Rewriting My Heart's Fate

I quickly looked away, my heart pounding. It all happened so fast, and I wasn't ready for any of it.

Ethan was a lot different than I remembered. He'd outgrown his youthful recklessness and settled into a more mature presence.

But was I ready to let someone in again?

The bad memories from my past life-full of hurt, injustice, and despair-still haunted me. Those scenes kept looping in my mind, and I couldn't stop feeling uneasy. "Evelyn, are you alright?" Kevin's voice, full of concern, broke through my thoughts.

I shook myself out of it and forced a small smile. "I'm fine, just need a quick break. Don't mind me. I'm going to take a breather outside."

I hurried out of the venue. The quiet of the night only made my anxiety worse. I wandered down the street, lost in my thoughts.

I spent the last few years pouring everything into my career just to prove myself. Love was the last thing on my mind, but Ethan's return stirred up a whirlwind of emotions. Everything about him-the way he looked at me and smiled-tugged at my heart.

"You seem kind of low today, Ms. Wiley."

fast. Ethan had

it cool as I teased, "Mr. Grayson, are

shadow stretching out beneath the streetlight. "You've been working hard on your career by yourself for years. It must've

paused, surprised he'd even mention

shrugged it off. "It's been fine. Luckily, I've finally made it. I should thank you, though, for offering your help back then without holding the past against me. It helped me

skipped

Lendora is stunning." Ethan changed the topic. "I just got a

wondering if it was a

late-night drive with Ethan alone. But then again, we were partners at work, so it seemed fine.

at that, offering a smile and a

car caught my attention from

you think of my new ride?