Lara stood behind the counter at Sweet Haven, the bakery buzzing with life for the first time in months. She and Ethan had organized a pop-up event—cupcakes paired with his photography prints for sale, a desperate bid to raise money for both the bakery and his studio after the creditor's threat (Chapter 9). The shop was packed, fairy lights strung across the ceiling, the smell of vanilla and chocolate filling the air, and Ethan's photos of city life glowed on the walls—kids laughing, old couples dancing, moments of joy captured in black and white.
Lara wore a soft pink apron over her jeans, her curly brown hair tied back, her hazel eyes bright as she handed out cupcakes, her smile real for the first time in weeks. Ethan worked the crowd, his green eyes sparkling, his black hair messy from running around, his white shirt sleeves rolled up. "Your lemon cupcakes are a hit," he said, stealing a bite from one, his grin teasing as he leaned over the counter to kiss her cheek, making her blush.
"Thanks for doing this with me," she said, her voice soft, her heart full. After the wedding fallout—losing the loan but gaining Ethan's love (Chapter 9)—they'd become a real team, their fake relationship now a partnership. The event was a success, raising enough to cover a chunk of Ethan's debt and keep the bakery afloat for another month.
As the night wound down, the last customers left, and Lara locked the door, turning to Ethan with a tired but happy smile. "We did it," she said, stepping into his arms, her hands resting on his chest. He looked down at her, his green eyes warm, filled with love, and kissed her—a real, deep kiss that made her toes curl, the bakery fading away as their hearts beat as one.
"I couldn't have done this without you," he whispered against her lips, his forehead resting on hers. "We're in this together, Lara—always."
But as they cleaned up, a letter slipped from Ethan's camera bag, landing on the counter. The handwriting was feminine, the envelope marked with a red heart, and the return address read: Claire Monroe. Lara's stomach twisted—Claire was Ethan's ex, someone he'd mentioned in passing but never in detail. The letter's words were stark: "Ethan, we need to talk. You owe me—don't forget our past."
Ethan's face paled, his hand trembling as he picked up the letter, and Lara's heart raced, a new shadow creeping into their fresh start.
To be continued…