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49

Penulis: Quill Enchantress
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-20 05:42:10

49

Ethan

I 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
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  • Bouquet 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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-20

  • Bouquet 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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-21

  • Bouquet 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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-22

  • Bouquet 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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-22

  • Bouquet 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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-22

  • Bouquet Of Deception    55

    55Ethan Riley’s eyes locked onto mine, sharp and demanding. “Who was it?”I tightened my grip on my phone, shaking my head. “It’s nothing.”His jaw clenched. “Ethan, don’t start with that bullshit. Show me.”“No.”“Ethan—”“I said no,” I snapped, stepping back, but he followed. The tension in the air grew thick, suffocating.Then his expression shifted—his pupils dilated, his irises darkening into something unnatural, almost inhuman. The look in his eyes sent a chill down my spine.“I swear,” he muttered, his voice deepening into something almost unearthly, “I’m going to teach that bastard a lesson he’ll never forget.”My stomach twisted. This wasn’t just anger. It was something more. Something primal.“Riley…” My voice came out weak, uncertain. “What the hell—?”He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, his body radiating heat like a furnace. “Give me the phone, Ethan.”I shook my head again, heart hammering against my ribs. “No. I don’t want to drag you into my mess. I already

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-22

  • Bouquet Of Deception    56

    56 Ethan A cold chill ran down my spine at the thought, making my body tense involuntarily. Riley caught on immediately, his warm hand brushing against my arm as he studied me with concern. “Are you okay? We don’t have to do this if you’re not sure. Just tell me what you need, Ethan.” I met his gaze, my heart pounding from more than just nerves. The concern in his eyes made something deep inside me swell, drowning out the lingering fear. Riley wasn’t like Liam. He wasn’t forceful. He was patient, understanding… a good man. “I want this. I want you,” I said, my voice steadier than I expected. His lips curved into a small smile, his fingers tracing gentle patterns on my skin. “Then you can have me,” he murmured. His words sent a shiver through me—not from fear, but anticipation. His hands roamed over me, slow and reverent, mapping out every inch like he was committing me to memory. Heat pooled under my skin, and I sucked in a breath as his touch ignited something raw and

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-23

  • Bouquet Of Deception    57

    57RileyI should leave.That thought pounded through my skull, loud and insistent, but my body refused to move. Instead, I stayed where I was, my arms wrapped around Ethan like I could shield him from everything—his past, his pain, his self-doubt. As if holding him tight enough could erase the way Liam had made him feel.But I wasn’t stupid. I knew it didn’t work like that.My fingers traced slow circles against his back, feeling the way his breathing evened out, the steady rise and fall of his chest as he drifted toward sleep. He was still clinging to me, his body relaxed but his grip firm, like he was afraid I’d disappear if he let go.That was what got me. That quiet desperation, buried under all his stubbornness and sharp words. He didn’t trust easily, but when he did, it was complete. He had given me that trust tonight, let me see him vulnerable, let me touch him in ways no one else had. And fuck—he’d said it out loud.“I trust you, Riley.”Those words had damn near undone me.A

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-23

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  • 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

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