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Bouquet Of Deception 47
47EthanI stood there, still holding Riley’s hand, feeling the weight of his words settle between us. He wasn’t pushing me away—not really. He was scared. And for the first time, he actually admitted it.That had to count for something.I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. “So… what now?”Riley let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. “Hell if I know.”I studied him—his shoulders were tense, his eyes shadowed with exhaustion. He looked like he hadn’t slept at all.“Did you get any rest last night?” I asked.He scoffed. “What do you think?”“I think you look like you’ve been hit by a truck.”“Wow,” he deadpanned. “Thanks, Ethan. Always a confidence booster.”I smirked. “Just saying, you should eat something. And sleep. Maybe in that order.”He rolled his eyes. “You sound like my mom.”“Your mom’s got the right idea.”“She also thinks lavender oil can cure anxiety.”“Okay, so maybe not all her ideas.”He snorted, shaking his head, but he didn’t argue. That was a small victory.Sile
Last Updated : 2025-03-18Bouquet Of Deception 48
48RileyI stood frozen in Ethan’s doorway, my lips still tingling from the kiss. My heartbeat was a frantic mess, my thoughts even worse. I hadn’t planned on this. Hadn’t planned on any of this.But the way he looked at me, the way his fingers curled around my wrist like he wasn’t ready to let go—I almost told him everything.I wanted to.But fear kept my mouth shut.If he knew the truth, he’d see me differently. Worse—he’d be in danger.So I swallowed it down, plastering on the best smirk I could manage. “Well… that was unexpected.”Ethan huffed a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah. It was.”Silence settled between us, thick with everything we weren’t saying.I shifted my weight. “I should—”“Yeah.”I bent down to grab my bag, my fingers tightening around the strap. Ethan didn’t move, but I could feel his eyes on me. I knew if I looked at him, if I let myself hesitate even a second longer, I’d lose whatever resolve I had left.So I didn’t. I pulled the bag over my shoulder a
Last Updated : 2025-03-19Bouquet Of Deception 49
49EthanI passed my Sunday alone. I was already used to Riley’s presence in my place, his quiet remarks, the way he always left his coffee cup in the same spot on the counter. But now… nothing.Ava was working a late shift at the bar and wouldn’t be back until morning, leaving me completely on my own. At first, I told myself I didn’t mind. I played some music, watched some TV, even attempted to read a book—but the silence pressed in, making the walls feel too close.Every now and then, my gaze drifted toward the door. Riley’s apartment was just next door. I hadn’t heard a single sound from there all night.Something wasn’t right.I hesitated, then shook my head. He probably just needed space. He had been acting strange earlier—distracted, tense. Maybe he was dealing with something, and I was just being paranoid.But the thought nagged at me, refusing to go away.By the time midnight rolled around, I’d lost the argument with myself. I got up, ran a hand through my hair, and walked out
Last Updated : 2025-03-20Bouquet Of Deception 50
50 Ethan The phone felt heavier in my hand than it should have. I stared at the screen, waiting for those three dots to reappear—but they didn’t. Just an empty screen, mocking me.I swallowed hard, my throat dry. Something gnawed at my gut, a tension that refused to fade. I told myself I was overthinking. Maybe he changed his mind about replying. Maybe he just set his phone down.Or maybe—I shook my head. No. I needed to stop.I exhaled sharply, pushing off the counter. The weight in my chest didn’t ease as I moved toward the bathroom, turning the faucet on. Cold water hit my palms, but it did nothing to clear the unease clinging to me like a second skin.I scrubbed a hand over my face and met my reflection in the mirror. My jaw was tight, brows drawn together, eyes shadowed from a night of barely sleeping. I looked like someone barely holding it together.Damn it, Riley.I turned away, showered quickly, and dressed in the first clothes I could find—a plain black tee and jeans. My
Last Updated : 2025-03-20Bouquet Of Deception 51
51 EthanMy stomach dropped the moment I saw him. Liam.He stood there, leaning against my car, arms crossed over his chest, his expression thunderous. The sight of him sent a jolt of unease through me. My first instinct? Turn the hell around. Pretend I hadn’t seen him.But before I could even pivot—“Ethan.”Damn it.I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stop. Slowly, I turned to face him, keeping my expression as neutral as possible. “Liam,” I greeted stiffly. “What are you doing here?”He let out a humorless chuckle. “That’s funny. I was about to ask you the same thing.”My brows furrowed. “What?”Liam pushed off my car, taking a step closer. His blue eyes—once warm, once something I could lose myself in—were now cold and burning with something unreadable. Anger? Resentment? I couldn’t tell. Maybe all of the above.“You know exactly what,” he said sharply. “Don’t play dumb with me, Ethan.”I exhaled slowly, already exhausted. “Look, I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I’v
Last Updated : 2025-03-21Bouquet Of Deception 52
52EthanI clenched my fists as Liam tightened his grip on my arm, his blue eyes flashing with fury. “Because of you,” he hissed, his voice low and dangerous, “Owen has trust issues now. You ruined everything.”I stared at him in disbelief before letting out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Are you serious? You tried to win me back at your own wedding, Liam. That was all you. And now you have the audacity to blame me for your mess?” I wrenched my arm free, rubbing the spot where his fingers had pressed into my skin. “That’s so fucking disgusting.”His nostrils flared, but I wasn’t done. “First, it was your messages. Now this? Stop harassing me, Liam. I mean it. If you don’t, I’ll file a complaint.”Instead of looking remotely apologetic, Liam laughed—a low, cruel sound that sent a chill down my spine. His expression twisted into something mocking, filled with venom. “A complaint?” He smirked. “You really are pathetic, Ethan. Always playing the victim. You know what? I was only ever with you
