Ethan's POV
The morning was too bright for my taste, and everything felt too loud — the clinking of luggage wheels, the quiet shuffle of Ember's feet behind me, and the silent weight of what we were about to do.
My private jet was ready. The crew had already started loading the bags. Everything was smooth. Controlled. Predictable.
Until Damian ran up to us, slightly out of breath.
"Wait!" he called.
We both turned.
He handed Ember a bag — neatly packed, clearly something she wasn't expecting.
"What is this?" she asked, confused.
"Just... some dresses," Damian said, smiling, a little shy. "And a few things to make you feel like yourself. Some makeup too."
She opened her mouth to speak, but emotion seemed to get the better of her. Instead of words, she threw her arms around him in a tight hug.
"I'll miss you," she whispered. "Without you, I don't think I could have stood through any of this."
I watched the scene quietly, my hands in my pockets. I didn't say anything.
The hum of the engines filled the cabin, smooth and constant. Ember sat across from me, by the window, clutching Damian's bag like it was a shield. She looked out, not saying a word. I was grateful for the silence.
I leaned back in my seat, pulling out my phone.
Still no reply.
Three days.
Dozens of calls.
Countless messages.
Veronica.
Nothing
I looked over at Ember. She sat stiffly, her posture tense. Not once since we boarded had she tried to talk to me. Probably scared I'd snap again.
Good.
Let her be scared.
"Do you want anything to drink?" the attendant asked politely.
"Whiskey," I muttered.
Ember shook her head quickly when the attendant turned to her. "I'm fine, thank you."
Even her voice annoyed me.
But then… I caught a glimpse of her reflection in the window. She looked tired. Worn down. Smaller than usual, like the weight of all this was crushing her.
For a moment, guilt tried to creep in.
But I shoved it away.
No matter how innocent she looked, this mess had her name written
I didn't have the energy to fake smiles or play pretend, not after everything that's happened. But when her small hand slid into mine and she looked up with that rehearsed smile, I knew the cameras were still watching.
So, I leaned down and kissed her forehead. A shallow move for the audience. She smiled like it meant something.
The car was waiting, just like my father had arranged. Luxury. Perfect. Cold.
We sat in silence, the distance between us in the car feeling heavier than it should. I tried again to call Veronica, sending yet another message. No reply.My chest tightened, but I shoved the phone back into my pocket.
When we reached the resort, I noticed Ember's expression shift. The place was overly romantic — glowing lanterns, candles everywhere, a path of petals, soft music humming in the background. My jaw tightened.
She looked enchanted. "It's beautiful…" she whispered.
I didn't say anything. What was there to say?
But then we reached the suite.
She opened the door first and stopped in her tracks. I stepped in behind her and even I had to blink a few times.
Candles. Petals. A giant bed that looked like it belonged in a fantasy. Curtains draped like a fairy tale. Everything screamed honeymoon bliss — a setup for a love that didn't exist.
"Wohhh," she breathed, spinning slowly to take it all in.
I watched her, silently.
This whole trip was a performance. But inside, I felt like I was suffocating.
And the worst part?
She didn't look like she was faking the smile this time.