Chapter: CHAPTER 23ANNMy hand slowly slipped off the door handle. Lisa and Duke were locked in a hot kiss. The kind that made it clear I wasn’t supposed to be there.They didn’t even notice the door had opened. I stood there for a second too long before quietly closing the door and moving back. I moved fast enough to keep myself from breaking.By the time I reached the stairs, my chest was aching very badly.“Is everything okay, Ann?” Luna asked softly.“Yes,” I said, forcing my voice to stay normal, “Please, don’t tell Duke I came by. He’s busy. I don’t want to disturb him. I’ll see him another time.”She hesitated, then nodded.“Okay.”I didn’t wait. If I stayed one more second, I would fall apart in front of her.*****I don’t remember how I drove home. I just know I got there somehow because my vision had been blurred the whole time while I was driving. I have been crying so hard.I pulled into the driveway but didn’t get out. I stayed in the car, still and empty, staring ahead without seeing anyth
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2026-04-28
Chapter: CHAPTER 22ANNIt was Harry.He was about to throw another punch, but I grabbed his arm quickly and dragged him outside.“You should have let me finish him,” he said, still angry.The tension in me slowly melted away.“Thank you, Harry,” I said softly. “I appreciate it.”“It’s nothing,” he replied. “Come on, I’ll take you home. I’ll send someone to bring your car.”When we got back, Duke was pacing outside, his phone pressed to his ear.The moment he saw me step out of Harry’s car, he stopped.“Looks like someone’s been waiting for you,” Harry said lightly.I didn’t respond. I already knew Duke had been trying to reach me. My phone had been off the whole time.I had only sent Louis a message about leaving.“Thank you for today,” I told Harry. “I’ll head in now.”Duke followed me inside immediately.“You can’t keep doing this,” he said the moment the door closed. “Shutting me out every time something goes wrong. You left without a word. Your phone has been off. And now you’re out with him.”His v
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2026-04-27
Chapter: CHAPTER 21ANN“You can take a shot if you don’t want to do the dare,” Duke said.“Come on,” David cut in quickly. “That’s the easy way out. This is simple.”I almost laughed. Nothing about my life right now is simple. I knew I had to do it.If I backed out, Lisa would have more reason to watch me, question me, dig into things I wasn’t ready to explain.“Dare accepted,” I said.I stood up.Walked straight to Louis; before I could think too much about it, I sat on his thighs and leaned in.The room erupted into cheers and whistles from the boys. I shut it out and reached for his lips.The kiss was slow, just like I remembered from years ago.Louis had always been a good kisser. He took his time, never rushing to swallow both lips. Unlike years ago, this one feels empty. There is no pull or emotion behind it.I was acting for Lisa. In the middle of the kiss, Duke's face flashed in my head.By the time I pulled away, the time was already up. It felt longer than it should have.“I could pay to watch
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2026-04-27
Chapter: CHAPTER 20ANN“Don’t worry, Duke,” I said calmly. “I’ll finish the project we have. I’m sure Coach won’t disturb me.”I said it mostly to ease the tension he had just created.He had been too firm.If he kept going like that, everything would fall apart, and I was not ready for that.“I’ll take her to the room,” Louis said.The room was a very spacious suite. “You know,” Louis started, leaning against the edge of the bed, “I wish all of this were real again. You being my girlfriend like before.”I closed my eyes briefly. This is what I don’t want.“What would it take to win you back, Ann?” he continued. “I know time has passed. I know things have changed. But my heart, it hasn’t.”I stayed quiet.“I’ve been in relationships,” he added. “But nothing stayed. I couldn’t love any of them.”My body felt heavy and tired. All I wanted was a shower and sleep.Not a confession I didn’t ask for. I forced a small smile.“Can we talk about this later?” I said gently. “I’m really tired.”He studied me for
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2026-04-26
Chapter: CHAPTER 19ANNMy eyes were fully open now.I hoped he couldn’t hear how fast my heart was beating, because I could hear it loud and clear.How do I even explain what happened last night, when I don’t even understand it myself?It had never happened to me before. That level of horniness, I couldn’t even control it. “My neighbour invited me over for dinner last night,” I said, forcing my voice to stay stable “Everything was fine until I saw Lisa jump into your arms and kiss you.”I paused, swallowing hard.“I think I got jealous,” I added quietly.“I left early, came back home, had some wine, I guess it made me tipsy.” I pointed at the torn pants he was holding. “And that happened. The pants are loose; I must have pulled them off in the process.”I didn’t even stutter.The lie flowed too easily. That scared me more, knowing how I am becoming good at that.“I asked the staff to take the day off,” I added quickly.He looked at me for a moment.Then his arms wrapped around me. Finally, I could brea
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2026-04-26
Chapter: CHAPTER 18ANNI almost forgot I wasn’t alone.“Yes, I’m fine,” I said quickly.“You suddenly look sad,” Harry said, studying my face.I forced a smile.Even though my chest still felt tight.Even though all I wanted was to go home, lie down, and hide my face in a pillow.“I’m good,” I said. “I just missed the game.”I raised the glass and took a longer sip than I should have.“Can I ask you something?” I said suddenly.“Go ahead,” he replied, calmly serving food onto my plate.“Would you date an older woman?” I asked. “Like eight to ten years difference.”He paused, then smirked.Harry had this way of looking at people, slightly lowering his eyes, studying them like he could see past whatever they were trying to hide. It made me uneasy.Not in a bad way.But not entirely comfortable either.“I don’t really think age matters,” he said. “But if I’m being honest, most men care. They want someone younger. Someone easier to show off without question.”He shrugged lightly.“But personally? I don’t th
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2026-04-25
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