– Shadows

ow to move forward from here. Ethan's eyes searched hers, waiting for her to

er voice trembling. "You kept something from me, Ethan. You slept

was evident, but Mia could see the guilt in his eyes. "It wasn't like that, M

said, her voice rising. "The fact that yo

y, stepping closer. "I was trying to protect u

ve him. She wanted to let this go and just

your secrets?" Mia asked, her voice barely above a wh

flicker in his eyes-something dark and distant, like he was hiding mo

id, his voice firm but gentle. "I

e telling the truth, or was there more he wasn't saying? She ha

pulling away from his touch. "I

f something unreadable crossing his fea

cking. "But I can't keep going like this. No

tightening. "You do trust me.

way he said it, as if he believed he knew her better than she knew herself. An

her voice firmer now. "I'll ca

oor, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't look back as she lef

fusion, anger, and hurt. She didn't know what to do anymore-didn't know who to trust. Everything felt lik

moment, she thought it might be Ethan again. Bu

onight? I

with Ethan to deal with her boyfriend. She didn't deserve him-not with all the lies s

ords. She needed to see him. She needed something normal, something stable i

elt a wave of guilt wash over her. Liam looked at her with that easy smile of his, his eyes lighting up the wa

side. "I've got your favorite wine and

down the guilt that was bubbling u

plate. Liam was talking, telling her about his day, but the words barely registered. All she could thin

his brow furrowing as he look

of her thoughts. "Yeah, I

nvinced. "If something's bothering

ee of the weight of her lies. But how could she? How could she look him in the eye and tell h

o him, resting her head on his shoulder. "I kno

his arm wrapping around her. "Take

eserve this-didn't deserve to be lied to. But Mia couldn't

ped-caught between two worlds, two men, and two versions of herself. One part of her craved the safety and secur

heart skipped a beat. She reached for it, h

nished, Mia. C

s from

knew she shouldn't respond-knew she should turn off her phone and

screen, and before she knew it

e there

end, her h