CHAPTER 97
CHAPTER 97
ARIANA’S POV
The kiss caught me off guard.
For a split second, I didn’t move. I didn’t even think. My world stilled as Ethan’s lips brushed mine—soft, desperate, and full of questions neither of us dared to ask out loud.
I should have pulled away. I should have remembered where we were, what he’d been through, what lines we’d drawn between us. But instead, I froze, caught between shock and something deeper I couldn’t name.
When I finally broke the kiss, my breath came uneven, my thoughts scattered. The air in the hospital room felt too thin, too charged.
We looked at each other in silence. His eyes were clouded but searching, and I could see the same conflict mirrored in them that was twisting through me.
“I’m sorry,” he said finally, voice rough. He shifted against the pillows, trying to sit upright. “I don’t know what came over me.”
I swallowed hard. “No, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have leaned in that close. I was just trying to comfort you, I didn’t mean…”
We both trailed off, knowing it wasn’t true.
That kiss hadn’t been an accident. It had been building for weeks—in every glance that lingered too long, every argument that ended too softly, every unspoken emotion hanging between us.
But neither of us was ready to admit it. Not out loud.
“Let’s just pretend it didn’t happen,” Ethan said, forcing a faint smile. “We can’t afford to let things get… complicated.”
“Right,” I said quickly, though the word stung. “We’re too close to fixing things now. This—whatever it was—shouldn’t derail that.”
He nodded, running a hand through his hair. “Exactly. We focus on the work. You’re going back on air soon. I want to see you win this.”
“You’ve done so much for me,” I said quietly. “I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
“You don’t need to,” he replied. “Seeing you get your life back is enough.”
The conversation should have ended there. It was the logical place to stop. But I caught the tension in his shoulders, the flicker of discomfort behind his forced calm. Something wasn’t right.
“What did the doctor say, Ethan?”
He hesitated. “Nothing serious. Just some tests, medication, and I’ll be fine.”
I frowned. “You don’t sound fine. You’re breathing like you’re trying to calm yourself down.”
He smiled faintly, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Deep breaths help. That’s all.”
I wanted to believe him. But I could tell he was lying. Or at least, hiding something.
“Alright,” I said softly. “Then I’ll let you rest. I’ve got prep to do for the show anyway.”
His head snapped up a little too quickly. “You’re leaving?”
I nodded. “You need space. And rest. I’ll be at the studio with Sabela.”
He paused, as if trying to find a reason to keep me there. But he didn’t. “Okay. I’ll see you at home later.”
I smiled faintly, trying to steady my heartbeat. “Come home soon.”
“I will.”
I forced myself to walk to the door. My steps were steady, but my heart was in chaos. That kiss had changed something between us, whether we admitted it or not.
And I wasn’t sure if I was ready for what came next.
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ETHAN’S POV
The moment Ariana left, the room felt colder. I stared at the door long after it closed, wondering what would’ve happened if I’d stopped her. If I’d told her the truth.
That I didn’t regret the kiss.
That it scared me how much I wanted more.
I let out a frustrated sigh and leaned back, pressing a hand to my forehead. I’d faced boardroom wars, addiction, betrayal—but none of it rattled me the way Ariana did.
“You look better,” Dr. Meyers said as he walked in, clipboard in hand. He had that knowing look that made it hard to hide anything. “Must be the company you’re keeping.”
I couldn’t help a small smile. “She’s… something else.”
“Something else, or someone you care about more than you admit?” he asked dryly.
I didn’t answer.
Dr. Meyers didn’t push it. Instead, he flipped through his notes. “I’ve been going over your tests again. I think you might be telling the truth.”
I looked up sharply. “About what?”
“About not taking the sedatives yourself.” He sighed. “I found traces of the same compound in your water bottle. Whoever’s been slipping it to you knows your routine well.”
A chill ran through me. “So someone’s drugging me on purpose.”
“It looks that way,” he said. “I’ll need to visit your house. Check the pantry, the bottles, anything that could be tampered with.”
I tried to think through the fog in my head. Who could’ve done this? My inner circle was small. Michael was loyal. Sabela didn’t have access to my office. Benjamin wouldn’t risk it—he owed me too much.
Unless someone else had found a way in.
“Ethan,” Dr. Meyers said, breaking my thoughts. “Be careful. Whoever’s behind this wants you disoriented. Vulnerable.”
I nodded slowly. “You think it’s connected to the show?”
“Could be,” he said. “You’re stepping back into the spotlight. That comes with enemies.”
My jaw tightened. “Then I’ll find out who they are.”
He scribbled something on his chart before heading to the door. “Get some rest. I’ll run another test before I clear you for discharge.”
When he left, I sat in silence, staring at the faint reflection in the glass. Ariana’s kiss still lingered on my lips, haunting and electric. It had been wrong, maybe reckless, but it had reminded me of something I’d long buried.
Hope.
I picked up my phone and scrolled to her contact. I typed a message, then deleted it. Twice.
Finally, I wrote: Be careful. Someone’s been targeting me. Don’t trust anyone until we talk.
My thumb hovered over send. I hesitated. I didn’t want to scare her. But she deserved to know.
I pressed send.
Then I set the phone down and stared at the ceiling, the weight of everything pressing on my chest.
Whoever was behind this had made a mistake.
Because now, they’d given me a reason to fight back.