His Rule

Ethan's Pov 

Her back touched the wall softly when I pinned her there.

Ava froze.

Her eyes were wide, almost shocked, and her breathing became uneven. 

The distance between us was so small that I could feel the warmth of her breath brushing against my face.

For a brief moment, neither of us moved.

Her lips parted slightly.

Then a soft sound escaped her throat.

A quiet moan.

The sound made my jaw tighten.

I leaned closer, lowering my head until my lips were near her ear. I could feel her body stiffen instantly.

Her fingers curled slightly at her sides as if she didn’t know what to do with them.

For a second, I simply stayed there, letting the silence stretch.

Then I spoke calmly.

“Rule number one.”

My voice was low.

“Don’t ever think about coming close to me.”

The words left my mouth without emotion.

I stepped away from her immediately, as if the moment we had just shared meant absolutely nothing.

Ava remained standing against the wall.

She looked confused.

But I didn’t care.

At least that’s what I told myself.

I walked to the bed, pulled the blanket over myself, and lay down on one side.

The room became quiet again.

After a moment, I closed my eyes.

Ava's Pov 

I stood there staring at him.

What just happened?

My heart was still beating too fast.

Just a moment ago he had been so close to me that I could feel the warmth of his skin. The way he leaned near my ear had made my entire body react before I could stop it.

And then he said that.

Don’t ever think of getting close to me.

I let out a slow breath.

Carefully, I walked toward the bed.

Ethan already looked like he was asleep.

His face was calm now, almost unreadable. His wet hair from the shower had dried slightly, falling naturally across his forehead.

For a moment I simply looked at him.

Then I shook my head at myself.

Stop it, Ava.

I climbed onto the other side of the large bed, keeping as much distance between us as possible.

The bed felt enormous.

It was strange sharing the same room with him. Even stranger sharing the same bed.

I turned my back to him and stared at the wall.

So much had happened in just a few days.

My thoughts slowly became heavier.

Eventually, sleep took over.

When I woke up the next morning, sunlight was already filling the room.

For a moment I lay still, trying to gather my thoughts.

Then I remembered where I was.

I quickly turned my head.

The other side of the bed was empty.

Ethan was gone.

I sat up slowly.

Maybe he left early for work.

Or maybe he simply didn’t want to stay in the same room with me longer than necessary.

I sighed quietly and got out of bed.

After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I went downstairs.

The house was already lively.

I could hear the sound of dishes from the kitchen.

When I entered the dining area, I saw Ethan’s mother standing near the table.

She looked up the moment she noticed me.

Her face immediately brightened.

“Oh Ava, good morning dear.”

“Good morning, Mom,” I greeted politely.

She walked closer and held my hand warmly.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, Mom,” I replied with a small smile.

My eyes moved around the room.

“Where are Ethan’s friends?”

“They left early this morning,” she said. “Those boys never stay long in one place.”

I nodded.

Then I remembered something else.

“And Sandra?”

Before she could answer, a familiar voice came from the living room.

“I’m here, bestie.”

I turned and saw Sandra walking in with a playful smile.

Relief washed over me.

“At least someone is still here,” I said.

Sandra laughed and came closer.

“Of course I’m here. I wouldn’t disappear on your first day as a married woman.”

Ethan’s mother smiled at the both of us.

“Come sit. You should eat something.”

We sat down for breakfast together.

The atmosphere felt warm and comfortable, mostly because Ethan’s mother kept talking and asking me if I needed anything.

After breakfast, I turned to her.

“Mom, I was thinking of going to my parents’ house today to get some of my things.”

“That’s a good idea,” she said immediately. “You’ll need your belongings here.”

Then she added firmly,

“Take the driver with you.”

“Thank you, Mom,” I replied.

The Sterling House

The moment I stepped into my parents’ house, memories rushed over me.

This place had always been home.

Before everything changed.

“Ava!”

My mother’s voice filled the hallway as she hurried toward me.

She wrapped her arms around me tightly.

“Oh my dear, I missed you already.”

I hugged her back.

“I missed you too, Mom.

When she finally pulled away, she looked at my face carefully as if checking if I was alright.

“You look tired.”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly.

Then I asked the question that had been on my mind since I arrived.

“Where’s Clara?”

My mother answered casually.

“She’s upstairs with her friend Vicky.”

My chest tightened slightly.

Clara.

I still hadn’t spoken to her since the wedding.

Guilt crept into my mind again.

No matter how everything happened, Ethan had originally been her fiancé.

Maybe I should apologize.

Maybe things could still be fixed between us.

“I’m going to see her,” I told my mother.

“Alright,” she replied.

Sandra greeted my mom politely from the living room.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Sterling.”

My mom smiled at her warmly.

“How are you, Sandra?”

“I’m good, ma.”

Leaving them downstairs, I walked toward the stairs.

Each step felt heavier than the last.

My mind was filled with thoughts of what I would say to Clara.

Maybe she hated me now.

Maybe she would never forgive me.

But I had to try.

When I reached the hallway upstairs, the house felt quiet.

Clara’s room was at the end of the corridor.

As I approached the door, I lifted my hand to knock.

But then I heard voices.

I stopped.

Clara was talking.

And Vicky was laughing.

Something about their tone made me hesitate.

I moved a little closer.

The door wasn’t fully closed.

Their voices became clearer.

“Honestly,” Vicky said between laughs, “that night was perfect.”

Clara chuckled softly.

“I know. I still can’t believe how easily everything worked out.”

My hand slowly lowered.

A strange feeling crept into my chest.

Then Clara spoke again.

“You really helped me a lot that night.”

Vicky laughed proudly.

“Oh please. Getting Ava drunk wasn’t even difficult.”

My breath caught.

I froze.

My body refused to move.

Inside the room, Clara continued talking casually.

“And the poor girl still believes her one night stand with Ethan was a mistake.”

Her voice carried amusement.

“She has no

idea I planned everything.”

My heart slammed violently against my chest.

Clara laughed softly again.

“And the best part?”

She paused before adding,

“She still thinks it was an accident.”