Anya watched Liam go, a knot of unease tightening in her stomach. His words echoed in her mind, a constant reminder of the precarious position she found herself in. This wasn't just a "fake" marriage anymore. It was a dangerous game, and she had no idea what the rules were.
She spent the rest of the day in a state of anxiety, unable to shake off the feeling that she was being watched. Every creak of the floorboards, every shadow that flitted across the wall, sent shivers down her spine.
Later that evening, Ethan returned. He looked tired but pleased as he slipped off his shoes and leaned against the doorframe, a gentle smile gracing his lips.
"You look… different," he observed, his gaze sweeping over her.
Anya felt a blush creep up her neck. "Different how?"
Ethan shrugged. "More… confident. Stronger."
Anya felt a strange warmth spread through her. His words, though simple, had a profound effect on her. She had spent the day feeling lost and vulnerable, but now, she felt a flicker of defiance.
"I had a visitor today," Anya said, her voice hesitant. "Liam."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Oh?"
Anya recounted the encounter, describing Liam's reaction to the apartment, his greed, and his veiled threats.
Ethan listened patiently, his expression remaining calm and collected. When she finished, he simply said, "Liam can be… persistent."
Anya looked at him, surprised by his nonchalance. She had expected him to be more concerned, more… protective.
"You don't seem very worried," she commented.
Ethan shrugged. "Liam is a nuisance, but he's not a threat. Besides," he added with a playful grin, "I think you can handle yourself just fine."
Anya felt a blush creeping up her neck again. His words were a strange mix of confidence and amusement, and it made her feel oddly… safe.
"Thank you," she said, her voice barely audible.
Ethan turned to her, his expression softening. "Don't worry about it," he said, his voice gentle. "I'm sure you handled it perfectly."
Anya felt a strange pull towards him, a desire to lean into him, to find comfort in his strength. But she held back, unsure of what this newfound protectiveness meant.
As they settled into the couch, a comfortable silence fell between them. Anya felt a strange sense of peace, a sense of security she hadn't felt in a long time. Despite the danger, despite the uncertainty, she felt a strange sense of belonging in Ethan's presence.
She knew this was a dangerous game, a game she might not be able to win. But for the first time since the night she had impulsively proposed to him, Anya felt a flicker of hope, a glimmer of something beautiful amidst the chaos.
Later that afternoon, Anya received a text message from Sarah. "So, what happened?" it read. "Did you two get back together?"
Anya felt a surge of anger. How dare Sarah pry into her personal life? She ignored the message, but Sarah continued to text, her messages growing increasingly desperate and accusatory.
"You stole him from me!" one message read. "He was mine first!"
Anya felt a shiver run down her spine. Sarah was jealous. And she was starting to feel like a pawn in a dangerous game, a game she didn't fully understand.
She deleted Sarah's messages and turned off her phone. She needed to talk to Ethan. She needed to understand what she was getting herself into.