Last Updated : 2025-03-22Bouquet Of Deception 53
53RileyI should’ve known Ethan wouldn’t just let it go.The second I saw his message—You up?—I hesitated. I wanted to respond, tell him I was fine, make up some excuse about being busy. But my fingers hovered over the keyboard too long, my thoughts too tangled to form a lie that would hold up.Three dots. Then nothing.Damn it.I should’ve answered. Should’ve said something to keep him from worrying. Because knowing Ethan, this wasn’t over.I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly. My body was still on high alert, every muscle tense from last night. Zane had pushed me, tested me, made it clear that my time was up. He wanted me to come back.And if I didn’t—My gaze flicked toward the window, toward the faint claw mark on the frame. A reminder. A warning.Zane had never been patient. He wasn’t going to wait much longer.A knock at the door made me flinch.I went still, my pulse jumping.Too early for anyone else. Too deliberate to be a neighbor.Ethan.I closed my eyes, took a s
Last Updated : 2025-03-22Bouquet Of Deception 54
54EthanThe moment I stepped into my building, I kept my head down, moving quickly. I passed Riley’s apartment without so much as a glance at his door, even though I knew he was there—I had seen his car in the parking lot.I didn’t stop. Didn’t hesitate.I just unlocked my door, stepped inside, and slammed it shut behind me. The lock clicked into place, but it didn’t make me feel any safer.My chest was tight, my hands still trembling from the encounter with Liam. The words he had thrown at me kept looping in my head, taunting me, tearing into the wounds that hadn’t even fully healed yet.Lame in bed. Useless. Pathetic.I sucked in a shaky breath, willing myself to shake it off, but it wasn’t just Liam. It was Riley too.First, he had been acting like my mere presence annoyed him. And now, Liam pulling this bullshit?Fuck. All. Of. This.I threw my keys onto the counter and went straight to my room, kicking my shoes off before collapsing onto my bed. My face hit the pillow, and befor
Last Updated : 2025-03-22
Latest chapter
Bouquet Of Deception 117
Chapter 76 Riley Speedy had never been quiet before. My wolf had always been restless—always pushing, always growling, always demanding to be heard. But ever since Ethan’s accident, he’d been worse. A constant storm in my chest, pacing, snarling, berating me for what I’d done. You hurt him, Speedy spat, every second of every day. You pushed him away. You let him get hurt. This is your fault. It was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to bury myself in work, no matter how hard I trained or how many distractions I shoved in my face, he was always there. Pounding against my skull. Reminding me. And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong. Ethan was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I hadn’t even gone to see him. Because I was a coward. Because I couldn’t face the reality of what I’d done. Because I knew the second I saw him lying there—pale, motionless, barely breathing—I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. But ignoring it didn’t change the truth. It on
Bouquet Of Deception 116
Chapter 76 Riley Speedy had never been quiet before. My wolf had always been restless—always pushing, always growling, always demanding to be heard. But ever since Ethan’s accident, he’d been worse. A constant storm in my chest, pacing, snarling, berating me for what I’d done. You hurt him, Speedy spat, every second of every day. You pushed him away. You let him get hurt. This is your fault. It was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to bury myself in work, no matter how hard I trained or how many distractions I shoved in my face, he was always there. Pounding against my skull. Reminding me. And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong. Ethan was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I hadn’t even gone to see him. Because I was a coward. Because I couldn’t face the reality of what I’d done. Because I knew the second I saw him lying there—pale, motionless, barely breathing—I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. But ignoring it didn’t change the truth. It on
Bouquet Of Deception 115
Chapter 76 Riley Speedy had never been quiet before. My wolf had always been restless—always pushing, always growling, always demanding to be heard. But ever since Ethan’s accident, he’d been worse. A constant storm in my chest, pacing, snarling, berating me for what I’d done. You hurt him, Speedy spat, every second of every day. You pushed him away. You let him get hurt. This is your fault. It was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to bury myself in work, no matter how hard I trained or how many distractions I shoved in my face, he was always there. Pounding against my skull. Reminding me. And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong. Ethan was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I hadn’t even gone to see him. Because I was a coward. Because I couldn’t face the reality of what I’d done. Because I knew the second I saw him lying there—pale, motionless, barely breathing—I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. But ignoring it didn’t change the truth. It on
Bouquet Of Deception 114
