SARAH

I stared at her, my pulse hammering in my ears. My fingers twitched at my side, aching to clench into fists, to shove them into my pockets, to do anything but reach for the ring.

She arched a brow, her smirk widening like she already knew she had won. “Well?”

I swallowed hard. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?” She tilted her head. “If it’s just a ring, if it means nothing, then taking it off shouldn’t be a problem.”

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

It should have been easy. Just a simple motion—slip the ring off, drop it onto the counter, and prove to her that I felt nothing for him. But my body wouldn’t move. My fingers curled inward, holding onto the phantom weight of the band as if it were fused to my skin.

She watched me carefully, her expression unreadable now. “Sarah.” Her voice was quieter this time, softer. “You can’t even do it, can you?”

My throat tightened. “That’s not—it’s not what you think.”

“Oh, I think it’s exactly what I think.” She leaned back, folding her arms again, a victorious gleam in her eyes. “You have feelings for him.”

“No, I don’t,” I shot back, but it was too late. The hesitation had already given me away.

She smiled knowingly. “Then take it off.”

I exhaled sharply, glaring at her, but my frustration wasn’t with her. It was with myself. With the damn ring. With the way my chest squeezed at the thought of removing it, like it would mean more than just breaking an agreement. Like it would mean admitting something I wasn’t ready to face.

My fingers brushed the band, my heartbeat quickening. But even as I tried to slide it off, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

I sucked in a breath and curled my fingers around the ring, steeling myself. It was just a piece of metal—nothing more. I could take it off. I would take it off.

With a slow exhale, I started to pull. The band slid slightly, cool against my skin, and for a second, I thought I had done it. But then—

Everything slowed.

A strange, heavy stillness settled over me, like the moment before a storm. The weight of the ring felt different now, heavier, like it wasn’t just a simple band but something more. And just as it was almost off my finger—

A voice shattered the moment.

“Sam…”

The name came with the sound of the entrance door shutting. I froze, my grip on the ring tightening as I turned my head just in time to see Adam stride inside.

He didn’t see me. His eyes were locked on Sam, filled with an almost desperate hunger, and before I could blink, he was on her.

He kissed her hard, his hand gripping the back of her neck, pulling her close like he needed her to breathe. Like nothing else in the world existed.

My fingers slackened around the ring.

And somehow with all the action happening right in front of my eyes, my traitorous mind wandered—Christopher would’ve done it better.

The thought was intrusive, unwelcome, and yet it stayed, curling in my chest like smoke.

How would he kiss me if he had the chance? Would it be just as desperate? Or worse—would it be slower, more controlled, the kind of kiss that unraveled everything inside me without a single word?

I coughed, louder than necessary, and Adam practically jumped away from Sam like he’d been electrocuted. His stumble was so dramatic that he nearly crashed to the floor, and I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.

“Sorry, Adam,” I said, the amusement clear in my voice.

He gaped at me, eyes wide, cheeks flushed a deep red. “Sarah?” He blinked rapidly, then turned to Sam for some kind of explanation before whipping his head back to me. “What—how did you even get here?”

“I asked the same thing,” Sam chimed in, clearly enjoying his reaction. She tugged him toward the couch, helping him sit since he still looked like he was recovering from shock. “Turns out, her new man has a private jet.”

Adam's eyebrows shot up. “Woah.” He let out an impressed whistle but then nodded like it made total sense.

I tilted my head at Sam, confused—until it clicked.

Adam didn’t know.

He didn’t know what we really did. He didn’t know why we lived in places like this, why I had access to luxury most people only dreamed about.

He thought my ex had spoiled me.

I almost laughed at the absurdity of it. If only he knew the truth.

Adam leaned back into the couch, stretching his hand to Sam's waist.“So, how was your trip?”

“It was fine,” I said, shrugging as I settled into a chair.

“When do I get to meet this mystery guy of yours?” He smirked, his curiosity evident.

Before I could respond, Sam grinned. A knowing, smug grin that made me want to roll my eyes so hard they got stuck.

I did roll my eyes, pushing up from my seat and heading toward the counter where I’d left my phone.

Unlocking my screen, I hesitated for half a second before tapping out my apartment address and sending it to Chris. Since he was being a complete ass and not even asking if I made it to the apartment safely.

I knew it wasn’t a long trip. It wasn’t even remotely dangerous. But still. A simple Did you get there okay? wouldn’t have killed him.

I stared at the message after hitting send, then shook my head at myself.

When did I become so desperate for him?

The thought made my chest tighten uncomfortably. It scared me—how much I noticed his absence, how much I wanted his attention. He was dangerous enough when he was just a man in my life. But the moment I started needing him?

That was a whole different kind of danger.

A soft giggle pulled me out of my thoughts.

I glanced up and saw Adam whispering something into Sam’s ear, his lips brushing against her skin as she laughed quietly.

And just like that, a tight feeling coiled in my gut.

I clenched my jaw, looking away quickly.

You’re tired, that’s all.

“I’m heading to bed, guys. I wanna sleep,” I announced, turning toward the hallway.

Sam looked up at me, surprised. “Aren’t you hungry?” She started to stand. “I can make something quick—”

I shook my head. “I’m good.” I forced a smile, though even I could tell it felt off. “Just need some sleep.”

Sam didn’t look convinced, but I waved her concern away before she could argue. “Later, Adam."

“Have a good rest, Sarah.” he called, still distracted by Sam as I turned toward my room.

Once inside, I locked the door behind me.

Because I knew Sam. And I knew if she followed me, she’d demand answers. She’d pry and poke and push until she dragged my feelings out into the open—feelings I didn’t even want to name right now, let alone talk about.

And I wasn’t in the mood.

Too many feelings were surfacing. And it was stressing me the hell out.

