Moment of vulnerability

Emily paced in her room, replaying the evening's events in her head. Ethan's cousin—at least, she assumed that was who Rosa was—had been acting far too cozy with him. It wasn't her business, yet it stirred something inside her she didn't want to name.

"That guy," she muttered, running a hand through her hair. "Why couldn't he just explain things properly instead of letting me stew like this?"

She huffed and walked toward the door, half hoping he'd be on the other side so she could demand some answers. When she opened it, she found the hallway empty.

Emily sighed. "Figures."

She turned back to her room, but before she could close the door, a hand caught it. Startled, she looked up to see Ethan standing there, his expression unreadable.

"Ethan? What are you—"

Before she could finish, he stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. He said nothing, his gaze locked on hers.

"Do you think barging into someone's room is polite?" she quipped, crossing her arms to hide the fluttering in her chest.

Ethan didn't answer. Instead, he reached out, taking her hand in his. His touch was warm, steady, and utterly disarming.

"Emily," he said, his voice low, "do you know how maddening you are?"

Her brows furrowed. "Excuse me?"

"You make me second-guess everything," he continued, his gaze never leaving hers. "You're stubborn, impossible to read, and every time I think I'm getting closer to understanding you, you throw me off completely."

Emily blinked, her mouth opening and closing as she searched for a response. She wasn't used to this Ethan—the one who was open, almost vulnerable.

"You… could've just said you were annoyed with me," she managed to say, her voice softer than she intended.

Ethan chuckled, a deep, rich sound that made her stomach flip. "Annoyed isn't the word I'd use."

"What word would you use, then?" she asked, more curious than she cared to admit.

He stepped closer, so close she had to tilt her head to look at him. "Intrigued. Frustrated. Captivated."

Emily's heart raced, but she refused to let him see her falter. "Big words for someone who doesn't bother to clarify things. Like, for instance, who exactly that woman was tonight."

Ethan smirked. "Jealous, are we?"

She scoffed, turning her head to hide the heat rising in her cheeks. "Hardly. I just like knowing what's going on in my own home."

"She's my cousin," Ethan said, his tone serious now. "Rosa. She dropped by unannounced, and I asked her to play along with me for a bit. It was stupid, I know."

Emily frowned, processing his words. "Why would you do that?"

Ethan hesitated, then sighed. "Because I wanted to see how you'd react. To see if I matter to you even half as much as you matter to me."

His words hit her like a wave, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe.

"That's ridiculous," she said, though her voice wavered.

"Maybe," Ethan replied, his hand brushing against hers. "But I'd do it again if it meant getting even a glimpse of how you really feel."

Emily stared at him, her walls crumbling bit by bit. She wanted to be angry, to push him away, but the sincerity in his eyes made it impossible.

"You're impossible," she muttered, her lips twitching despite herself.

Ethan smiled, a soft, genuine smile that made her chest ache. "And yet, here I am."

---

Meanwhile, Downstairs

Rosa poured herself a glass of water, the faint sounds from upstairs making her pause.

She smirked, shaking her head. "Looks like my job here is done," she said to herself, setting the glass down and heading to her room.