The Montemayor estate loomed before me like a gilded cage. Its massive gates reflected the golden glow of the sunset, the manicured gardens stretching out like a warning: everything inside was controlled, polished, perfect. And yet, stepping past those gates, I felt my chest tighten in a way I hadn't expected.
Three years. Three long years since I last saw him. And now, here I was, back in the heart of the Montemayor family world—an elegant party in full swing, laughter and the clink of glasses spilling through the grand hall.
I had promised myself I'd handle this night with grace. No awkward glances. No old emotions. No mistakes.
But I hadn't promised myself that seeing Ethan Montemayor would be like a punch to the chest.
"Lia," he said, and my heart froze mid-beat.
There he was—exactly the same. Same warm smile, same easy confidence, same eyes that once made me feel safe. And for a moment, I wondered if time had been cruel or kind.
"Hi, Ethan," I managed, forcing a smile. My voice sounded steadier than I felt.
"Wow," he said, laughing softly. "It's… been a while."
"Yeah," I replied. "It has."
A silence followed. Heavy, awkward, filled with all the things we hadn't said—and maybe couldn't say.
And then I felt it. A presence behind me that made my blood run cold. Not Ethan's warmth, not the casual familiarity of the party… but Adrian Montemayor.
Ethan noticed him too, though he didn't know the tension under the surface.
"Uncle Adrian," he said, turning his attention past me. "Did you already meet Lia tonight?"
My breath caught in my throat. Slowly, I turned back, meeting the man who had haunted my dreams for years.
Adrian was calm, composed, untouchable. His presence had a weight that made the room shrink around him, and yet he didn't need to say a word. Just being there was enough.
"We've met before," he said smoothly.
"Right," Ethan replied, oblivious. "I forgot. That was… years ago."
Years ago. If he only knew.
"Well," Ethan continued, smiling at me. "This is unexpected, but I'm glad you're here. You should stay. Catch up with everyone."
"Yeah," I said softly. "Maybe."
Adrian's eyes met mine, and in that brief moment, everything felt like a lie. Every word I spoke, every smile I forced—it was false in comparison to what pulsed between us.
The night passed in a blur. I smiled, I laughed, I mingled. But every time I turned, Adrian was there. Not always close. Not always obvious. But always watching.
"Okay, that's it," a familiar voice said beside me. Carla, my best friend, smirked. "You two are doing that thing."
"What thing?" I asked, nearly choking on my drink.
"That intense eye contact from across the room," she said, leaning closer, "like you're in some kind of forbidden drama."
I flushed. "We are not."
"You are," she insisted. "And it's obvious."
"Lower your voice," I muttered.
"I'm just saying," Carla whispered. "If this is supposed to be a secret, you're doing a terrible job."
My stomach twisted. Was it really that obvious? No, it couldn't be… Ethan would have noticed, right?
"I need air," I muttered, setting my glass down.
Carla grabbed my arm. "Don't tell me you're running away."
"I'm not running," I said.
"You're absolutely running," she countered. "Fine, I'll let it slide this once. But if something dramatic happens, I want full details."
I let out a small laugh. "Of course you do."
The balcony was a welcome relief. Cool air, quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos inside. I gripped the railing, closing my eyes and breathing deep. Finally—space to think. Space to breathe. Space to forget…
"You always run when things get complicated."
My eyes shut briefly. Of course. I didn't even have to turn around.
"I'm not running," I said, though my chest betrayed me.
Footsteps echoed behind me—slow, measured, familiar. "Then what do you call this?" Adrian asked, voice low, teasing, and impossibly close.
I turned, exhaling sharply. "This?" I gestured at the night. "This is me trying not to make a mistake."
His gaze sharpened. "And being here is a mistake?"
"Yes," I said immediately. The honesty surprised even me.
He took a step closer. "And yet, you came anyway."
I held his gaze. "So did you."
"This is my house," he said.
"Exactly."
Silence fell, heavier than any conversation inside.
"You should leave," he said quietly.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"You heard me," he said. "This doesn't end well."
"For who?"
"Anyone," he said. Something in his tone made my chest ache.
"Then why are you here?" I whispered.
"Because walking away isn't as easy as you make it look."
"I didn't walk away easily."
"No?" he said. "You disappeared, Lia."
I flinched. "That's not the same thing."
"Then explain it to me."
I hesitated. How could I explain something I barely understood myself?
"That night…" My voice lowered. "…wasn't supposed to happen."
Adrian didn't interrupt. He didn't move. He just listened.
"I was confused," I continued. "I didn't know what I was doing."
"Is that what you've been telling yourself?" he asked.
"It's the truth."
"Is it?" His voice was calm, but it cut deeper than any shout.
"You kissed me back," he said. "You didn't stop me."
I swallowed hard.
"And the next morning…" He stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "…you looked at me like I was a mistake."
The memory hit me like a wave. Not because I regretted him, but because I didn't know what to do with what I felt.
"I was scared," I admitted. "Of me. Of everything."
His expression softened slightly. "But you didn't give it a chance."
"You think it would've worked? Me and you?" I laughed softly. "After everything?"
"We'll never know." His words hung between us, heavy, unfinished.
And then, the sharpest interruption.
"Lia?"
My heart dropped. Ethan. Again.
He stepped onto the balcony, glancing between us. "Am I interrupting something?"
"No," I said quickly.
"Just talking," Adrian added calmly.
Ethan smiled, clearly unconvinced—but not suspicious enough.
"Good," he said. "I was hoping to steal Lia for a bit."
My chest tightened at his words—steal. If only he knew.
I walked past Adrian, and his hand brushed mine, lightning-hot, sending a shock straight through me.
"Careful," he murmured under his breath.
"Why?" I whispered.
"Because next time… I might not stop."
And just like that, everything I thought I had control over… slipped right out of my hands.