Ethan is a businessman with a secret. His calm life gets shaken up when his ex, Madison, shows up out of the blue. She has surprising news: she's pregnant and has been caught up in a mess created by a guy named Aaron. Aaron is mean and greedy, and he has been pulling the strings in both their lives. When Ethan finds out about Aaron's lies and shady dealings, he decides it's time to fight back. As Ethan digs deeper, it becomes clear that Aaron won't back down easily. He starts making threats, making things even scarier for Ethan and Madison. With danger closing in, Ethan and Madison have no choice but to team up. They have to tackle lies and old hurts while trying to stay safe. As they work together, feelings that they thought were gone start bubbling up again. But trust is hard to find. As the plot thickens, Ethan and Madison's battle against Aaron heats up. They face unexpected twists and confront their pasts. They must figure out if they can truly break free from Aaron or if the scars from their past will keep them trapped. Their fight isn't just about stopping Aaron; it's about taking control of their lives and their future.
Chapter 1 A Chance Meeting
The sounds of New York City buzzed all around me as I left the coffee shop. I held my hot cappuccino close. The January cold cut through my coat, but the warmth from my drink made it bearable. I couldn't stop to enjoy it. I was busy at Foster & Co., a big ad agency in Manhattan. I needed to work hard to prove myself after getting a promotion.
"Ethan! Wait up!" My buddy, Michael, was rushing to catch up. His scarf danced in the wind. "You left the files on your desk again."
I sighed and took the folder he handed me. "Thanks, man. I owe you one."
"You owe me more than just coffee," Michael joked, flashing his trademark grin. "Any plans for the weekend? Or is it all about work?"
Just as I was about to answer, I heard a familiar voice. A voice I hadn't heard in three years.
"Ethan King?"
My heart raced. I turned slowly. There she was. Madison Harper was right in front of me, her chestnut curls blowing in the wind. She'd been my everything once, and she had broken my heart in the worst way.
"Madison," I said, almost in a whisper. Saying her name felt heavy.
She looked even better than I remembered. Time had done her favors. Yet, I knew better than to get lost in her charm again. Not after what had happened between us.
"Wow," she said, stepping closer. "It's really you! For a minute, I thought I was imagining it." Her light tone didn't match the storm inside me.
Michael picked up on the tension. He gave me a quick nod and made a graceful exit.
"What are you doing here, Madison?" I asked, sharper than I meant to.
She raised an eyebrow, her hazel eyes sparkling with mischief. "It's a public street, Ethan. I can walk here, can't I?"
"I mean why are you in my part of town?" I tightened my grip on my coffee cup. Memories rushed back-the fights, the lying, the pain.
Madison took a breath, her smile fading. "I'm here for work. It's just a short project. I didn't think I'd run into you so fast."
"Fast?" I scoffed. "It's been three years, Madison. Three long years since you ghosted me."
I could see her flinch. For a second, I thought I noticed a hint of regret on her face. "I had my reasons."
"Reasons?" I shook my head, my voice raising. "You were with my best friend! You think that's a good reason?"
Her cheeks turned red. "It wasn't like that..."
"It was exactly like that!" I snapped. "You turned me into a punchline. Do you even know how that feels?"
Madison opened her mouth to respond but nothing came out. The confident woman I once knew seemed to fade. She looked unsure, almost fragile. It was so different from the Madison who walked out on me.
"I'm not here to fight," she finally said, her voice quiet. "I just wanted to say hello."
"Well, you've said it," I shot back. "Now, if you don't mind, I have to get back to work."
I turned and walked away, my heart racing. But the crowded sidewalk was alive, and just when I thought I'd escaped, I heard her call out.
"Ethan."
I paused but didn't look back.
"I never stopped thinking about you," she said. "Not even once."
Her words lingered in the air, stirring feelings I thought I had buried deep. I wanted to keep walking, to leave her behind forever. But there was a part of me that wasn't ready to let go.
As I stood there, caught between the past and the present, I realized something. This wasn't finished. Not by a long shot.
Chapter 1 A Chance Meeting
15/01/2025
Chapter 2 Looking Back
15/01/2025
Chapter 3 Strings Attached
15/01/2025
Chapter 4 Secrets Revealed
15/01/2025
Chapter 5 Shadows of Betrayal
15/01/2025
Chapter 6 The Noose Tightens
15/01/2025
Chapter 7 The Secret
15/01/2025
Chapter 8 The Trap
15/01/2025
Chapter 9 The First Strike
15/01/2025
Chapter 10 Trouble Ahead
15/01/2025
Chapter 11 The Final Confrontation
15/01/2025
Chapter 12 The Escape
15/01/2025
Chapter 13 The Chase
15/01/2025
Chapter 14 Into the Abyss
15/01/2025
Chapter 15 The Final Hunt
18/01/2025
Chapter 16 Shadows of the Past
19/02/2025