جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 137

KnoxI pull her close, wrapping my arms around her and feeling the tension in her body as she lets out a sharp, terrified scream. Without thinking, I cover her mouth, spinning her around so she’s facing me. The water splashes around us, and her eyes widen when she sees it’s me.She smacks my shoulder a few times, and I let go of her mouth, laughing from deep in my chest. The sound bounces off the still water, filling the space between us.“You scared me!” she says, her face scrunched up in a frown that only makes her look even more adorable under the dim outdoor lights.I stop laughing as I swim closer to her, feeling the cool water move around us, calming my body and mind.“How long have you been in here?” she asks, catching her breath, her hand pressing against her chest like she’s trying to steady her heartbeat.I wipe the water from my face and grin at her, teasing. “Long enough to scare you properly.”She crosses her arms over her chest, pouting in mock annoyance. “You almost ga

KnoxMy hands are shaking as I hold my phone, my eyes glued to the screen, dread creeping in with each passing second. The photos are right there in front of me, clear and undeniable. They capture the exact moment I led Emma into the hotel room at the product launch. Another message flashes through my mind, the one I received earlier, right after leaving the party to head home. That one had a different photo, Emma and I standing close together on the balcony. The thought of it hits me like a punch in the gut. Could the same person be behind both? The idea settles in my stomach like a block of ice.“Knox, is something wrong?” Emma’s voice is soft, cautious.I glance over at her. She’s sitting up in bed now, pulling the sheet up to her chest, covering herself. It’s a small gesture, but it feels protective, like she’s trying to shield herself from whatever’s coming next. The dim light makes her look almost fragile.I let out a long breath, heavier than I mean it to be, then walk back

KnoxThe door opens just as Ethan’s lips brush Emma’s cheek, and the sight hits me like a sudden drop in temperature. I don’t explode with rage, though it simmers low and controlled inside me, building with every second. My face stays blank, but my eyes narrow, sharply, taking in every detail of the moment. Ethan’s usual grin disappears instantly. His gaze flicks between me and Emma, his confidence crumbling in front of us.“I’m sorry,” he stammers quickly, his voice higher than usual, thinner. “I didn’t mean anything by it. Just… saying hello. I’ll go now.”He doesn’t wait for me to respond. He grabs his jacket off the empty chair and rushes out, his footsteps echoing down the hallway before fading around the corner. He doesn’t look back. Part of me respects the speed of his retreat, if he’d lingered for even a second longer, I might’ve lost the tight control I keep on myself.I turn to Emma. She stands frozen, her cheeks flushed red and her eyes wide with panic. She opens her mout

EmmaLightning flashes across the dark sky.A strong breeze rushes through the empty driveway, rattling the leaves on the nearby trees. My heart sinks, weighed down by a knot of dread. The car engine refuses to turn over, no matter how many times I twist the key. The dashboard lights flicker weakly before dying completely.How am I supposed to get home now? The thought of walking miles in the rain makes my stomach churn with unease.And then I hear it, a gentle tap on the car window right beside my head. I gasp sharply and look up, startled. Ethan stands there in the dim light of the streetlamp, his forehead creased in a frown.“Ethan… Damn, what is he doing here?” I mutter under my breath, my pulse racing at the sight of him.I roll down the window just a crack.“Hi, Emy,” he says, his voice smooth and casual, the same way he always talks to me. I sigh deeply, letting my shoulders drop. “Stop calling me that.”“Why? You’re scared of him?”“Who?”“Your stepdad.”I glare at him throug