Chapter 3 3

The sunlight grew brighter, piercing through the window with a golden insistence that dragged Lila back to reality. She blinked, her mind still clouded in the soft warmth of sleep, feeling the weight of Ethan's arm draped over her waist. For a moment, she allowed herself the luxury of staying in this unfamiliar intimacy, listening to his steady breathing, savoring the quiet comfort that came from being wrapped in his presence.

But reality was a persistent intruder. Soon, thoughts of last night began to resurface, their depth and intensity coming back in waves. She hadn't just crossed a line; she'd leaped over it with eyes wide open, knowing full well that Ethan Sterling was the last man she should be with. The stakes were high enough with Julian's betrayal; now, with Ethan, it was as if she had signed up for a web of even greater complications.

Carefully, she shifted to sit up, holding her breath as she peeled herself from his warmth. Ethan stirred but didn't wake. His face was peaceful, a stark contrast to the powerful, commanding demeanor he wore awake. For a moment, Lila felt the temptation to stay, to wake him gently and face whatever came next together.

Instead, she slipped out of bed, gathering her clothes with as much silence as she could manage, her pulse quickening as she tiptoed to the door. She needed to clear her head, to put distance between herself and the whirlwind of emotions Ethan had awoken within her. She slipped into her shoes, glancing one last time at his sleeping form before gently closing the door behind her.

The hallway felt cold, sterile compared to the warmth of his suite. She felt a pang of guilt for leaving like this, but it was better this way-clean, with no words to complicate what had been a fleeting moment, a single night of forgetting. She pressed the elevator button, drawing in a deep breath as the doors slid open. The weight of her reality sank in once more as she stepped inside, the silence enveloping her as she descended back to the ground floor, back to the world she had tried so desperately to escape last night.

The cab ride back to her apartment was a blur. She stared out the window, the city rushing by in streaks of light and shadow, her thoughts still lingering on Ethan's touch, the way his gaze had felt like it could see straight into her soul. She hadn't expected to find someone who understood her pain, much less Julian's brother. And yet, Ethan had done more than just understand. He had given her a glimpse of something she'd lost a long time ago: hope.

By the time she reached her building, the reality of her situation had settled over her in full force. She needed to get her father out of prison. That had been the goal, the driving force behind everything she'd done since Julian had cast her aside. Last night with Ethan had been a distraction-one she couldn't afford to indulge in again.

She stepped into her apartment, closing the door softly as if afraid to shatter the fragile remnants of the night before. Her phone buzzed, breaking the silence, and she glanced at the screen, her stomach tightening when she saw Julian's name flashing. She hadn't heard from him since that brutal breakup, hadn't expected to hear from him at all after the way he'd coldly dismissed her.

Against her better judgment, she answered, her voice guarded. "Julian."

"Lila," Julian's tone was clipped, formal, and it grated against her. "I need to see you."

Her jaw clenched. "There's nothing left to talk about."

"Actually, there is," he replied, a faint edge in his voice. "It concerns your father."

A wave of anger and fear surged through her, his words hitting a raw nerve. He's doing this to manipulate you again. But the slight tremor in her hands betrayed her resolve. "Fine," she said, keeping her voice steady. "Where?"

He named a high-end restaurant in midtown, the kind of place they used to go together, back when she'd thought his intentions were genuine. She gritted her teeth. "I'll be there in an hour."

She hung up, her mind reeling with possibilities, each one worse than the last. Julian was playing a dangerous game, but her father's freedom was at stake. She couldn't afford to let her emotions cloud her judgment-not now. Last night's encounter with Ethan would have to remain a memory, locked away and untouched.

When she arrived at the restaurant, Julian was already seated, his gaze cold and calculating as she approached. He looked as polished as ever, his expensive suit perfectly tailored, his expression unreadable. Lila slid into the seat opposite him, resisting the urge to cross her arms defensively.

"Thank you for coming," Julian said, a smile that didn't reach his eyes tugging at his lips.

"Get to the point, Julian." Her tone was sharp, her patience hanging by a thread.

Julian's gaze flickered, his smile fading as he leaned forward. "Your father is facing serious charges, Lila. Embezzlement, fraud... these are not accusations that can be easily dismissed."

Her jaw tightened. "And you know as well as I do that he's innocent. You and your family set him up."

Julian didn't flinch, his expression cool. "Whether he's guilty or not doesn't matter. What matters is how we can handle this... situation."

She narrowed her eyes, her fingers curling into fists under the table. "What are you offering?"

He leaned back, his gaze assessing. "I still care about you, Lila. If you're willing to consider... a compromise, I might be able to help your father."

"A compromise?" She couldn't believe his audacity, the cold manipulation behind his words. "You're unbelievable, Julian."

He shrugged, as if her anger was of no consequence. "This is business, Lila. Emotions have no place here. If you want my help, you'll do what's necessary."

A chill ran down her spine, and for a brief moment, she was paralyzed by the weight of her own helplessness. But then, Ethan's words echoed in her mind: Sometimes, letting go is the only way to take control again.

Her anger dissolved into something colder, something sharper. She straightened, her gaze hardening as she met Julian's eyes. "I don't need your help. I'll find another way."

Julian's face darkened, his calm slipping for the first time. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"

She forced a smile, one that felt stronger than anything she'd felt in a long time. "That's none of your concern."

Without another word, she rose from her seat, turning on her heel and walking away, leaving Julian staring after her, his expression twisted in frustration. She didn't need him. She would figure this out on her own, and if Ethan could help her, then maybe-just maybe-she could finally take control of her own life, on her own terms.

As she stepped out into the busy city streets, the sound of her phone buzzing in her bag pulled her back to reality. She pulled it out, her breath catching when she saw Ethan's name on the screen. Her fingers hovered over the screen, uncertainty tightening in her chest. But as she glanced back at the restaurant behind her, where Julian had tried to pull her back into his twisted games, she made a decision.

She answered, her voice steady. "Ethan."

"Lila." His voice was calm, reassuring. "I just wanted to make sure you got home safely."

A warmth spread through her, melting the last of her lingering doubts. "I did. Thank you."

There was a pause, and she could almost feel his presence through the phone, solid and unshakable. "If you need anything... you know where to find me."

A small smile played on her lips as she looked out at the bustling streets, a renewed sense of determination filling her. "Actually, Ethan, I think I could use your help."

In that moment, she knew she was stepping into something dangerous, something that would change everything. But for the first time in a long time, she felt in control of her own fate. And as she took a deep breath, feeling the weight of that decision, she couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, she had finally found someone she could trust.