48| Apologies

As they finally got home, Ethan and Sophie settled in the living room. After everything that had happened today, all Sophie wanted was to rest.

Her leg still hurt, and honestly, she was visibly shaken.

They sat close together on the couch, wrapped in a silence that wasn't uncomfortable, but heavy. Ethan looked like he was overthinking, guilt weighing on him, and Sophie wanted to ease that burden just a little.

It wasn't exactly his fault that Claire was unhinged. But maybe she could have told him sooner just how cruel Claire had been.

Ethan was the first to break the silence. He turned to Sophie, his expression filled with remorse. "Sophie, I'm so sorry."

She could hear the emotion in his voice before he even continued. "I don't know what I thought, but I never expected her to act the way she did. A stupid part of me thought you'd get along. I didn't realize how cruel she could be. I should have seen it sooner. I should have—"

"Ethan," she whispered, cutting him off gently. "I know you didn't know what she was really like. And I... I didn't know how to tell you. So maybe it's partly my fault too."

"No, it's not," he said firmly, dragging a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his features. "I never asked. I don't know why I just assumed. But I promise you, Sophie—I'll do better. I'll always put you first."

Sophie sighed.

Watching Claire and Ethan today had made her realize something—whatever they had, it wasn't what Claire had painted it to be. They weren't some fated, perfect pair. No, if anything, they seemed trauma bonded more than anything else.

She wondered about the kind of mother Claire must have had... but more than that, she wondered about Ethan's childhood.

"It's okay," she murmured. "I'll take some of the blame too. I wanted to tell you, but I felt insecure about Claire. I know you've known each other for a long time."

Ethan's gaze met hers, and for a moment, she felt like she was seeing another side of him. A side of him she wanted to keep, to memorize.

"We have," he admitted. "But she only knows the part of me I hate."

His voice was so soft it nearly broke her.

"I only want you to know the good parts of me," he continued. "I'm trying, Sophie. To be a better person."

Sophie cupped his face, stroking his cheek gently.

Sophie's heart ached at his words.

She reached out, cupping his face in her hands, her thumb stroking his cheek.

"Ethan," she whispered.

He leaned into her touch, his eyes searching hers for something—anything.

"Every side of you is beautiful," she murmured.

Even the side he deemed ugly.

She knew it was beautiful too.

Ethan exhaled sharply, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Please, never feel like you can't tell me these things."

His voice was soft, yet pleading.

"When you don't, it kills me knowing that I didn't make you feel heard and safe."

They were so close now, their faces just inches apart.

Sophie nodded, her arms moving around his back, pulling him closer. "I promise I'll talk to you if I have a problem. It's not that I don't trust you... I just find it hard to talk about my feelings sometimes."

Ethan's eyes softened further.

He reached out, cupping her face in his hands, his thumb grazing over her skin.

"Me too, Sophie," he admitted. "But knowing what we've both been through... can we at least try? To talk about what upsets us?"

She nodded again.

He was talking about them. About their relationship.

God, she loved him.Sophie nodded immediately.

Because for the first time, they weren't just talking about Claire.

They were talking about them.

Their relationship.

Their future.

And God, she loved him.

The thought hit her with such force it almost made her dizzy.

"You know, at one point, I thought you and Claire made sense as the perfect couple," she confessed, feeling vulnerable.

She didn't know why she admitted it—

Maybe because she wanted to hear the truth from him.

Ethan made a face. "That's crazy." He shook his head before looking at her, sincerity shining in his eyes. "I'm glad it was you I married, Sophie. Anyone else... and I don't think I'd ever be as happy as I am with you."

Her heart pounded.

God, she really, really loved him.

It was in the way he looked at her. The way his voice was so genuine, so full of quiet certainty. The way he was the only person who had ever made her feel this way.

Sophie didn't wait any longer.

She leaned in, closing the small gap between them.

Their lips met, the kiss slow, deep—intentional.

She took her time, pouring everything into it.

Because how else could she tell him she loved him without saying it?

Ethan responded immediately, his arms wrapping around her, pulling her flush against him as he deepened the kiss.

Sophie felt the warmth of his embrace, the way his lips moved against hers with a desperate longing that mirrored her own.

Was he trying to apologize? At this point, she didn't even care. She was slowly losing sense of everything except him.

