Lena's heart raced as she stared at the message.
I GOT AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR YOU
Her fingers trembled. The capital letters. The eerily familiar tone. It was unmistakably the same sender who had once guided her to the truth about Ethan and Vivian. Someone out there still had access to her—and they weren't done.
She turned her head slowly, her eyes landing on Ethan's sleeping figure. His chest rose and fell in steady rhythm, his features softened in the quiet light of the room. For a moment, he looked younger, gentler. The weight he always carried was gone in sleep.
"No," she whispered to herself, dropping the phone onto the nightstand as if it burned her fingers. "Not again."
Curling into his warmth, she shut her eyes tight and buried her face in his chest, seeking comfort in his scent. But her thoughts screamed louder than the silence in the room. Questions tore at her peace. Who was this person? What did they want this time? Why now? What if it wasn't a warning—but a threat?
Sleep didn't come.
---
Morning arrived with golden sunlight filtering through the curtains. But the brightness didn't match the storm inside her.
"Are you okay?"
Ethan's voice startled her. She looked up to see him standing at the foot of the bed, holding a tray of breakfast—eggs, toast, a slice of melon, and black coffee—his idea of a balanced morning.
"You didn't sleep much," he added, setting the tray down beside her.
She blinked. "Yeah, I guess I… had a weird dream."
He raised an eyebrow, studying her face. "You sure?"
"Why?" she asked too quickly.
"You look… off." He shifted the tray so it balanced comfortably on her lap, careful not to spill the coffee. "Did I snore again?"
A weak laugh escaped her. "No. You were perfect." She kissed him, hoping it would mask the chill still wrapped around her heart.
He didn't look convinced, but let it go.
"I was thinking about what you said," he said, walking to the window and pulling the curtains fully open.
"About what?"
"Bringing color into the house."
Her eyes widened. "Really?"
He shrugged. "A splash of something different won't kill me. Maybe live flowers for the dining table. Something… you'd pick."
Her lips curled in surprise. "How about we combine our favorite colors? Like… a fresh start."
He turned to her. "Alright. I like that. A fresh start."
She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Now eat. You have school?"
"No. Just a Zoom lecture later."
He bent to kiss her forehead. "Good. Rest. You look like you need it."
When he finally left, Lena stared at the door long after it closed. Then she snatched her phone.
The message from last night was gone—automatically deleted. But there was another.
HE IS NOT WHO YOU THINK HE IS
Her stomach dropped. The walls felt like they were closing in.
What do you want? she typed, her fingers trembling.
The response came within seconds.
I KNOW MORE DIRT ABOUT HIM THAN YOU DO. HE'S GOING DOWN. I DON'T WANT YOU CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE.
She swallowed hard. Her heart pounded in her chest. This is insane. This isn't real.
Who are you? she replied.
SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT YOU.
Lena scoffed. Her fear turned to defiance. But deep down, a knot formed.
You're a coward. If this is a game, I'm done playing. How do you even know I'm not showing this to him right now?
Another instant reply.
PRANKS? I DON'T PLAY PRANKS. HOW ABOUT I DROP A BOMB ON YOU?
She hesitated. Her thumb hovered over the block button.
YOU ARE IN A CONTRACT MARRIAGE WITH HIM. SURPRISE?
The phone slipped from her hands and landed on the duvet. She stared at it as if it had physically hurt her.
No… she thought. This person is lying. They have to be.
But the voice in her head wouldn't quiet: What if they're not?
She picked the phone back up, her pulse racing.
That's not true. Our marriage is real. I know him.
The reply came:
YOU'RE BETTER THAN THIS, LENA. THINK. IF YOU TELL HIM SOMEONE KNOWS ABOUT YOUR CONTRACT, WHO LOSES MORE? YOU DO. HE'D PROTECT HIMSELF AND LET YOU TAKE THE FALL.
Tears spilled down her cheeks. Her whole body trembled. What if they're right? What if she's been a pawn all along?
She couldn't respond. Couldn't think.
Her phone vibrated again.
I KNOW A PART OF YOU BELIEVES ME. LET'S BUILD TRUST. I'LL PROVE EVERYTHING. IN TIME.
She stared at the message until it disappeared.
She didn't reply.
Didn't have the strength.
She lay down, blankly watching the ceiling, her thoughts spiraling like a whirlwind, until the doorbell rang.
She jumped.
Running to the door, she opened it to find a delivery man holding a bouquet of vibrant tulips. Her favorites. Again.
Another note hung from the bouquet:
> Dinner Date? Yes or Yes. —E.
For the first time that day, she smiled.
She pressed the flowers to her chest, closed her eyes, and let herself feel loved.
Just for a moment.
She dialed his number.
He picked up immediately. "So what do you say?"
"Yes," she said, breathless and real.
Their first real date. No more pretending. No more hiding.
And in that moment, she made a silent vow:
No matter who tries to come between us… I'm not letting go of Ethan.
Not yet.