I huff. “I was an idiot.”
I’ve never talked to anyone about what happened. Five years is a long time to hold something like this inside, and it feels both liberating and terrifying to finally voice it.
“Ethan and Lucas were friends from college. Lucas introduced me to him in passing. I thought Ethan was attractive, and when he started showing up at places I was at and treating me like I mattered—I didn’t even know they had fallen out until I went to Lucas after what happened. When he found out that I had slept with Ethan, that’s when he exploded.”
“But why?” Sarah asks as I straighten up. “You didn’t know. And Ethan had manipulated you.”
I lift my shoulders, turning the magazine over and looking at his picture, my heart feeling hollow. “Lucas didn’t see it that way. I slept with his best-friend-turned-business-rival.”
A shuddering breath escapes me as I tilt my head back to stare at the ceiling, willing the tears away. The vicious scars he left on my heart have never fully healed.
“Anyway, it’s in the past. Ethan showing up like this... There was a contract I signed with the company three months back. I needed the money for Mom’s debts. I’m stuck for four years now, and I can’t leave. I think—” I look at my friend. “Sarah, I think Ethan had something to do with that contract.”
“I thought the takeover happened recently.” Sarah picks up the plates and puts them in the sink.
“Braxton, the previous CEO, stopped all contracts from being renewed a few months ago. I should have wondered why that was. The ones that were renewed were made out to be temporary ones. I didn’t think much of it because, well, the guy was temperamental. When my contract was up for renewal, he called me into his office and gave me the one I ended up signing. If the money issue hadn’t been hanging over my head, I wouldn’t have signed it.”
Sarah looks thoughtful. “I think you mentioned it. But if you don’t want to stay, can’t you just break the contract? What’s the worst that can happen?”
“I’ll go bankrupt,” I reply tightly. “Ethan’s assistant told me that all contracts issued around that time were through Ethan, and I have a feeling he was the one who had my contract drafted. Or maybe it’s paranoia. I just can’t shake this feeling.”
“He doesn’t want you to leave,” Sarah murmurs, realization dawning on her face.
“He’s up to something.” My fingers pick at the sleeve of myblouse nervously. “I don’t know what it is, but he’s being less than professional with me.”
“What do you mean?”
“He took my hair in his finger and was playing with it.”
The smack I receive on the back of my head makes me jolt as Sarah scolds me. “Why did you let him get that close to you in the first place?”
“What did you want me to do? Sucker punch him?” I retort, rubbing the back of my head.
Sarah hesitates, examining me with sharp eyes. “Has he said anything else?”
“He’s been polite but a little close, if you know what I mean. He did say something that had me on edge.” My friend leans forward expectantly as I admit slowly, “I thought he was trying to become another Braxton, but he said that he was only interested in one woman.”
Sarah’s eyes widen at my words. “Well. The man’s making a statement.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t you go falling for it. He’s up to something.”
“Does he know you and Lucas aren’t on friendly terms?” my friend questions.
My jaw twitches. “No.”
A small ache blooms in my heart.
Is that what this is? Is he here for round two?
Is he trying to use me again? I’ve kept away from every mention of Ethan and Lucas, walking away when their names reached my ears. I’ve lived with the pain of betrayal for so long that my heart didn’t feel like taking any unnecessary lashing.
Ethan was my first in every way, and what he did to me scarred me in a way where I have never been able to trust another man. I realized there was no one I could ever turn to, no one I could fully trust and lay bare my soul to.
So I chose my work. It’s the only thing that holds metogether, that tires me out enough so I’m not reminded at night of how alone I am in this world.
If Ethan is trying to find another way to hurt me, he’s perilously close to succeeding.
Sensing my distress, Sarah says darkly, “Egging his car is still an option, Nat. Just say the word. You don’t even have to join me. I know some people who owe me a favor. They’ll do it. Nobody will be the wiser.”
