4
622words
Then after a while he relaxed.
"Trying to provoke me,huh?Been too long since I touched you,and you're itching?"
Before,those words felt like flirty banter.
Now,they sent chills through my body.
Disgusting.
"Sophie,I know you better than you know yourself."
Ethan fished out a cigarette from his pocket,lighting it with calm confidence.
Smoke drifted toward my face.
I just furrowed slightly.
Yeah,he knew me well.
Knew I was bold on the outside,conservative at heart.
Knew how much he meant to me.
And still chose to be with the person I hated most.
Perfect.
The man I loved had hurt me deepest.
"Sure, if you're into the whole contract marriage thing, I won’t stop you.."
I didn't want to stay another second.I got up to leave.
Outside,I texted Lucas,telling him I'd wait for him outside his campus.
He was still a senior in college.
At the school gate,I reached for a cigarette,but someone snatched it away.
I opened my mouth to snap,then saw Lucas standing there.
I frowned."You're crossing a line."
Honestly,free from Ethan,I wasn't intimidated by anyone.
Three years had turned me into someone almost as brash as him.
Lucas tossed the cigarette and leaned close."Girl,quit having nicotine inside you. Have me inside you."
His words startled me,and I stumbled back.
Behind him,students trickled out,teasing,"Is this your..."
Before they could finish,Lucas kicked one of them hard.
"Lucas,you still eating with us?"
"What,his girlfriend's here!"
"Girlfriend?He hasn't even won her over yet!"
...
Once they left,Lucas pulled me back onto campus.
"Since you're here,let me show you around."
Lucas was impressive.
At thirteen,he was a prodigy recommended to a top university.
By sixteen,he'd studied abroad,racking up awards and hundreds of patents.
Walking through campus,people would stop and look at him everywhere.
I felt the pressure.
"Girl,what were you like as a student?"
I paused.
In college,I was a star.
I was set to study abroad,hosted major campus events because of my looks,was always the top of my major.
The university's poster girl—beauty and brains.
But Ethan hated studying.When he heard I was going abroad,his face darkened.
"If you go,you can forget about me."
I asked why."We're not from the same world.Unless you stay, like me."
Because of that,I gave up my chance to study abroad.
Noticing my mood,Lucas took my hand."It's okay.I'm here."
Years ago,when Chloe first entered our family,Ethan had said the same.
"It's okay,I'm here.What's there to fear?"
Then it became,"Chloe's not like that.You're misunderstanding her."
Suddenly,I was terrified.
Terrified Lucas was another Ethan.
Terrified of falling into another abyss.
But then I thought,I had only met Lucas a few times.
Why think so much?
I slipped my hand free.
Lucas's face darkened."What's wrong?"
"I've thought it over.We can't keep doing this."
Ethan might not love me or stay loyal to me,but out marriage was inevitable.
I was the lamb at his slaughter.
I couldn't fight my dad's cunning or refuse the Carters'goodwill.
Marriage was probably my fate,even if it was without love.
Lucas clenched his fists,brows knitting."Girl,you’re not serious?You still love him?"
I frowned."This isn't about him.We barely know each other..."
"Can't be a couple,huh?"
I sighed.
I admitted,his attracted me a lot.
Young,vibrant,wealthy.
And his skills in bed?Unmatched.
But I couldn't keep doing something I knew was wrong.
When you know things would end bad, better end it quickly and early.
I said firmly,"We're adults.Let's be mature about this."
Lucas sneered."Can't be a couple?Fine,let's just hook up."
I opened my mouth to argue,but he tossed me his phone."Book a hotel.No more talking."
Aside from not dating,everything was great.
I suddenly understood Ethan.
Having it all felt damn good.
My waist,though,paid the price.
By midnight,I was practically draped over him.
My phone on the nightstand rang.
