Chapter 173

Elena woke up wrapped in Ethan's arms, feeling more content than she had in weeks. But as reality crept in with the morning sunlight streaming through the curtains, her mood shifted dramatically.

She had to leave. They'd agreed to keep their reconciliation a secret, and that meant going back to pretending they were still at odds with each other.

She hated it. Hated having to hide the fact that she was finally happy, that the man she loved had finally let her back in. But she understood the necessity of it, even if it made her want to scream with frustration.

"I don't want to go," she mumbled...