EMILY’S POV
I arrived at Denise’s house a little before 9 a.m. Florida had dozed off in the cab, but the moment I tapped her gently, she stirred, yawned softly, and rubbed her eyes. She looked around and realized where we were, her expression lighting up immediately.
“Let me go and call my mom,” she said with a tiny smile, already walking toward the door with the energy only kids seem to have so early in the morning.
I nodded, watching her rush inside with ease like she belonged because she did. She was back in her space, her comfort zone. I stayed by the doorway, contemplating whether to sit down on the porch bench or remain standing.
I was about to take a seat when something caught my eye. My heart skipped a beat.
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EMILY’S POVMy eyes widened when our gazes collided.It was Denise.Standing just a few feet away.Her face was frozen in disbelief. Eyes wide. Lips slightly parted. Her body stiff like she was witnessing a crime.She had seen us.Kissing.God.My heart dropped to my stomach.Fuck.I took a shaky step backward, instinctively pushing Ethan far away from me like he was a disease I was trying to shake off. My hand rose to my lips, wiping them frantically like it would somehow erase what had jus
EMILY’S POV“Mr Barry, do you mind if we talk over there?” I asked, pointing toward a quiet corner where the music didn’t seem so loud and people weren’t loitering. I wanted space. Space to breathe and space to deal with whatever nonsense this man was about to throw my way.Barry gave a charming smile and nodded without hesitation.“Sure, Miss Emily,” he replied smoothly.I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes. I rose to my feet, smoothing down my dress with my hands. I walked ahead, and he followed behind. As we got farther from the noise and glitter of the party, I could feel my spine straightening and my focus sharpening. This was my comfort zone. I had control here.We finally stopped near a row o
EMILY’S POVThe weekend arrived much faster than I expected. I had made up my mind to stop drowning myself in thoughts about Ethan. It was hard, but I was determined to move on. I was going to accept, truly and finally, that Ethan and I were simply not meant for each other. That was the truth I had to swallow whether it was bitter or not.Daniel had planned a surprise party for Camille, and I had promised myself I would attend no matter how awkward it might feel. I wanted to show up, make an appearance, and then quietly leave. That was the plan.I wore a soft cream gown that hugged my body without revealing too much. I styled my hair into a loose updo, clipped on a pair of small but classy earrings, and carried my Hermes bag. I slipped my phone and car keys into the bag, took a final glance at myself in the mirro
EMILY’S POVI arrived at Denise’s house a little before 9 a.m. Florida had dozed off in the cab, but the moment I tapped her gently, she stirred, yawned softly, and rubbed her eyes. She looked around and realized where we were, her expression lighting up immediately.“Let me go and call my mom,” she said with a tiny smile, already walking toward the door with the energy only kids seem to have so early in the morning.I nodded, watching her rush inside with ease like she belonged because she did. She was back in her space, her comfort zone. I stayed by the doorway, contemplating whether to sit down on the porch bench or remain standing.I was about to take a seat when something caught my eye. My heart skipped a beat.
EMILY'S POVI rushed up the stairs without thinking twice, skipping two steps at a time. My heart was already thudding hard in my chest. That scream wasn’t something I could ignore. It hadn’t sounded like a playful squeal, it was sharp, sudden, and filled with fear.When I got to my room, I froze for half a second as I saw Florida on the floor, sitting there with her tiny hands planted beside her to support her upper body.She had fallen.My heart nearly dropped.“Geez, Florida, are you fine?” I asked quickly as I moved toward her and crouched to her level.She looked up at me, her big eyes slightly watery, and she shook her head slowly.
EMILY'S POV"Florida, what do you mean?" I asked with a furrowed brow, my voice trembling slightly as I tried to wrap my head around the words she had said earlier. The tone in her voice, the choice of her words, it had unsettled me more than I wanted to admit.She turned to look at me with an unreadable expression. Her face was calm and her eyes innocent, but something about her still felt... off."I was reciting a line from a movie. I wasn't discussing it with you," she replied casually, like it was no big deal.I gave her a small nod, but in my heart, I wasn’t convinced.Her words had pierced through me like a whisper I wasn’t meant to hear. There was something unsettling about what she had said. “