped over the back of her chair. She stared at it for a long second before dragging herself out of bed.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Skye.

Skye: So… did the world implode after you snuck away?

Lena smiled sleepily, fingers flying across the screen.

Lena: Not yet. But I did have a moment of peace. And maybe a jacket theft.

Skye: Iconic. Breakfast? We need a debrief. And I want my pictures.

Lena tossed the phone onto the bed with a sigh and padded to the bathroom. The reflection that greeted her wasn't as tired as she expected—there was still that low, steady hum from the rooftop, the kind that came from being seen, but not judged.

She wasn't sure what last night meant. Or what Ethan really wanted. But for now, it didn't feel like pressure.

It just felt… simple.

And maybe that was enough to get through today.

•

The café Skye chose was tucked into a quiet street just outside the city's buzz. It had that effortless charm Lena liked—warm-toned walls, soft indie music playing overhead, and the comforting smell of espresso and baked goods wafting through the air.

Skye was already there, sitting by the window with two cappuccinos and a plate of croissants she definitely didn't plan on sharing.

"Took you long enough," Skye teased as Lena slid into the seat across from her. "I was about to post the worst photo of you from last night just to get your attention."

"You wouldn't dare," Lena said, taking a sip of the cappuccino. "Actually… you totally would."

"I already picked the one where you're mid-bite and vaguely confused. Captioned it 'local heiress rethinks life choices after art-themed breakdown.'"

Lena rolled her eyes, but smiled. "You're awful."

"Thank you. Now spill. What happened after I left you two on the roof?"

Lena hesitated, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup. "Nothing dramatic. We talked. It was quiet. He gave me his jacket."

Skye leaned in, eyes wide. "That's it?"

"That's it," Lena said, a little too quickly. "It wasn't a moment, if that's what you're hoping for. I'm not looking for anything right now. Not after... everything."

Skye didn't push. She just nodded, reaching for a croissant. "Still. That kind of calm? With someone like him? It's something."

Lena didn't say anything. But a part of her agreed.

Just as Lena was about to take another sip of her coffee, the door chimed, and a familiar figure walked in. Lena's heart skipped a beat.

It was Ethan.

He looked like he'd just stepped out of a magazine—dark jeans, a light grey sweater that hugged his frame just enough, and those damn confident strides. He stopped by the counter to order, but his eyes scanned the room, landing on both of us immediately.

Lena stiffened. Of course, he would walk in here.

Skye noticed her sudden change in demeanor. With a sly grin, she lowered her voice, "Is that the universe telling you something? Because I swear it's trying to force a plot twist."

Lena rolled her eyes, trying to keep her cool. "He's probably just here for coffee."

"Uh-huh. Just like I'm here for the croissants," Skye teased, nudging Lena's foot under the table.

Ethan walked over with a casual smile, leaning against the edge of the table. "I didn't expect to see you here, Lena," he said, his voice easy, like nothing had changed.

Lena blinked, momentarily thrown. "I could say the same thing."

Skye watched the exchange with barely concealed curiosity.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Mind if I join you? Just for a minute. Thought I'd grab a coffee and... check on how you're doing after last night."

Lena's mind raced. This wasn't supposed to be how it went. They were supposed to go their separate ways after the gala. But here he was, standing right in front of her, as though they were friends, as though that brief rooftop moment meant something more.

"Sure, why not?" she said, more out of instinct than actual interest.

Skye was already grinning like she knew something Lena didn't. "Go ahead, join us. I'm sure Lena will be thrilled to have the company."

Lena shot her a warning look, but Skye only shrugged, clearly amused by the situation.

Ethan pulled up a chair, sitting a little too close for comfort, but not close enough to make things awkward.

"So, how's the morning treating you?" he asked casually, almost like they hadn't shared a quiet, vulnerable moment just hours ago.

Ethan leaned back in his chair, his coffee untouched as his eyes flicked over to Skye before landing on Lena. There was a brief pause, as if he was weighing whether to say something. Then, with a subtle sigh, he spoke.