With a sigh, I stripped off my clothes, not even bothering with pajamas. I sank onto the bed, bare against the cool sheets, and closed my eyes.

Don’t think about him.

Don’t think about him.

Don’t think about—

Chris.

But of course, my mind never fucking listened.

I shook my head one last time, trying to silence the whirlwind of thoughts. But the only sound that remained was the pounding of my heart, racing uncontrollably as his image kept flashing in my mind, over and over again.

And just before sleep finally took over, the last thing I saw was him—his gaze hard, serious, and filled with want as he told me how much he wanted me.

The memory alone made me smile and I allowed myself hope he meant it.

●●●●

A yawn slipped from my lips as I stretched, the lingering haze of sleep still clinging to me. Blinking a few times, I turned my head toward the window and frowned.

The sky outside had gone orange.

I stared at it for a second, my mind sluggish as I processed just how late it had gotten. I slept that long?

No wonder I felt so… good. The exhaustion from earlier was gone, replaced with a surprising sense of peace, like my body had finally hit reset. It was probably the best sleep I’d had in weeks.

And I could smell roses.

Wait.

I shifted slightly in bed, my brows drawing together.

Why am I actually smelling roses?

The scent wasn’t subtle. It was strong. Like someone had dumped an entire pile of fresh roses into the apartment.

My pulse ticked up.

That’s not normal.

I sat up and threw my legs over the side of the bed, my instincts flaring with a quiet urgency. My bare skin prickled from the cool air, so I grabbed Sam hoodie and pulled it over my head.

Then, without wasting another second, I unlocked the door and stepped out into the hallway, my feet moving swiftly toward the living room.

As I stepped into the hallway, the scent of roses grew stronger. It wasn’t just in my room—it had seeped into the entire apartment.

My pulse quickened.

What the hell?

I moved faster, tugging the hoodie tighter around me as I reached the living room.

And then I froze.

The entire room was filled with roses.

Not just a few bouquets—dozens. Red, deep and velvety, their petals scattered across the coffee table, the couch, even the floor. Some were neatly arranged in crystal vases, while others lay in careless bundles, like they had been hurriedly placed down.

For a second, I just stood there, staring.

Then, my eyes snapped to Sam, who was sitting cross-legged on the couch, scrolling through her phone like this was the most normal thing in the world. Adam was beside her, watching something on TV, his arm slung lazily over the back of the couch.

Neither of them reacted to my presence. Like this wasn’t completely insane.

“What the hell is this?”

Sam looked up at me, an amused glint in her eyes. “Good evening to you too, sleeping beauty.”

I ignored her. “Sam.” I gestured to the sea of roses overtaking the living room. “What is this?”

She shrugged. “Your lover boy has a flair for dramatics.”

My stomach dropped.

Christopher?

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry as I stepped further into the room, weaving through the overwhelming scent of roses.

Adam finally looked over at me, smirking. “You didn’t tell me your guy was this extra.”

“He’s not—” I started, but my words died when I saw the note.

It sat on the coffee table, tucked between two vases. A simple white envelope with my name written on it in his handwriting.

My fingers twitched.

I shouldn’t care. I shouldn’t. But as I reached for it, my hands weren’t as steady as I wanted them to be.

I hesitated for a fraction of a second—then picked it up and slid my finger under the seal.

Inside was a single piece of paper.

I'm sorry.

Chris.

I read it again.

Then again.

It was ridiculous how much power a simple apology could hold.

My heart felt lighter. I hated that it did, but it was the truth. Seeing those words, knowing he acknowledged his weird behavior, made something ease in my chest.

But the relief didn’t last.

Because after a good night’s sleep, after clearing my head, I realized something important.

It was for the best that he kept acting this way.

We were from two different worlds.

And even if I could still be with him, even if I ignored every logical reason to stay away—he was a taken man.

These flowers…

They should have gone to her.

Not me.

A sharp sting pressed against my ribs, but I ignored it. Clenching the letter tightly in my fist, I turned on my heel and threw it into the nearest trash bin. The paper crumpled as it hit the bottom.

Silence stretched in the room.

When I looked up, Sam and Adam were both staring at me like I’d just slapped someone.

“Are you serious?” Sam blinked, her mouth slightly open.

Adam let out a low whistle. “Damn, cold-blooded.”

But they needed to understand.

I was protecting myself.

The last thing I needed was to get heartbroken. Again.

Yes, maybe Sam had a point before—maybe I should have just let myself enjoy it, taken whatever pleasure Chris was offering.

But I couldn’t.

Not again.

Once was enough to know that he was an addiction. An easy trap to fall into. And somehow, I had already slipped further than I realized.

The Sarah from a few months ago would be disappointed. She would have laughed at the idea of falling for someone like him.

Yet, here I was.

And I needed to fix it.

"Sarah?"

Sam’s voice was softer now. When I turned, she was watching me carefully. “Are you okay?”

I wasn’t sure if I was.

But I would be.

I followed her gaze, my eyes landing on my luggage by the door.

A thought struck me.

Distraction. I needed one.

A slow smile pulled at my lips. “Let’s go to the club.”

I barely glanced at Sam as I grabbed my suitcase and started dragging it toward my room.

“Wait—what?” she blurted, her head jerking back in confusion.

“You heard me.” I shot her a look before turning to Adam. “You too. Better change, because you’re coming.”

Adam raised an eyebrow, glancing at Sam like she had the answers. But when she only gave him a helpless shrug, he sighed and nodded. “Fine. But I expect free drinks for this.”

I smirked before closing my bedroom door behind me.

I needed this.

I needed to free myself from him.

To forget.

To act like we didn’t exist.

Because at the end of the day…

It was just a contract.

Nothing was real between us.