Chapter 76 Riley Speedy had never been quiet before. My wolf had always been restless—always pushing, always growling, always demanding to be heard. But ever since Ethan’s accident, he’d been worse. A constant storm in my chest, pacing, snarling, berating me for what I’d done. You hurt him, Speedy spat, every second of every day. You pushed him away. You let him get hurt. This is your fault. It was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to bury myself in work, no matter how hard I trained or how many distractions I shoved in my face, he was always there. Pounding against my skull. Reminding me. And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong. Ethan was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I hadn’t even gone to see him. Because I was a coward. Because I couldn’t face the reality of what I’d done. Because I knew the second I saw him lying there—pale, motionless, barely breathing—I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. But ignoring it didn’t change the truth. It on
Bouquet Of Deception 113
Chapter 76 Riley Speedy had never been quiet before. My wolf had always been restless—always pushing, always growling, always demanding to be heard. But ever since Ethan’s accident, he’d been worse. A constant storm in my chest, pacing, snarling, berating me for what I’d done. You hurt him, Speedy spat, every second of every day. You pushed him away. You let him get hurt. This is your fault. It was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to bury myself in work, no matter how hard I trained or how many distractions I shoved in my face, he was always there. Pounding against my skull. Reminding me. And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong. Ethan was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I hadn’t even gone to see him. Because I was a coward. Because I couldn’t face the reality of what I’d done. Because I knew the second I saw him lying there—pale, motionless, barely breathing—I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. But ignoring it didn’t change the truth. It on
Bouquet Of Deception 112
Chapter 76 Riley Speedy had never been quiet before. My wolf had always been restless—always pushing, always growling, always demanding to be heard. But ever since Ethan’s accident, he’d been worse. A constant storm in my chest, pacing, snarling, berating me for what I’d done. You hurt him, Speedy spat, every second of every day. You pushed him away. You let him get hurt. This is your fault. It was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to bury myself in work, no matter how hard I trained or how many distractions I shoved in my face, he was always there. Pounding against my skull. Reminding me. And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong. Ethan was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I hadn’t even gone to see him. Because I was a coward. Because I couldn’t face the reality of what I’d done. Because I knew the second I saw him lying there—pale, motionless, barely breathing—I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. But ignoring it didn’t change the truth. It on
Bouquet Of Deception 111
Chapter 76 Riley Speedy had never been quiet before. My wolf had always been restless—always pushing, always growling, always demanding to be heard. But ever since Ethan’s accident, he’d been worse. A constant storm in my chest, pacing, snarling, berating me for what I’d done. You hurt him, Speedy spat, every second of every day. You pushed him away. You let him get hurt. This is your fault. It was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to bury myself in work, no matter how hard I trained or how many distractions I shoved in my face, he was always there. Pounding against my skull. Reminding me. And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong. Ethan was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I hadn’t even gone to see him. Because I was a coward. Because I couldn’t face the reality of what I’d done. Because I knew the second I saw him lying there—pale, motionless, barely breathing—I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. But ignoring it didn’t change the truth. It on
Bouquet Of Deception 110
Chapter 76 Riley Speedy had never been quiet before. My wolf had always been restless—always pushing, always growling, always demanding to be heard. But ever since Ethan’s accident, he’d been worse. A constant storm in my chest, pacing, snarling, berating me for what I’d done. You hurt him, Speedy spat, every second of every day. You pushed him away. You let him get hurt. This is your fault. It was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to bury myself in work, no matter how hard I trained or how many distractions I shoved in my face, he was always there. Pounding against my skull. Reminding me. And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong. Ethan was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I hadn’t even gone to see him. Because I was a coward. Because I couldn’t face the reality of what I’d done. Because I knew the second I saw him lying there—pale, motionless, barely breathing—I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. But ignoring it didn’t change the truth. It on
Bouquet Of Deception 109
Chapter 76 Riley Speedy had never been quiet before. My wolf had always been restless—always pushing, always growling, always demanding to be heard. But ever since Ethan’s accident, he’d been worse. A constant storm in my chest, pacing, snarling, berating me for what I’d done. You hurt him, Speedy spat, every second of every day. You pushed him away. You let him get hurt. This is your fault. It was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to bury myself in work, no matter how hard I trained or how many distractions I shoved in my face, he was always there. Pounding against my skull. Reminding me. And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong. Ethan was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I hadn’t even gone to see him. Because I was a coward. Because I couldn’t face the reality of what I’d done. Because I knew the second I saw him lying there—pale, motionless, barely breathing—I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. But ignoring it didn’t change the truth. It on
