Here is Chapter 15
Chapter 153 – Ethan POV
Surprise Plans
Amara had been… different lately.
Not in a dramatic, over-the-top kind of way. But in the quiet, subtle changes that only someone who loved her as much as I did would notice.
She sighed more.
She picked at her food one day and devoured a whole tray of brownies the next.
She was quieter in the mornings, rubbing her eyes and clinging to the bed like it owed her another three hours of sleep.
And the worst part? When I asked her if everything was okay, she always smiled and said, "Just tired."
I wasn't buying it anymore.
I stared at my laptop, the spreadsheet in front of me completely forgotten as my fingers hovered over the keyboard. I couldn't concentrate. The thought of her pale face and the way she rushed to the bathroom this morning wouldn't leave my head.
She'd claimed it was the coffee making her nauseous. But Amara loved coffee. She once drank a double espresso during a thunderstorm and called it comfort in a cup.
So, no. Something was definitely going on.
I wasn't going to push her. I knew her too well—if I pressured her, she'd only retreat further into her shell. But I could try something else.
Something that would pull her back to me.
Something that might make her talk… or at least smile.
I opened a new browser tab and started searching.
A cabin. Somewhere cozy, quiet. Not too far from the city. Private. Peaceful.
She loved nature. She loved being away from the buzz of everything. She once said that the trees made her feel like she could breathe again.
So I'd take her to the trees.
I found a hidden gem—a small, romantic cabin tucked in a forest clearing with a porch swing, a stone fireplace, and even a clawfoot bathtub by the window. It was perfect. I booked it for the weekend, two nights, and made a mental note to call the caretaker for special arrangements—flowers, her favorite snacks, extra blankets.
When I closed the laptop, I finally felt like I could breathe again.
This was the woman I planned to spend the rest of my life with.
And I refused to sit back while something weighed on her heart.
I walked into the kitchen and grabbed my phone, dialing Arya. She picked up on the second ring.
"Ethan? Everything okay?"
"Yeah. Hey, um…" I scratched the back of my neck. "Have you noticed anything… different about Amara lately?"
There was a pause. "Why do you ask?"
"I don't know. She's been off. Not herself. I wanted to surprise her with a weekend trip, but… I guess I just need to know if there's something I should be worried about."
Arya was silent for a moment, and I could almost hear her choosing her words carefully.
"She did come over yesterday for lunch. Threw up. Twice."
I froze. "What?"
"She brushed it off, said it was a stomach bug. But Ethan… I think you should just keep an eye on her. A real one. Gently."
My heartbeat kicked up. "You think she's sick?"
"No," Arya said softly. "I don't think it's that kind of sick."
I frowned. "Then what—"
"Just trust your gut. You know her. She'll tell you when she's ready. For now… that weekend trip sounds like a good idea."
"Yeah. Okay. Thanks, Arya."
After we hung up, I leaned against the counter, staring at the floor.
She was hiding something. Maybe not on purpose, but still.
And if I wanted her to feel safe enough to open up, I needed to make sure she knew—really knew—that no matter what, I was on her side.
The next morning, I got up early, left a note on the nightstand, and returned an hour later with pastries from her favorite bakery and two cups of hot cocoa.
She blinked sleepily when I walked in, her hair a tangled halo around her head, still wearing my hoodie from last night.
"Ethan?" she mumbled. "What time is it?"
"Almost nine. I brought you breakfast in bed." I held up the tray and grinned. "And I booked us a weekend away."
Her eyes widened a little. "Wait—what?"
"Just the two of us. Friday through Sunday. I'll handle everything. You just have to pack warm clothes, and maybe a book or two."
She sat up slowly, surprised written across her face.
"You didn't have to do all that…"
"I wanted to." I placed the tray in her lap and sat beside her. "You've been taking care of everything lately. Me. Work. Cooking, even when I told you to rest. I want to give you something back. Just us, no distractions."
Her eyes softened, and she leaned her head on my shoulder. "That sounds perfect."
I pressed a kiss to her temple.
Maybe she wasn't ready to talk about whatever it was just yet. But I'd wait.
As long as she needed.
Because love wasn't just about the big declarations and wedding vows. It was about the little things. The quiet mornings. The surprise pastries. The soft places you gave each other to fall.
And I was determined to be hers.
Always.
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