Her fingers threaded through his hair, pulling him closer, and she could feel the rapid beat of his heart against her chest.

The kiss grew more fervent, more consuming, until they were both breathless. Sophie's senses were overwhelmed—his scent, his taste, the strength of his arms holding her as if he would never let go.

Ethan broke the kiss just enough to whisper against her lips, "I'm so sorry, Sophie. I promise to always put you first from now on."

Sophie's eyes met his.

How could she ever convince herself he didn't feel the same way? Not when he was looking at her like this.

"I know you will," she murmured, her voice shaking with emotion. "I trust you, Ethan."

Something changed in his expression. Her saying that—that she trusted him—broke something in him.

His hands tightened on her waist, and then he was kissing her again, searing, deep, and completely unrestrained. Sophie clung to him as if he were her lifeline, her hands running over the strong muscles of his shoulders, pressing herself closer, needing more.

She could feel the intensity of his desire, matching her own. His hands roamed her back, pulling her so close that there was no space left between them.

A shiver ran down her spine as Ethan's lips trailed from her mouth to her jawline, then down to her neck.

She tilted her head back, giving him better access, her breath coming in shallow gasps. The way he held her, the way he kissed her—it was as if he was trying to tell her everything he couldn't say with words.

His grip shifted to her waist, and suddenly, he lifted her slightly, setting her on the edge of the table.

The unexpected movement made her gasp, and Ethan took full advantage, his tongue slipping into her mouth in a kiss that left her dizzy.

Sophie's legs wrapped around his waist instinctively, drawing him closer, needing to feel every inch of him.

"Ethan," she breathed against his lips, her voice barely a whisper. "I need you."

Even as she said it, the words surprised her. Was she really ready to take this next step? A step she had never taken before?

Ethan's reaction was instant and intense. His eyes darkened with a mix of desire and urgency.

"Sophie," he groaned, his voice thick with passion.

His grip on her hips tightened, his control slipping. His kisses became more fervent, more desperate, as if he couldn't get enough of her.

He pressed his body against hers, the heat between them almost unbearable. "You have no idea what you do to me," he murmured against her skin, his breath hot and ragged.

His hands roamed over her body, caressing her with a hunger that matched the way he kissed her—deep, consuming, devouring.

Just then, the doorbell rang, shattering the spell.

They froze, their breathing heavy, their bodies still pressed against each other.

Their eyes locked, the air between them thick, charged, electrified.

Sophie reluctantly pulled away, her cheeks flushed, lips still tingling from his kisses.

"I'll get it," she murmured, her voice still breathless.

"Wait."

Ethan's voice was husky, deep, still thick with the desire that hadn't faded.

Before she could step away, he pulled her into one last kiss—short but deep, as if he wasn't quite ready to let her go. When he finally released her, his gaze lingered, filled with longing and regret for the interruption.

Sophie smiled at him, biting her lip slightly, giving him one last lingering look before finally turning toward the door.

But her pulse was still erratic.

Her mind still full of him.

But as she reached the door, something inside her twisted—a strange sense of unease.

She opened it to find Lily, standing there with tear-streaked cheeks and distress written all over her face.

A cold wave of dread rushed through Sophie. "Lily, what's wrong?" she asked urgently, ushering her sister inside.

Lily's hands were trembling, her breath uneven. "Sophie, I called you," she stammered, her voice unsteady.

Sophie blinked, her mind racing.

"I'm sorry, I don't know where I kept my phone," she admitted, suddenly realizing in the chaos with Claire, she had no idea where it even was.

Ethan had joined them by the doorway, his expression shifting instantly to concern. "Lily? What's wrong?" he asked gently.

Lily opened her mouth, but the words caught in her throat. Tears welled in her eyes before spilling over. "I was just at the—when—" she choked, unable to finish her sentence.

Sophie's heart pounded.

She grabbed her sister's arms, her grip tight.

"Lily, you're scaring me. What's wrong?"

Her voice came out louder than she intended, panic creeping into every word.

Lily sucked in a shaky breath, forcing the words out.

"It's Mom," she finally said, her voice breaking. "Our neighbor just called—she collapsed. They had to call an ambulance."

-------

Don't forget to vote and leave a comment

🩷🩷