Moonlit Mountain (Caleb and Sarah)

Chapter 17

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The tears dried up, replaced by a look of bewildered hurt in Hannah's eyes. She couldn't understand this sudden shift in their demeanor. Just a few days ago, they'd been putty in her hands, their concern for her a balm to her carefully constructed insecurities. Now, they looked at her with a cold indifference that sent a shiver down her spine. It was as if her tears, her vulnerability, held no power over them anymore.

She couldn't tell them the truth. She couldn't confess to the subtle

manipulations, the carefully planted seeds of doubt, the triumphant texts she'd sent Violet, gloating about her conquest. She'd lose everything: her job, her apartment, the illusion of belonging she'd so carefully crafted.

"Ethan, please," she whimpered, her voice barely a whisper as she reached

out to grasp his hand."You have to believe me. I would never do anything to hurt Violet. She's...she's like a sister to me. I'm just... I'm so grateful for everything she' s done for me."

"If...if she's uncomfortable with me living here," she continued, her voice

cracking with feigned distress, "I'll move out. It's just... I thought we were all friends. Maybe she's... maybe she's jealous."

She squeezed out a few more tears, hoping to evoke a flicker of the

sympathy, the protectiveness, that had always been her weapon of choice. Ethan

was the softhearted one, the one who was quick to forgive, quick to comfort. If 0.0%

II 12:37

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(Finding Forever After the Betrayal Chapter 17

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The tears dried up, replaced by a look of bewildered hurt in Hannah's eyes. She couldn't understand this sudden shift in their demeanor. Just a few days ago, they'd been putty in her hands, their concern for her a balm to her carefully constructed insecurities. Now, they looked at her with a cold indifference that sent a shiver down her spine. It was as if her tears, her vulnerability, held no power over them anymore.

She couldn't tell them the truth. She couldn't confess to the subtle manipulations, the carefully planted seeds of doubt, the triumphant texts she'd sent Violet, gloating about her conquest. She'd lose everything: her job, her apartment, the illusion of belonging she'd so carefully crafted.

"Ethan, please," she whimpered, her voice barely a whisper as she reached

out to grasp his hand. "You have to believe me. I would never do anything to hurt Violet. She's...she's like a sister to me. I'm just... I'm so grateful for everything she' s done for me."

"If...if she's uncomfortable with me living here," she continued, her voice cracking with feigned distress, "I'll move out. It's just... I thought we were all friends. Maybe she's... maybe she's jealous."

She squeezed out a few more tears, hoping to evoke a flicker of the

sympathy, the protectiveness, that had always been her weapon of choice. Ethan was the softhearted one, the one who was quick to forgive, quick to comfort. If 12:37

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she could just get him on her side, she could salvage this. She could still win. Ethan, however, stared at her with a coldness that sent a chill down her spine.

His easygoing charm, his playful grin... it was all gone, replaced by a steely resolve that made her heart pound with a fear she hadn't known he was capable of inspiring.

He gave a harsh laugh, a sound devoid of any humor."You really are a piece

of work, aren't you, Hannah? Playing the victim, even now." His gaze hardened"

You know, I'm not always the nice guy everyone thinks I am."

Before Hannah could react, he slammed her head down on the table, his hands closing around her throat, his fingers pressing into her skin with a force that stole her breath.

Aiden's voice, cold and emotionless, was a whisper in her ear. "You like your job, don't you, Hannah? Your fancy apartment? Your designer clothes? It would be a shame to lose it all, wouldn't it?" He paused, letting his words sink in, his gaze unwavering."Go back to that little village you came from...empty-handed.

I think your family would be...disappointed."

His threat, a chilling reminder of her humble beginnings, the life she'd so

desperately tried to escape, was more terrifying than Ethan's physical assault.

She thrashed against his grip, her lungs screaming for air, her carefully constructed world crumbling around her.

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< (Finding Forever After....

Wen

"No!" she gasped, her voice a strangled cry. Please! Don't don't sell them

I'll tell you everything! Jus.... let me go."*

Ethan loosened his grip, his eyes cold, watchful Talk he growled Hannah coughed, her lungs burning, her eyes wide with ton. My phone"

she choked out, her voice raspy. Everything's everything's on my phone just don't tell my family."

She fumbled for her phone, her fingers trembling as she attacked the scree a desperate hope flickering in her chest. She'd been careful to delene the incriminating messages, the texts that revealed her true mentions, her carefully orchestrated campaign to drive a wedge between Violet and the men who loved

her.

Aiden didn't even bother to take the phone. One look at her panicked expression, the desperate plea in her eyes, was enough to confirm his suspicions. "Ethan," he said, his voice dangerously calm, call your tech guy. Tell himno

retrieve everything. Every deleted text, every email every photo. I want it all"

Hannah lunged for Ethan, her nails digging into his arm, her voice a desperate wail "No! Please! Don't!"

But it was too late. The truth was about to come out