I couldn't bring myself to do anything. A part of me was relieved that Ethan finally knows I was with Jace last night. Do I regret it? No, I wouldn't change a thing. But that relief hits me with an overwhelming wave of guilt. How did I end up in this situation?
Just as I was lost in my thoughts, Mia burst into the room, all pumped up.
"Ivy, you won't believe it! Jace and Ethan got into a massive fight. Apparently, Ethan went to Jace's apartment and threw some punches."
What the fuck? No, no, no—I never meant for this to happen.
"Mia, I did something horrible... I slept with Jace last night, and Ethan knows. That's why all this is happening!" I sobbed, the weight of my actions crashing down on me.
Mia's eyes widened in shock. She hadn't seen this coming. Ethan and I were always so perfect together; no one would've guessed I'd jeopardize it all.
Mia quickly wrapped me in a comforting hug. "Ivy, we need to talk this through. You can't just run off to Jace right now."
But the impulse to see him was too strong. "I have to go talk to Jace," I insisted.
Mia looked confused but nodded. "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes," I replied, my voice steady despite the chaos inside.
I drove to Jace's apartment, my heart racing with every mile. When I knocked on the door, it swung open to reveal Jace. My breath caught in my throat at the sight of his bruises.
"Jace..." I whispered, my heart breaking. I stepped inside and gently touched the bruises on his face, my fingers trembling. Without thinking, I hugged him tightly.
"I'm so sorry, Jace. All of this is my fault. I should never have come here last night," I admitted, tears spilling down my cheeks.
"Hey, hey... Ivy, we're in this together, okay? It's not just you," he said softly, brushing my hair back from my face.
I couldn't help but cry harder, burying my face in his shirt as he held me. The warmth of his embrace made me feel safe, yet so lost.
"I told Ethan about last night. He just... lost it. I never meant for any of this to happen, Jace," I confessed, my voice muffled against his chest.
"Ethan always had a temper, but I didn't think he'd go that far," Jace replied, his tone serious. "What did he say?"
"He just kept asking if we... if we slept together. When I said yes, he got so angry. I didn't know he would... would take it out on you." My voice broke again as I recalled Ethan's fury.
Jace sighed, his hand stroking my back. "You know what? It's done now. We can't change what happened."
In no time, the tension shifted, and we found ourselves wrapped up in each other again. Lost in the moment, we tumbled into bed.
After we were done, Jace's voice broke the silence. "Ivy?"
"Yeah?" I murmured, feeling a mixture of contentment and confusion.
"Do you regret all this?"
I looked into his eyes, searching for the truth within myself. "No, Jace, I don't."
I had to talk to Ethan.
YOU ARE READING
Shades of Desire
RomanceIvy, a college freshman eager for a fresh start, finds herself caught in a tangled web of emotions when she meets two stepbrothers-Ethan, the charming and carefree one, and Jace, the intense and mysterious older brother. As Ivy navigates her new lif...