"You know," he began, his tone much quieter than before, "there's something I need to get off my chest."

Lena raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "What's up?"

Ethan glanced around the café, as if checking for eavesdroppers, though there was no one near their table. "It's... about my family. The Ashfords," he said, his voice laced with a mix of annoyance and resignation. "They've been pressuring me for months to... well, get married. They think I'm at the age where I should settle down and start preparing to take over the company. But it's not just any marriage they want. They want the perfect, pristine match, someone to fit their image, keep the family legacy intact."

Lena tilted her head, her intrigue deepening. "So, you're just supposed to... what? Pick someone and call it a day?"

"Pretty much," Ethan muttered. "And I'm expected to do it soon—before I take over the company. There's talk of this being some sort of... strategic, business-driven marriage. You know, one that keeps the family in the right circles."

Lena's stomach turned slightly at the thought of such a cold arrangement. "A fake marriage?" she asked, the words coming out before she could stop herself.

Ethan chuckled softly, but there was no humor in it. "That's exactly what they're suggesting. It's all about appearances and power. Marry the right person, then I can get my life—and the company—under control. But… it's not really my choice, is it?"

Lena could feel the weight in his voice, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say. She had always thought of Ethan as someone who had it all figured out, someone who was in control of his life. But this… this was a different side of him—one she hadn't expected.

"I'm sorry," she said softly, her eyes searching his. "That's a lot to carry."

Ethan just shrugged. "I guess it's the life I was born into. Nothing I can do about it."

Before Lena could respond, Skye, who had been silently observing the conversation, leaned forward with a mischievous grin. "Well, if you're looking for a marriage of convenience, you could do worse than Lena here. She's got the perfect reputation, and I'm sure she'd be happy to help with the Ashford family image."

Lena shot her a sharp look, but Ethan's lips twitched into the beginnings of a smile. "You know, I'd almost consider that," he said, the playfulness in his voice catching her off guard. "But I think I'd rather keep things less complicated."

Lena could feel the tension ease slightly, but just as the conversation was starting to settle, the door to the café opened, and the bell above it jingled. A tall figure stepped inside, and Lena's heart skipped a beat.

It was him.

Her ex—Liam.

She froze for a second, unsure of how to react. It had been months since they'd last spoken, months since everything had unraveled. His eyes scanned the room and landed on Lena. The moment their gazes met, everything else seemed to blur.

Liam's expression was unreadable as he stepped toward their table. "Lena," he said, his voice low. "Didn't expect to see you here."

Lena's pulse quickened, and she felt an instant wave of discomfort. Ethan, sensing the shift, glanced between the two of them. His posture stiffened slightly, but he didn't say anything. Skye, on the other hand, was already grinning like she'd just witnessed a plot twist in a movie.

"Well, well," Liam continued, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. "If it isn't Lena Sterling. And I see you're enjoying your morning with friends."

Lena stood up quickly, almost knocking over her coffee. "Liam, what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice slightly more harsh than she intended.

"I was just grabbing a coffee," he said casually, though his eyes lingered on her a little too long. "I didn't realize I'd be interrupting something... interesting."

There was a tense pause as Ethan studied Liam with a raised brow, clearly not impressed, but also trying to keep the situation from spiraling out of control. Skye just watched, fascinated by the unfolding drama.

"Actually," Liam continued, "I've been meaning to speak with you. About… everything."

Lena felt her chest tighten. The last thing she wanted was to revisit this chapter of her life, but here it was, standing right in front of her, in a café she was trying to enjoy. And with Ethan sitting across from her, looking very much like someone who wasn't interested in hearing about her past.

She took a deep breath. "Not now, Liam. I'm not in the mood."

Liam didn't seem to care much about her tone. "We need to talk," he said simply, his eyes softening just a little. "Please."

Lena could feel the old emotions rising—confusion, anger, the hurt of everything that had gone wrong. But she couldn't do this here. Not with Ethan watching. Not with Skye practically grinning from ear to ear.

