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."

a familiar voice behind me and turned around fast. Ethan had somehow snuck up behind me, wearing a faint

eyebrow, playing it cool as I teased, "Mr. Grayson, are you actually concerned about

the streetlight. "You've been working hard on your career by yourself

surprised he'd even mention

should thank you, though, for offering your help back then without holding the past against me. It helped

heart skipped

topic.

wondering if it

with Ethan alone. But then again, we were partners at work, so it seemed fine. Plus, work had been suffocating me. I could use a chance to

I left it at that, offering a smile and a nod before following Ethan to the parking

sleek sports car caught

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