All Chapters of The unfaithful encounter : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Emma’s POVThe cabin was eerily silent when I woke up, the morning light filtering through the curtains. I stretched and glanced at the empty side of the bed where Ethan had slept. He had been distant and cold since the confrontation with Damian last night, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was brewing—something bigger than both of us.I pulled on a warm sweater and padded to the kitchen. The smell of coffee hit me, but Ethan was nowhere to be found. On the counter was a note in his sharp handwriting: *“Gone to handle something. Stay in the cabin.”*I crumpled the note in my fist. Who did he think he was, giving me orders like I was some wayward child? I wasn’t a prisoner, and I certainly wasn’t going to sit around waiting for him to decide what I needed to know.I poured myself a cup of coffee, the bitter liquid doing little to ease my irritation. My thoughts spiraled back to the events of last night. Damian’s sudden appearance, Ethan’s cryptic behavior, and the growing

Emma’s POVThe man’s calm demeanor unsettled me more than his words. His warning echoed in my mind: *“Ethan isn’t who you think he is.”* “What are you talking about?” I demanded, keeping the flashlight pointed at him. The faint beam flickered across his face, highlighting sharp features and calculating eyes. He didn’t flinch. “You think Ethan is your protector, but he’s only protecting his own interests.” I tightened my grip on the flashlight, my unease growing. “Who sent you?” “Does it matter?” he countered, his tone even. “I’m here because you need to know the truth.” “And what truth is that?” I pressed. The man hesitated, glancing over his shoulder as if to ensure we were alone. Then he turned back to me, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. “Ethan has been lying to you about Damian. This isn’t just about business or revenge. There’s something else at play—something much darker.” Before I could respond, the crunch of snow behind me made me spin around. Ethan stood th

**Emma’s POV**The room felt heavy with silence. I stood near the window, staring out at the dark trees. The cold wind blew outside, but I barely noticed. My thoughts were racing. Serene had shown up today, and I still couldn’t make sense of everything. There were so many questions. Why had she come? What did she want from Ethan? What was really going on?Ethan had gone out to deal with something. He’d left in a hurry, but his words stayed in my mind. *Let me protect you.* I didn’t know if I wanted his protection anymore. I didn’t even know if I could trust him fully. He had so many secrets. And those secrets were getting harder to ignore.I turned away from the window and walked to the fireplace. The logs crackled, giving off a soft glow that lit up the room. I thought back to the things Ethan had said about Damian, the man who seemed to be behind everything. Damian wasn’t just a threat; he was someone who had power, someone who could destroy everything I cared about.And then there

Emma's POV My breath formed small clouds in the chilly air, but I barely noticed. My thoughts were tangled, racing between Damian’s threats and Ethan’s secrets. Everything felt like it was slipping out of control, and I didn’t know how to hold on. I hugged myself tightly, not sure if I was trying to warm my body or calm my nerves. The woods were silent, with only the soft rustling of leaves breaking the stillness. I took a shaky breath and turned toward the cabin door. Inside, Ethan was pacing near the fireplace. The light from the flames flickered across his tense face. He hadn’t spoken much since we got back, but I could feel the weight of everything unspoken hanging between us. "Ethan," I said quietly, breaking the heavy silence, "we need to talk." He stopped pacing and looked at me, his eyes sharp. "You're right." I walked toward the fire, letting its warmth chase away some of the cold. "Why didn’t you tell me everything from the beginning?" Ethan ran a hand through

Emma’s POVThe crisp morning air stung my cheeks as I stood at the cabin’s doorstep, my thoughts drifting between Ethan’s warmth and the danger lurking beyond the trees. The snow was fresh, untouched, save for our own footprints from the night before. I couldn’t help but feel a shiver crawl down my spine despite the sunlight cutting through the forest canopy.Ethan stepped up behind me, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder. “We’ll have to move soon,” he said, his voice steady.I nodded, forcing myself to focus. After everything Chloe revealed, it felt like the entire world was shifting under my feet. A powerful member of the council was helping Damian. The implications were terrifying. If the council itself was compromised, then nowhere was safe.Ethan pulled me close, his lips brushing against my temple. “We’ll figure it out.”Chloe joined us on the porch, her expression as tense as mine. “I’ve been thinking,” she began, crossing her arms. “We need more than just a plan to confron