"I don't think now's the right time," she said, her voice firmer this time. "I'm sorry, but I don't have anything to say."

Liam stood there for a moment, staring at her, before his lips parted again, as though he wanted to say something else. But instead, he simply turned and walked away, leaving Lena with a rush of conflicting emotions.

Ethan was silent for a beat before he finally spoke, his voice steady. "That was your ex, huh?"

Lena nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "Yeah. And that was... unexpected."

Skye leaned back in her seat, clearly enjoying the chaos. "Well, that was certainly something."

Ethan's expression softened, but he didn't push. "You okay?"

Lena managed a tight smile. "I will be."

The air felt thicker now, and Lena could almost feel the weight of the moment hanging between her and Ethan. Skye, ever the instigator, nudged her friend's shoulder with a teasing grin, though her eyes were a bit more knowing than usual.

"Looks like you've got some unfinished business with Mr. Liam," Skye teased, her voice a mix of curiosity and humor. "Doesn't he just know how to make an entrance?"

Lena shot her a look, grateful for her best friend's lightheartedness, but the sting of seeing Liam again was hard to shake. She'd thought she had moved on, that the ache of their past was something she could keep locked away, but here it was, resurfacing like an unwelcome ghost.

"I guess some people never really leave, huh?" Lena muttered, trying to sound more casual than she felt.

Ethan, who had been quiet for a moment, now cleared his throat. His voice was softer, but his concern was evident. "Are you sure you're alright?"

Lena met his eyes, surprised by the sincerity there. She had expected him to brush it off or make some sort of light comment to defuse the tension, but instead, there was something more grounded in his gaze.

"I'm fine," she replied, her smile tight but genuine. "It just… caught me off guard. That's all."

"You don't have to explain," Ethan said. "But if you ever want to talk about it, I'm here."

Lena nodded slowly, the weight of his words settling over her. There was something comforting in his tone, an assurance that she hadn't expected. He wasn't pushing, wasn't expecting anything from her except honesty if she wanted to share. That felt different from what she was used to.

Skye, sensing the shift in the mood, jumped in with a playful grin, eager to steer them back on track. "Alright, enough about exes and emotional rollercoasters. You two still on for the hangout later? Or are we going to let the men in our lives ruin the fun?"

Lena couldn't help but laugh, though it didn't completely erase the tension. "I'm still in. I need a distraction. Let's go shopping after this?"

Ethan gave her a confused look, but his lips twitched into a faint smile. "Well, there's always a first time for something, I guess."

"Sounds like just the kind of night I'm ready for," Lena replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "But we'll see."

As the conversation shifted back to the upcoming event, a sense of normalcy began to settle over the group. But Lena's mind still lingered on the unexpected appearance of Liam. She had been so focused on moving forward—her career, her own growth—that she hadn't expected her past to come rushing back like this.

Her gaze flickered to the door Liam had exited through. What did he want now? Why had he come back into her life? And, perhaps the most troubling thought, why did it still hurt so damn much?

"Hey, you okay?" Skye asked, noticing her distant expression.

Lena blinked and refocused. "Yeah. Just… thinking. Let's get through this day first. The shopping, the dinner, whatever we have to do. We'll figure the rest out later."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, his concern evident despite the casual tone he tried to adopt. "You're not running away from this, are you?"

Lena met his gaze and shook her head slowly. "I'm not running. But I am taking my time. I'm not ready to deal with everything all at once."

Skye smiled knowingly, squeezing Lena's hand in a brief but supportive gesture. "That's the spirit. We'll deal with Liam when we deal with him. And for now, we'll focus on enjoying the evening."

Lena managed a smile, her resolve strengthening. She wasn't going to let the past dictate her future. Not tonight.

With that, the conversation shifted again, and the trio began making plans for the evening ahead—a dinner at a trendy new spot in the city, followed by some much-needed shopping. It was sure to be a night of distractions, and Lena was more than ready for it. Tonight wasn't about facing her past or dealing with unresolved emotions. Tonight was about enjoying the present.