Chapter 10

Ava strutted over in a skintight black mini skirt that showed off every curve, a flirtatious smile playing on her lips as she made a beeline for Ethan. Lucas clicked his tongue but wisely stepped aside. "Ethan." She leaned in close, mimicking Lila’s soft tone as she whispered near his ear. “Lila?” Ethan’s eyes were bloodshot from the alcohol, his mind completely fogged. That familiar voice tugged at something buried deep in him, making him believe, if just for a second, it really was her. “It’s me.” Ava lowered her gaze, a flash of malice flickering in her eyes. “Ethan, I’m here for you... I screwed up before. Please, can you forgive me?” “Forgive?” Ethan’s voice cracked. “Lila... how could you be so cruel? But... I love you. Even if you cheat on me, I’d still stay.” Gritting her teeth, Ava forced down the bitterness, adjusted her expression, then threw her arms around him and pressed her lips onto his. Meanwhile, Lila stumbled aimlessly on the street, dazed. Ava had convinced her to come out for a drink to “relax,” something she never wanted. But after all the pushing, she’d finally caved in. Ava claimed she’d head to the bar first because of something urgent, leaving Lila to wander alone through the cold night. The flashing lights, biting wind, the buzz of city life—all things she was used to—suddenly felt alien and cold, as if they were all part of some elaborate trap. She finally arrived at the bar they’d agreed on and called Ava, but got no answer. Shivering, she stepped in on her own. The neon-lit room seemed to spin. Even walking felt like a chore, but she forced herself to take another step. Then, in a single glance toward the bar counter, she froze. The noise faded to nothing. Every voice, every beat of music, just stopped. The only thing left was the pounding in her ears, her blood surging so fast it made her dizzy. Her vision blurred, except for one horrifyingly clear sight. The man she loved was kissing her best friend like they were the only two in the world. They looked like a perfect match, sweet and intimate—but to Lila, it was poisonous enough to kill. Her knees buckled, and it took everything she had not to collapse right there. So this... this was the ugly truth. Ethan had planned everything. He just wanted her, the clingy nuisance, gone for good.So... this is what betrayal feels like. Lila couldn’t even remember how she walked out of the club. It felt like all the blood in her body was draining straight into the ground—no actual wound, yet her chest throbbed like someone was clenching it tight and slashing it open at the same time. She could almost smell blood in the air. Out of nowhere, a sharp pain stabbed through her lower belly. She dropped to the floor, curling up from the agony, her body shaking uncontrollably. The cold tiles beneath her didn’t do much to help. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to sit up, hands trembling as they pressed against her stomach. “Baby... you felt that, didn’t you? Mommy’s pain…” Her voice cracked, and tears streamed down her cheeks, falling hard like tiny knives stabbing her heart. “I’m sorry, baby... I really am. Mommy should’ve never loved the wrong person. This is all my fault... I’m so sorry…” She curled into herself, sobbing in silence, her entire world collapsing into darkness. Inside the club. Ethan was still clinging to the scent of the woman in his arms. But suddenly, something wasn’t right. His mind started clearing, and a jolt of realization hit him. This scent... wasn’t Lila’s. Lila always smelled soft and light, like fresh camellias. But this... this wasn’t her. His eyes snapped open. With a surge of disgust, he shoved the woman away. Under the dim lights, his gaze turned cold. Ava. His fists clenched, anger boiling under his skin. Ava couldn’t figure out what just happened. One minute they were kissing, next she was on the floor. Flushed and panicked, she looked up at him, eyes wet. “Ethan…” He got up slowly, towering over her, voice like ice. “Who said you could pretend to be her?” “Ethan... can’t it be me? I’ve loved you all these years!” But her words didn’t move him one bit. His eyes barely glanced at her. “I only let you close because you’re her friend. But even if it wasn’t her... it would never be you.” With that, Ethan turned and walked away without so much as a glance back. His words hit Ava like a slap. Her face turned ghostly pale, her hands trembling as hatred twisted her features. Why not her? Because of that woman—Lila White? Ava gritted her teeth. If she had to die trying, she wasn’t letting Lila get away with this.