Lisa's POV
"What's wrong with him?" I muttered under my breath, storming into my room and slamming the door shut behind me. The lock clicked into place as I leaned back against it, heart still pounding—not from fear, but from him.
Ethen.
What the hell was his deal?
One second he's leaning in with that smug little smirk, saying things that make my stomach twist in ways I don't want to admit—and the next, he's gone like it never happened. Does he flirt with everyone like that? Or is he just trying to mess with me?
He probably thinks his charm is some kind of weapon. Tall, stupidly good-looking, and fully aware of it. I bet he gets away with everything using nothing but that stupid half-smile and his annoying little wink.
But it won't work on me. No way. I'm not like those girls who fall for the mysterious, broody type. I've been through too much to let someone like him crawl under my skin.
"Stupid Ethen," I muttered again, trying to shake the memory of his voice, his eyes, the way he—
Ugh. No.
I changed into my pajamas, trying to breathe the irritation out of my chest. Everything felt so unfamiliar—the room, the silence, the new chapter of life I didn't choose but had to face anyway. How am I supposed to adjust to all this?
I grabbed my phone and opened a browser. Military academies. Maybe a strict routine, early mornings, structure—maybe that's what I need. Something to hold onto. I bookmarked a few places that looked promising. I'd visit them tomorrow.
But right now? Hunger was winning.
I padded downstairs quietly. The air smelled like garlic and cheese—warm, welcoming, like someone had tried to make this place feel like home.
At the table, Meena and Ethen were already eating.
"Heyyy! I was just about to call you down," Meena said with a bright smile. "Come join us, I know you're starving."
She wasn't wrong. My stomach growled at the sight of food. Ethen sat across the table, scrolling through his phone with an unreadable look on his face—casual, focused, but definitely still aware of my presence.
I slid into a chair and tried to ignore the way he looked up briefly, his eyes catching mine for just a second too long before returning to his screen.
"Here, take some pasta," Meena said, placing a full bowl in front of me. "I made it on Ethen's request, but now he's too busy in his phone to care."
She looked at him with mock annoyance. I followed her gaze.
Ethen finally glanced up, first at Meena, then at me. There was something in his look—a spark, like he knew what he was doing, like he wanted to make me uncomfortable in the most subtle, annoying way.
"Relax," he said, voice smooth. "Just checking my emails." He pushed his chair back and stood. "Anyway, I've gotta leave. Got some work. Might be back late."
He was already moving, grabbing his keys with that same careless energy that made me wonder what kind of life he actually lived.
"At least finish your meal, Ethen!" Meena called after him.
But he was already out the door.
I blinked. "Does he always leave like that? Like it's some emergency?"
Meena gave a half-shrug. "He owns a software house. Sometimes he gets intense like that—locked into work mode. But don't worry about him."
She reached across the table, her voice softening. "Tell me about you. How's Jacob? And… I'm so sorry, I heard about your dad."
The mention of Jacob's name hit like a brick. I looked away, suddenly cold despite the warmth of the room.
"We broke up," I said quietly. "I had to make a choice for myself, for my future. He wasn't willing to support that… so it ended."
"Oh my God," Meena gasped. "Lisa, my baby, I had no idea you were going through all that alone."
She stood and hugged me tightly. I didn't even realize how much I needed that until her arms were around me. For a second, the weight of everything lifted—just enough to breathe.
"It's okay," I murmured. "It's life. People change."
She pulled back and smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Well, enough of that sad stuff. I've got big news too!"
"What news?"
"I'm getting married next month!" she squealed. "My fiancé lives in Florida—he's flying in two days from now. You'll love him."
"Oh my God! I'm so happy for you!" I grinned. "Time for me to go on a shopping spree for your wedding!"
We spent hours talking—about everything and nothing. Laughter filled the house, echoing down the halls like we were kids again. For a moment, it felt like healing.
Later that night, I curled into bed with my journal.
I miss you so much, Dad. You'd know what to say. You'd know how to guide me through this. If only you were here today... I'd give anything to hear your voice.
I wrote until sleep took me.
The pen slipped from my fingers, and the soft rustling of the pages was the last sound I heard before the quiet wrapped around me like a blanket. In that silence, I almost felt your presence, Dad. Like maybe you hadn't gone too far. Like maybe you were still watching, still proud.
