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Part 29 – The Unwanted Kiss
The music pounded through the rooftop, laughter and cheers echoing in every corner. Nick stood near the drinks counter, casual as ever, yet somehow the center of attention. A crowd of girls hovered around him, leaning close, trying to touch his arm or shoulder.
But Nick wasn't that type. He kept a polite distance, dodging any bold hands with an easy smile. He joked, laughed, and made them feel included—but never let anyone cross the line. The girls didn't mind; his restraint only made him more magnetic. They followed him everywhere, circling like stars around a planet.
Anna noticed every second. She told herself it didn't matter. You chose Ethan. Ethan is yours now. But her chest tightened anyway, the sight of Nick's quiet charm pulling at something she couldn't admit.
Ethan, meanwhile, had his own admirers. A few girls, emboldened by champagne and the glamorous atmosphere, whispered to each other, daring each other to approach him. One finally stepped forward—a tall brunette with glossy hair. She laughed too loudly at his jokes, touched his shoulder, and when Ethan didn't shrug her off, leaned even closer.
Anna stiffened.
"Ethan," she whispered, tugging lightly at his sleeve.
But Ethan didn't move away. The girl's lips brushed his cheek, testing. And instead of stopping her, Ethan turned his face. Their lips met.
For a moment, the world froze.
Anna's stomach dropped, her eyes burning with shock. He didn't stop her. Worse—his hand slid behind the girl's waist, pulling her closer as he kissed her back. And then, as if that wasn't enough, Ethan deepened the kiss himself, taking control like he wanted to prove something.
The crowd around them whooped and clapped, some laughing, some whispering.
Anna's vision blurred. She could feel her throat closing, her chest tightening with a pain she couldn't name. Her fingers trembled, her lips quivered. She was seconds away from breaking down in front of everyone.
And Ethan noticed.
The moment he caught sight of her tear-filled eyes, something inside him snapped. He pushed the other girl away roughly, not even looking at her. Without hesitation, he grabbed Anna's face in both hands and crushed his lips against hers.
The kiss wasn't soft or tender. It was desperate, wild, almost possessive. The world faded—the crowd, the music, the lights—all drowned beneath the heat of Ethan's lips forcing her to stay.
Anna gasped against him, half-angry, half-shattered. She wanted to push him away, to scream at him for humiliating her, for breaking her trust. But instead, her tears spilled down her cheeks as Ethan kissed her harder, like he was trying to erase what just happened.
The room erupted—some people cheered louder, others stared in stunned silence.
Nick's expression hardened from across the floor. He didn't clap, didn't smile, didn't move closer. He just watched, eyes narrowing, as if silently promising Ethan: If you hurt her, I'll never forgive you.
Anna, trapped between her heartbreak and Ethan's fierce grip, felt her entire world spin out of control.
And deep inside, she knew this night had changed everything.