yawned, feeling a sense of satisfaction and happiness. She had ne

standing by the window, staring out at the

mily said, trying

cold and detached. "Good morning," he

r run down her bod

nd pulled out a briefcase. He opened

son said, his voice dripping with disdain

unched in the gut. She couldn'

ly asked, trying to keep her voi

r. "You did exactly what I paid you for

en herself to Harrison, at a vulnerable time thinking he had a he

case and turned to leave. As she reached

with malice. "Don't bother trying to cont

heek as she walked out of Harrison's

ned. She had given herself to Harrison, thinking that they had shared something special, but it turned out that she

se of shame and humiliation wash over her. She

ling like she was in a trance. She couldn't shake off

ss of her living room. She felt a sense of loneliness wash over her, and s

usted and emotionally drained. She lay there for a while, staring

ed at herself in the mirror and barely recognized the person staring back at

w that she had to move on from this experience and learn from

ce, and put on some fresh clothes. As she looked at herself in the mirror again, she felt a sense of rene

heard a knock at the door. She hesitated for a moment,

the peephole. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Ethan sta

r. "Hey," she said, trying to sound casual

l that something was wrong. "What's going on, E

, unsure of how

as if searching for something. Emily closed the door behin

ght?" Ethan asked his v

o respond. She hadn't expected E

out," Emily

owed. "Out? With

ldn't avoid the truth. "I was

didn't come home last night? With the d

ver her. "I know I should have called you, or

ve no idea how worried I was," he said.

h him last night?" he asked, his voi

guilt. "I'm so sorry, Ethan. I

k! That's not a mistake, Emily. That's a betrayal." All these while you constantly nagged at me

yes. She knew she had hurt Ethan deeply. "I kn

"How can I trust you now?" he aske

I hope you can find it in your heart to give me another chance." Ethan turned away, his back to Emily.

Ethan said finally, his

p form in her throat. "I un

hers. "I love you, Emily," he said. "B

love you too, Ethan," she said. "And I'll

held a hint of uncertainty. "I'll be in touch," he said

h over her. She had hurt the person she loved most,

ts of Harrison and the previous night's events. She felt a deep-s

ore than a disposable object. She remembered the way he had looke

et him touch her, that she had given herself to him so willingly, just cause of a hundred thousand dollars, she

she had sacrificed her self-worth and dignity for a fle

w she couldn't change what had happened, but she could learn fro

her whole world was crumbling before her,

g a sense of renewal and determination. She knew she couldn't change t

g to resume work at the bar. She needed the distractio

the familiar sounds of laughter and music. She

came over to give her a warm hug. "Hey, gir

ng about Sarah's kind and genuine concern made her open up

thetic. "If you ever need to ta

or her friend's support. "Thanks

clocked in and began her shift, ready to put

attention. Emily's eyes widened as she took in the sight of him, her hea

ing, with long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. Harrison had his ar

e