Lara stood in Sweet Haven's doorway, the smell of smoke still lingering despite the cleanup after the fire (Chapter 13). The bakery's counters were scrubbed, but the broken oven sat like a scar, a reminder of the chaos Claire had caused with her sabotage and rumors. Lara's curly brown hair was tied back, her hazel eyes determined as she taped up a sign: "Community Bake Sale – Save Sweet Haven!" Ethan stood beside her, his green eyes bright with resolve, his black hair messy, his white shirt smeared with paint from making the sign.
"We'll get through this," he said, his hand squeezing hers, his voice steady. After Claire's revelation about his past proposal (Chapter 13), Lara had chosen to trust him, their love stronger than her doubts. They'd rallied the community—Chloe, the barista next door, spread the word, and neighbors donated supplies, all to raise money to fix the bakery and keep Ethan's studio safe from his creditor (Chapter 9).
The bake sale was a hit—kids ran around with cupcakes, parents bought cookies by the dozen, and Ethan's photos sold faster than Lara expected, his black-and-white prints of city life drawing smiles and cash. Lara's heart swelled as she watched Ethan charm a customer, his laugh warm, his green eyes catching hers across the crowd, a silent I love you.
But Claire wasn't done. She showed up mid-event, her blonde hair sleek, her blue eyes cold, her red coat a stark contrast to the sunny day. "You're pathetic, Ethan," she sneered, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Begging for scraps to save your little girlfriend's shop. I didn't start the fire, but I made sure no one would come—rumors work wonders."
Lara's blood boiled, her hands clenched, but Ethan stepped in, his voice low, firm. "Leave, Claire. You've done enough. I don't owe you anything—your lies won't break us." Claire smirked, turning to leave, but her words lingered, a shadow over the day.
The event raised enough to fix the oven, a small victory, and Lara pulled Ethan into the kitchen, her hazel eyes shining. "We did it," she whispered, kissing him softly, his arms wrapping around her, their love a shield against the chaos. But as they celebrated, the man in the dark suit—the creditor from the wedding (Chapter 9)—returned, his voice cold. "Ethan Cole, time's up. Ten thousand dollars—now, or I take your studio tomorrow."
Ethan's face paled, his grip on Lara tightening, their victory suddenly bittersweet as the new deadline loomed.
To be continued…