Veronica's POV
The resort's dining area was filled with the soft murmur of conversations, the clinking of cutlery, and the scent of fresh croissants. I took my seat by the glass windows, intending to enjoy a quiet breakfast before heading back.
And then I saw them.
Ethan and Ember.
He was sitting close—closer than necessary. She was laughing at something he said, and he looked… different. Not cold or guarded. He looked relaxed. Happy.
He reached out to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear.
Something twisted inside me.
I had seen Ethan smile countless times. But this? This smile was warm. Intimate. Real.
Ember leaned into his side without hesitation, whispering something that made him chuckle.
I gripped the edge of my coffee cup tightly, my stomach turning.
Was this real?
Or just another part of their plan to make me jealous?
Either way… it was working.
I stood up abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. I couldn't take it anymore—the way he looked at her, like she was his world.
I marched over to their table. Ember's laughter faltered when she saw me. Ethan turned, surprised.
"We need to talk," I said sharply, ignoring Ember completely.
Ethan's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Let's go."
We stepped away from the crowd, just far enough for privacy but still in sight. I folded my arms, my voice low and trembling.
"So this is it?" I snapped. "You're really moving on with her?"
Ethan raised a brow. "What do you care, Veronica? You're engaged to Lucian."
"I never stopped caring," I hissed. "But you… you gave up so easily."
"No," he said quietly, his voice like ice. "You gave up the moment you assumed the worst without asking for the truth. You walked away when I needed you to believe in me."
"I was hurt," I whispered. "I loved you."
"And I loved you," he said. "But now, I'm not so sure."
He glanced back toward Ember, who was watching silently, worry in her eyes. "Because someone else stood by me when you walked away
Ethan's POV
When I returned to the table, Ember was sipping her juice, eyes fixed on Veronica's retreating figure. A sly smile curled on her lips the moment I sat down.
"She's jealous now," she said, barely hiding her satisfaction.
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You think so?"
"She couldn't stand the way you looked at me," Ember said with a soft chuckle, leaning closer. "She'll come back to you… probably even before we reach home."
I studied her for a second—her confidence, her playfulness, the faint blush that colored her cheeks.
"You really think this was all just for her?" I asked, voice low.
She blinked, caught off guard. "Wasn't it?"
I smiled but didn't answer.
We reached home late in the evening. Damian was already at the entrance, waiting. The moment he saw me, he pulled me into a hug, patting my back.
"Welcome home, bro," he grinned, then turned to Ember and hugged her as well. "How was the trip?"
Ember gave a small smile. "Not as bad as I thought it would be."
I noticed the flicker of something in Damian's eyes, but it vanished just as fast.
Inside, I found out that Mom had returned too—from visiting Grandpa. Stella Hart. The name alone carried power, elegance, and a gaze sharp enough to see through anything.
The Next Morning
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, painting golden streaks across the sheets. Ember was still curled up against me, her soft breaths tickling my chest. My arm was wrapped around her, and a small smile played on my lips.
Last night had been… intense. Real.
A knock sounded on the door.
Ember stirred, her eyes fluttering open in confusion. As realization hit, she sat up quickly. "Bathroom," she whispered and hurried off.
I sat up just as the door creaked open.
Damian stepped in. "Hey, where's Ember?" he asked, looking around the room casually.
"She's in the washroom," I replied, voice calm.
He nodded, but his eyes lingered on the messy sheets, the faint traces of last night
When Ember returned from the bathroom, she avoided my eyes as she quickly changed. Her cheeks were flushed, probably from the rush—or maybe from the memory of last night. She tried to keep it casual.
"Oh, come on, Ember," Damian called out from outside the room. "We can have breakfast with the family. Mom's waiting."
She nodded quickly. "Coming!"
I watched as she hurried out, pulling her hair into a loose ponytail on the way. That flustered look… I smirked.
She was trying so hard to act normal.