---
Ethen's POV
"I told you not to mess this up!" I roared, my voice slicing through the dimly lit room like a blade.
It echoed off concrete walls, cold and unforgiving. A heavy silence followed—broken only by the buzzing of a flickering overhead light.
The body on the floor wasn't moving. Blood had soaked through the carpet, spreading like a shadow.
"This was not supposed to happen," I muttered, pacing with clenched fists. "How the hell am I supposed to clean up this mess now?"
No one answered. Two of my men—faces pale but trained—hurried forward at my nod and began dragging the body toward the back exit. They'd done this before. Too many times.
"Get rid of it. I don't want anything linking back to us. No drama. Not now."
As the body disappeared through the door, I turned to Ryan, who stood quietly by the wall, waiting for his cue.
"Ryan. Sit," I said, voice lower now but no less sharp.
He sat on the worn sofa, hands clasped, like he knew whatever I was about to say next mattered more than the blood still staining the floor.
"We've got a deal in Italy next week. Big one. Get the passports ready. Clean IDs. We fly out Wednesday."
He nodded.
"Also," I added, leaning forward, "while we're gone, I want two men on her. Discreet. No contact. Just eyes. 24/7."
Ryan raised a brow. "She your new girl or something?"
I looked up, cold steel in my voice. "Don't joke, Ryan. Not tonight."
He lifted his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. She's important. Got it."
I sat back, running a hand through my hair.
She didn't know anything—yet. But if the wrong people figured out who she was, what she was connected to... the cost would be too high.
Too close.
---
Lisa's POV
I woke with the soft chime of my alarm cutting through my dream.
6:00 AM. Sharp.
The sky outside was painted in pastels—soft orange fading into dusty blue. For a moment, the city felt calm, even kind. Like it was giving me a fresh start.
I changed into jeans and a simple shirt, tied my hair up, and slipped on my sneakers. Today I had a plan. I'd visit the military academies I bookmarked last night. I needed structure. I needed direction. I needed... something to hold onto.
As I stepped out of my room, a strange curiosity tugged at me. Something small. Quiet. But persistent.
I found myself standing outside Ethen's door.
It was slightly open.
I hesitated, then nudged it with my fingertips.
Empty. Neat. Everything in its place. The bed was made with sharp corners like he'd learned it from boot camp, not a tech startup. A faint trace of cologne lingered in the air—clean, masculine, sharp.
Books lined the shelves. Not fiction, not fantasy. Real, dense stuff—networking, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence. Thick ones. Covered in scribbled notes.
Didn't know he was a nerd, I whispered under my breath, a smile tugging at my lips despite myself.
Whatever Ethen was… it wasn't just what he let people see.
I stepped out of the room quickly, guilt heating my cheeks. I didn't want to get caught poking around like some nosey teenager.
Downstairs, I walked into the kitchen where a sticky note on the fridge caught my eye.
---
Lisa,
I had to go somewhere early today. There's breakfast in the fridge, but you can make anything you like if that doesn't work. Also, check the right drawer—there's some cash in case of emergencies. I know you're a "I can manage" girl, but just… please take it if you need it, okay?
xoxo,
–Meena
---
A real smile bloomed on my face for the first time in a while. Not the forced kind, but the kind that makes your chest feel lighter.
At least someone still cares.
I started making coffee, listening to the low hum of the machine as if it were a song.
Then I heard footsteps.
Heavy. Slower than usual.
I turned—and there he was.
Ethen.
He looked… exhausted. Not just tired, but drained, like he'd fought an entire war inside his own mind and barely survived. His eyes were red-rimmed, face pale, and his shirt hung off him like it hadn't been changed since yesterday.
"Where's Meena?" he asked, voice raspy.
"She's out," I said softly. "Left a note."
Before I could even finish the sentence, he cut me off.
"I'll be in my room. Don't bother me."
And just like that, he turned and vanished upstairs.
I stared at the stairwell for a long time, confused.
Something was off. He didn't just seem tired. He seemed... haunted.
What kind of work keeps someone out all night like that?
I shook my head, pushing the thought away, and turned back to my coffee as the microwave dinged behind me.
But I couldn't stop wondering...
Who was Ethen? Really?
And why did it feel like I was just starting to scratch the surface?