Page 35 of Broken Rivalry

The grandeur of the room envelops me as I step inside, a breathtaking spectacle of luxury and elegance. Crystal chandeliers cascade from the ceiling, casting a golden glow across the room. Couples twirl gracefully across the dance floor, their laughter intertwining with the gentle melodies of the live orchestra. My breath catches in my throat, momentarily lost in the enchanting scene before me.

Ethan extends his hand, a silent invitation, and I place mine in his, allowing him to lead me onto the dance floor. His fingers are warm against mine, his touch steady and reassuring. We move together, our bodies swaying in harmony to the lilting melody, and if only for an instant, the world fades away, leaving just the two of us.

His eyes, deep and intense, lock onto mine, and I find myself drowning in their depths. Ethan’s fingers brush against my cheek, a gentle caress, as he tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear. Our eyes remain locked, a silent conversation passing between us, and I feel myself leaning in, drawn to him like a moth to a flame. A playful smile tugs at his lips, lightening the charged atmosphere between us. “You’re stepping on my foot, Poppy,” he whispers, his voice a gentle tease.

My cheeks flush with embarrassment, yet his smile only broadens, his thumb caressing the back of my hand in reassurance. “It’s okay,” he murmurs, “I’ve survived worse.”

As we continue to dance, my gaze drifts across the room, landing on Liam and Nessa. Liam leans down, whispering something into Nessa’s ear. Her eyes widen, and she pulls back sharply, her expression unreadable, before she vanishes into the crowd.

Ethan’s fingers encircle my waist, pulling me closer, and I can’t help but be acutely aware of every point of contact between us. His hand is warm against the small of my back, his fingers exerting the slightest pressure, guiding our movements. The other hand entwines with mine, lifting it delicately in the air. His eyes, a deep, mesmerizing gaze, never leave mine, and it feels as though we are the only two people in the room.

The music, a slow, sultry melody, wraps around us, and our bodies move in sync, a gentle ebb and flow that mirrors the rhythm of our breaths. His proximity is intoxicating, the faint scent of his cologne mingling with the warmth of his skin. My heart flutters wildly, a delicate bird caged by ribs that feel as though they may shatter under the weight of my longing.

Ethan pulls me close, his breath a whisper against my ear that sends shivers down my spine. “Poppy,” he murmurs, “you’re enchanting tonight.”

My breath catches, and I tilt my head up to meet his gaze, finding a depth of emotion that leaves me breathless. His eyes flicker to my lips, and for a heartbeat, time stands still.

He leans in, his lips hovering mere inches from mine, and I can feel the warmth of his breath, the almost kiss lingering in the charged space between us. “I’ve been wanting to do this all night,” he confesses, his voice a barely audible whisper amid the gentle sway of the music.

My heart hammers as he leans in, our lips almost meeting, and I pull back a fraction, torn between the mistake and the desire.

We continue to move together, the world around us fading into insignificance, and for those few stolen moments, nothing else matters but the two of us, lost in the music and the unspoken words that linger in the air.

Ethan’s voice, gentle and earnest, pulls me back. “Tell me a truth, Poppy.”

I blink, taken aback. “A truth?”

He nods. “Something raw and real. And in return, I’ll do the same.”

I hesitate, then exhale, my gaze dropping to our joined hands. “Sometimes, I think I’ve made peace with what my life has become. But other times, the weight of injustice is so heavy on my chest that I want to scream until my throat hurts and my voice is gone.”

His fingers tighten around mine, yet when I look up, I see the light has dimmed in his eyes. I step back, a pang of regret piercing through me. Perhaps I’ve said too much, or maybe not enough.

Suddenly, the music halts, and an administrator takes the stage, his voice echoing through the now-silent room. My eyes scan the crowd, but Nessa is nowhere to be found, and Liam, off to the side, wears a sour expression.

“I have to go look for my friend,” I murmur, pulling away.

Ethan’s grip on my wrist stops me. “Wait. I didn’t tell you my truth. I… I can’t only be your friend, Poppy. I want to be more, so much more.”

His words hang heavily between us, a silent plea in his eyes. My heart races, conflicting emotions warring within me. I open my mouth, but words fail me, my thoughts a chaotic whirlwind.

His name echoes from the stage. His grip falters, and I withdraw my hand, my heart pounding a rapid beat against my ribs. Without a second thought, I make my exit. Just before leaving the ballroom, I risk a glance back. Ethan’s eyes are scanning the crowd, missing my retreat.

Outside, the city’s hum is a stark contrast to the ballroom’s intensity. I quickly hail a taxi, and as it winds through the streets, Ethan’s words and the look in his eyes play on repeat in my mind. I hug my arms around myself, trying to contain the whirlwind of emotions.

The taxi stops at my apartment. I pay, my fingers trembling, and hurry inside. The moment I enter, a golf club narrowly misses my face. Eva, holding it, looks unfazed.

“Really, Eva?” I exclaim, my heart still racing.

She sets the club down. “You’re back early. What happened?”

I collapse onto the sofa, the weight of the night pressing down. “He wants more,” I murmur, the confession feeling like a betrayal.

Eva’s gaze sharpens. “And you?”

I swallow hard, tears threatening. “It’s complicated. I want to, but that’s the problem.”

She sits beside me, her presence grounding. “Tell me everything.”

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