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Part Four: The Cousin's Arrival
It was a bright morning when the school buzzed with unusual excitement. A new student had joined—Ethan Carter. Tall, sharp-featured, with a charming smile, Ethan instantly caught everyone's attention. Within hours, half the girls in the school were whispering about him.
"Who is he?" someone asked.
"They say he's Nick Carter's cousin," another answered.
Annarosé didn't pay much attention at first. She had heard the name, but she was too focused on her classes and the project with Nick.
Nick, however, froze the moment he saw Ethan walking into the hallway. His jaw tightened, his eyes darkened.
"Ethan…" he muttered under his breath.
Their eyes met for a brief second. Ethan smirked, tilting his head slightly as if to mock him. Nick turned away, irritation flashing across his face. He knew Ethan all too well—his cousin had a reputation for breaking hearts. Ethan played with girls, used them, and left without guilt. Yet, somehow, people still adored him.
But Annarosé… she couldn't help it. The moment she saw Ethan, her gaze lingered longer than it should have. His presence was magnetic, almost impossible to ignore. She tried to focus on her notebook, yet her eyes wandered back to him again and again.
Ethan noticed, of course. With that effortless charm, he glanced at her across the corridor and smirked, giving her a slow, deliberate wink. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she quickly looked away, but the image of his smile stayed in her mind.
Nick noticed this too. His heart sank as he watched her eyes follow Ethan, a look she had never given him.
Later at lunch, Ethan approached her table. He leaned casually, his voice smooth as silk.
"Hey. You must be Annarosé. I've already heard your name."
She looked up, startled. "Yes… and you are?"
"Ethan. Ethan Carter," he said, extending his hand. His eyes locked onto hers, holding them for just a moment longer than necessary.
And though Annarosé hesitated, she eventually shook his hand. Something unexplainable stirred in her chest.
From across the cafeteria, Nick's fists tightened. He hated this. He hated Ethan's smirk, and he hated that Annarosé seemed… drawn to it.
That evening in the library, Nick's voice was sharp.
"Stay away from Ethan," he said firmly.
Annarosé frowned. "Why? He seemed… kind."
Nick's gaze turned cold. "He's not who you think he is."
But even as she nodded slightly, her mind kept replaying Ethan's smile.
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