Chapter 1
After 999th sex with Ethan Miller, he’s still just as crazy as ever.
The next morning, Avery Collins woke up covered in hickeys, wincing at every move.[]
The room was filled with an air of tension. Ethan’s arms wrapped around her, enjoying her warmth as he casually said, “Wear something proper tomorrow. Come to my parents‘ with me.“]
Avery looked up in shock, hope flooding her voice.
“So we’re finally… going public?”
Ethan cocked an eyebrow with a smirk. “Public? What? No. I’ve got a date at my family’s dinner party. Need you there to keep things from getting awkward.“[]
His words hit like a truck.
Her heart stopped, mind blank. “A date? Then what the hell am I?“]]
Already dressing, Ethan gave her a lazy glance. “You? You’re my buddy. Food buddy, gaming buddy… and fuck buddy.“]]
A chill ran through Avery’s body, all color draining from her face.
Seeing her expression, Ethan’s smile faded as he leaned in. “Wait… Avery, don’t tell me you thought I was your boyfriend all this time?“]
His amused tone cut straight through her heart.]
Fighting back tears, her voice cracked, “No!. I’m gonna shower.“]]
Avery stumbled to the bathroom on shaky legs.
The second the door closed, she collapsed to the floor.
His words echoing, she stared at the marks all over her body. Tears poured down her face.
Twenty years of dating. Growing up together. Sharing everything.
Then that drunken night at eighteen when they first slept together.]
Once became twice, became countless times…]
Nights of passion, days filled with couple–like intimacy.
Holding hands in crowds, New Year’s kisses with promises for the future, hour–long phone calls just because…]
Avery always thought they were together–just keeping it secret.]]
Now Ethan was saying they were just friends?
The pain was unbearable. She cranked the shower to drown out her sobs.
Eventually, the tears stopped, and she pulled herself together. Ethan already dressed, was sitting on the couch, talking on the phone.]]
“A big private room, yeah,lots of people coming. She likes lighter food, so Continental works. Black Forest cake for dessert. Pink and white roses–send me pics of the setup. Oh, prepare a dozen or so black suits. Sophia only likes black.”
That name froze Avery in place.[]
She glanced over to see a sweet smile on his lips.
Sophia? His blind date was Sophia Grant?
The light in her eyes faded.]
If it was Sophia, everything made sense.
In high school, Ethan was obsessed with Sophia, constantly talking about her.
Before he could make a move, Sophia left the country.]
He never mentioned her again after that.
When she and Ethan got closer, Avery thought he’d moved on.]
She never realized his perfect girl remained unmentioned but never forgotten.
Chapter 1
The pain surged back, making her drop her phone with a loud thud.
Ethan turned, smiling. “All done? you’re checking out later? I’ve already paid for the room.”
m.“)
Grabbing his jacket to leave, he turned back with a mocking smile.
“Avery, you’re just my buddy. Drop the heartbroken look–it’s making me think you’ve got the wrong idea.“[]
“I know every little thing about you. One look and you read my mind. Boring, right? Dating would get old real fast.”[]
His voice faded with his footsteps, but the words burrowed into Avery’s heart.]
She sat on the cold bed, laughing until her laughter turned to tears.
rs.0
So that’s how he’d seen her all these years.
She stayed until nightfall before checking out.
It was pouring, but she seemed oblivious to it, stumbling her way back home.
Her parents rushed over with towels, worried: “Jesus, why didn’t you take an Uber?“)]
Avery looked at them with dead eyes, voice hoarse.
“Dad, Mom, you’ve been talking about moving Spain for work, right? Let’s do it. Let’s move and never come back.“[]
After months of trying to convince her, they were shocked. ” Are you sure? Did you break up with that boyfriend?“[]
Remembering Ethan’s words, Avery breathed a bitter laugh.]
“There was never a boyfriend. I made him up to get you off about dating.”
Though suspicious, her parents were thrilled,
tiled, rushing to prepare paperwork while elling her to pack:]
Avery nodded and went to her room, trashing everything related to Ethan.[]
Photo albums kept for years, jewelry, clothes, handmades…”
All in the garbage.
“Miss? you’re really throwing them away?” the housekeeper asked, looking shocked.
Avery nodded softly, her voice hollow.
“I don’t need them anymore.“]
Not just those things, but this relationship and Ethan–she didn’t want any of it.]]
