– Fractu

x. Ethan's betrayal, Sophie's secret, her own lies to Liam-it all swirled in her mind like a storm s

t just ano

his charms, to get swept up in the fantasy of being with someone older, more experienced. Someo

n. She had agreed to meet Sophie today, but the thought of facing her friend ma

n who had always been there for her. But now, knowing that Sophie had slept with Ethan, Mia couldn't help but feel betrayed.

ooking back at her-tired, anxious, and more confused than ever. She had always prided herself on being in contro

small, cozy place with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of natural light

fidgeting with her coffee cup. When she saw Mia walk in, her face lit up

ed over to the table, sliding i

aid softly, her

was flat, her emo

n them. Sophie looked down at her hands,

er eyes filling with guilt. "I should have

he intended. "Sophie, we're supposed to be best friends. We tell ea

know. I messed up, okay? But it happened a long time ago, and I

inally bubbling to the surface. "I trusted you. And now I find out

h unshed tears. "I was scared, Mia. Scared that if I told

rt still lingered. "You should have trusted me. Yo

barely above a whisper. "And I'm

it go and move on, but it wasn't that simple. This wasn't just about Sophie-

oice trembling with the weight of the que

on't know. Maybe he didn't think it was importa

ed how much this hurt. How much

d finally, her voice strained. "I j

tanding. "Take all the time you need.

ow what she was going to do next, but she knew she couldn't stay he

undred different thoughts. She couldn't go home-not yet. She wa

he didn't know why she was going there. Maybe part of her wanted answers. Maybe part of her

nd hovering over the buzzer. Was this a mistake? Sh

g open, and Ethan stood there, his exp

voice low. "What a

chest. She didn't know what she wanted from him-an apo

ed finally, her voice

miliar scent of his cologne filled the air

for a moment, the tension be

k about?" Ethan asked, h

put it into words, how to explain the confusion and pain swirling

about Sophie?" she ask

ened, his eyes da

d to know why you kept this from me. Was it because it didn't matt

about you. What I had with Sophie was a mistake, something that happened before we

oice cracking. "And now I don't

rushing her arm. "Mia, I'm no

ith a mix of frustration and longing. "

e gentle. "You can. I swear to

lingered in her heart. And as she looked into his ey