Lara woke up to the smell of smoke, her heart racing as she stumbled out of bed, still in her pajamas, her curly brown hair a mess. She'd fallen asleep at the bakery after baking with Ethan (Chapter 12), and now the kitchen was filled with haze, the fire alarm blaring. Ethan was already there, his green eyes wide, a fire extinguisher in his hands as he sprayed a small blaze near the oven. "Lara, stay back!" he shouted, his voice hoarse, his white shirt smudged with soot.
They got the fire under control, but the damage was done—scorched counters, a broken oven, and Sweet Haven's next event in jeopardy. Lara's hazel eyes filled with tears, her dream crumbling again, her hands shaking as she swept up ash. "How did this happen?" she whispered, her voice breaking.
Ethan's face darkened, his jaw tight. "It wasn't an accident. I saw Claire outside earlier—she was watching us. I think she did this."
Before Lara could process that, Claire returned, striding into the bakery like she owned it, her red coat bright against the smoky mess. "Looks like you're having a rough day," she said, her blue eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Ethan, tell her the truth—or I will."
Lara's stomach twisted, her voice sharp. "What truth? What's going on, Ethan?"
Claire smirked, her words cutting deep. "He proposed to me, two years ago. Said he loved me, wanted a future—until he got what he wanted and left. Sound familiar, Lara?"
Lara's heart stopped, her hazel eyes darting to Ethan, searching for a denial, but his silence said too much. He ran a hand through his hair, his voice low, ashamed. "It's true, Lara. I proposed to Claire, but it was a mistake—I was young, desperate, and I didn't love her. I ended it, and she's been bitter ever since. But I love you. I choose you."
Lara's chest ached, her insecurities flaring—Jake's betrayal, Ethan's secrets, now this. But Ethan stepped closer, his green eyes pleading, his hands reaching for hers. "I'm not that guy anymore. You're my future, Lara—I swear."
She wanted to believe him, her heart torn, but before she could answer, the bakery event started—customers arriving despite the chaos. Claire sabotaged it further, spreading rumors about the fire, scaring people away. Lara and Ethan worked through the mess, their hands brushing as they served what they could, their love tested but holding.
As the day ended, the fire's origin was confirmed—an electrical fault, not Claire, but her sabotage had done enough damage. Lara sat on the counter, Ethan beside her, their shoulders touching, her heart still heavy with doubt as the bakery's future hung in the balance.
To be continued…