Chapter 2 – The Aftermath
The meeting ended, but the storm hadn’t.
Adrian was the last to leave the boardroom, deliberately slow, just to feel Ethan’s gaze burn into his back. He liked that fire. He liked knowing Ethan wasn’t as unaffected as he pretended.
But when the door shut and it was just the two of them, the temperature shifted.
Ethan vale (Ml)
(voice sharp)
What the hell are you doing here, Adrian?
Adrian Blackwood (Mc)
(casual)
Attending a meeting, obviously. Or was I supposed to ask for your royal blessing first?
Ethan vale (Ml)
Don’t play dumb. You knew this was my territory.
Adrian Blackwood (Mc)
(smirking, stepping closer)
Oh, I knew. That’s why I came.
Ethan’s eyes narrowed, dangerous. He always wore control like armor, but right now—Adrian saw the cracks.
Ethan vale (Ml)
You always did like to provoke me.
Adrian Blackwood (Mc)
And you always rise to the bait. Some things never change.
For a moment, silence stretched. The years between them pressed down like lead. Then Ethan’s voice dropped, rougher, bitter.
Ethan vale (Ml)
Do you remember what you did?
Adrian Blackwood (Mc)
(pausing, then softly)
I remember everything.
Ethan vale (Ml)
(cold)
Then you should remember how you betrayed me.
Adrian’s smirk faltered for the first time.
Adrian Blackwood (Mc)
…Is that what you still believe?
Ethan’s jaw tightened, and he turned away as though looking at Adrian too long would burn.
Ethan vale (Ml)
I don’t believe. I know.
Adrian’s chest ached—not that he’d ever admit it. He let out a soft laugh instead, masking the crack in his expression.
Adrian Blackwood (Mc)
(voice smooth again)
Fine. Keep your ghost stories, Vale. But one day… you’ll learn the truth.
Ethan spun back to face him, fury in his eyes.
Ethan vale (Ml)
I don’t need the truth from you.
Adrian Blackwood (Mc)
(smirking again, though his eyes were sharp)
Oh, Ethan… you’ve always needed me. That’s the one thing that hasn’t changed.
The tension hung between them, electric and unbearable, until the sound of heels clicking against marble echoed down the hall.
Lila Vale, Ethan’s younger sister, appeared at the end of the corridor. Her bright smile lit up the space, innocence in her eyes as she waved.
Lila Vale (Ethan younger sister)
Adrian? Is that really you?
Ethan stiffened. Adrian’s smirk returned, but this time it was different
Adrian Blackwood (Mc)
(softly, to Ethan)
Well. Isn’t this… interesting.
And just like that, the war between them had a new battlefield.
Comments