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."

around fast. Ethan

eyebrow, playing it cool as I teased,

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

he'd

offering your help back then without holding the past against me. It helped me grow." "It's nothing." Ethan grinned. "Your achievements are all on

heart skipped

of Lendora is stunning." Ethan changed the topic. "I

hesitated, wondering if

we were partners at work, so it seemed fine. Plus, work had been suffocating me.

it at that, offering a smile and a nod

sports car caught my

of my new ride? Not bad, huh?" Ethan asked, looking