The morning air was crisp, the early sunlight filtering through the curtains. Ethan had spent most of the previous night lost in thought, turning over everything that had happened since Lila had barreled into his life. For a moment, it felt like they were finally settling into a rhythm, but life had a way of throwing curveballs when least expected.
As he folded a new stack of clothes—courtesy of Lila's persistence during their shopping spree—his phone buzzed on the counter. Ethan frowned. He wasn't expecting anyone to call. Picking it up, he froze when he saw the name: Chase Donovan.
The memories came rushing back in a torrent. Chase had been more than a friend; he'd been like a brother. Together, they'd dreamed of building an empire, but everything had crumbled when Chase betrayed him, leaving Ethan to face financial ruin alone.
Ethan's jaw tightened as he stared at the screen. Against his better judgment, he answered.
"Chase," he said coldly.
"Ethan! Man, it's been forever," Chase's voice came through the line, cheerful and familiar, though it grated on Ethan's nerves.
"What do you want?" Ethan asked, not bothering to hide the edge in his tone.
Chase hesitated before replying, "Look, I know I'm probably the last person you want to hear from, but... I've been hearing good things about you. Sounds like you're back on your feet. I thought maybe we could catch up."
Ethan snorted. "Catch up? After what you pulled? You really think I'm interested in a stroll down memory lane?"
"I get it," Chase said quickly, his tone softening. "I messed up. I was young, stupid, and greedy. But I've changed, Ethan. I want to make things right."
Ethan didn't respond immediately, his grip tightening on the phone.
"I'll be in town tomorrow," Chase added. "Let me take you to lunch. No strings attached, just... let me explain."
The silence stretched before Ethan finally muttered, "I'll think about it." Without waiting for a response, he ended the call and tossed the phone onto the counter.
"Who was that?" Lila's voice broke into his thoughts. She stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her sharp gaze cutting through the tension.
Ethan sighed. "An old friend. Or at least, he used to be. He's the one who screwed me over years ago."
Lila raised an eyebrow. "And now he wants to reconnect?"
"Apparently," Ethan said. "Says he's changed. Wants to make amends."
She regarded him for a moment before shrugging. "Your call. But if it were me, I wouldn't trust him farther than I could throw him."
"Yeah," Ethan said grimly. "That's the problem."
The next day, Ethan found himself sitting in a corner booth at a small café downtown. He'd wrestled with whether or not to come, but curiosity had won out. If nothing else, he wanted answers.
Chase arrived a few minutes late, his polished suit and easy smile unchanged from the last time Ethan had seen him. As Chase slid into the seat across from him, Ethan couldn't help but feel a pang of resentment at how unaffected the man seemed.
"Ethan," Chase said, extending a hand. "It's good to see you."
Ethan didn't shake it. "Let's skip the pleasantries. Why am I here?"
Chase chuckled nervously, pulling his hand back. "Alright, fair enough. Look, I know I'm not your favorite person right now—"
"Try 'ever,'" Ethan interrupted, his tone flat.
"Okay, fine," Chase admitted, raising his hands in surrender. "I deserve that. But I'm not here to waste your time. I want to make things right."
Ethan crossed his arms. "You keep saying that. What does 'making things right' look like to you?"
Chase leaned forward, his expression earnest. "I've been working on something—a legitimate business venture this time. A tech startup with real potential. But I need a partner I can trust. Someone with your skills, your drive. I want you to come on board."
Ethan stared at him, stunned by the audacity. "You want me to trust you again? After you left me in the gutter?"
"I know it's a big ask," Chase said quickly. "But I've learned from my mistakes. I'm not the same person I was back then. And if you don't believe me, let me prove it. We can start small—no risk to you. Just hear me out."
The sincerity in Chase's voice gave Ethan pause, but years of bitterness and betrayal weren't easily swept away.
"I'll think about it," Ethan said finally, standing up.
Chase looked relieved. "That's all I'm asking. Take your time, Ethan. I'm not going anywhere."
Ethan left without another word, his thoughts swirling.
Back at the apartment, Lila was waiting, lounging on the couch with a book.
"Well?" she asked, setting the book aside. "How did it go?"
Ethan dropped onto the couch with a sigh. "He says he wants to make amends. Offered me a partnership in some tech startup he's working on."
Lila tilted her head, intrigued. "And do you believe him?"
"I don't know," Ethan admitted. "He seemed genuine, but it's hard to tell. He's always been a smooth talker."
Lila smirked. "Sounds like a classic con artist move. What are you going to do?"
"I'm not sure," Ethan said, rubbing his temples. "Part of me wants to believe he's changed, but I'm not ready to trust him yet."
"Then don't," Lila said simply. "Let him prove himself first. Make him earn your trust."
Ethan looked at her, surprised by the blunt yet practical advice. "You make it sound so easy."
"It's not," she admitted. "But trust isn't free, Ethan. If he really wants to make things right, he'll do the work."
He nodded, her words resonating.
For the first time, Ethan realized he wasn't facing this decision alone. Lila, for all her flaws and sharp edges, was proving to be a surprisingly steady presence in his life. And though the road ahead was uncertain, he felt a flicker of hope that, together, they could navigate it.