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Chapter 109 – Amara's POV
"This Time, I Stayed"
The room was quiet.
Soft morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, casting golden streaks across the bed. Everything felt warm—like I was floating in a moment that wasn't quite real.
But it was.
It was very real.
Ethan's arm was draped across my waist, his breath steady and warm against my shoulder, and the memory of last night washed over me slowly—soft touches, whispered words, the way he looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered.
And then the kiss.
The kiss that turned into something deeper. Something that had been building between us for months.
No games. No walls.
Just us.
And now he was asleep, curled around me like I was the only peace he'd known in weeks. His lashes brushed his cheek, and the usual sharpness in his expression was gone—replaced by something boyish, quiet, vulnerable.
I turned slightly to look at him. His face was relaxed, lips parted slightly, chest rising and falling with calm breaths.
I could've stared at him for hours.
But my heart was restless.
Because this wasn't the first time I had woken up beside him.
A year ago, after that one unforgettable night, I left.
Quietly.
Afraid of what it meant. Of what we meant.
Afraid of being hurt.
I told myself back then it was a mistake. That sleeping with him had been reckless, that it didn't mean anything.
But I lied.
It did.
And it still does.
Only now… I wasn't afraid anymore.
I reached up and touched his face gently, brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead. He shifted slightly, a quiet sound escaping his lips.
I smiled.
"Still sleeping, hmm?" I whispered.
He didn't stir, and I took the moment to breathe, really breathe, and let myself feel what I had been holding back for so long.
Ethan Lantel wasn't just the man I'd fallen for.
He was the one I ran from—and now the one I came back to.
I could've left again. Slipped out of his arms, out of his life.
But this time… I stayed.
Not because I was stuck.
Not because of guilt.
But because I wanted to.
Because I loved him.
Because leaving would've been a mistake I'd never forgive myself for.
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I slipped out of bed quietly, seeing that I wore his shirt, gave me a sense of satisfaction.he must have put it on me when I fell asleep . It was oversized, hanging off my shoulders, and it smelled like him—fresh soap and something expensive I could never name.
The penthouse was still dim and quiet.
I padded into the kitchen, filled a glass with water, and stood by the window, looking out at the skyline. Everything felt still. Like the whole world had paused to let me decide what came next.
And for the first time in a long time, I knew exactly what I wanted.
Not just passion or fleeting moments.
But real love. Real partnership. Something that scared me and thrilled me at the same time.
I took a slow sip and closed my eyes.
The memory of his hands on my skin, the way he whispered my name like it was something sacred—it played in my head like music I never wanted to stop.
I didn't know what today would bring.
Whether we'd talk about it, laugh about it, or pretend like nothing happened.
But one thing was clear.
This wasn't a mistake.
It was the beginning of something that had taken far too long to bloom.
And this time, I wasn't going to walk away.
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When I came back into the room, Ethan was still asleep.
He'd turned slightly, his hand now stretched toward the empty side of the bed, fingers twitching like he was reaching for me.
I climbed back in quietly, curling against him once more.
As if sensing my return, he stirred—his arm sliding around me, pulling me in closer. He let out a sleepy sigh and nuzzled into my neck.
"You're warm," he murmured.
I smiled against the pillow. "You're still burning up a little."
"Mmm… I'll survive."
We lay in silence for a few seconds.
Then his voice, hoarse and quiet: "You're still here."
"I am."
He shifted to look at me, eyes still heavy with sleep but full of something else—hope. Relief. Maybe even love.
"You didn't run this time."
I met his gaze, fingers brushing lightly against his jaw. "No. I didn't."
He nodded slowly, as if trying to believe it was real. "I thought I dreamed it."
"You didn't."
A soft laugh escaped him, and he leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. "I'm glad. Because waking up without you again… I don't think I could've handled it."
My heart thudded.
I didn't say anything.
I didn't need to.
Because he already knew.
And for once, words weren't necessary.
The silence between us was filled with more truth than a thousand conversations.
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End of Chapter 109 – Amara's POV