Part 30 – Anger's Fire
The rooftop air was heavy even after the music softened. People were still buzzing about Ethan's public kiss with Anna, their whispers weaving through the laughter. But for Anna, everything was silent except the pounding in her chest.
She shoved Ethan's hands off her face, her cheeks burning—not from his kiss, but from humiliation. "What was that, Ethan?!" she hissed, voice sharp and trembling.
"What do you mean?" Ethan's jaw clenched, his tone defensive. "I saw your face. You were about to cry. I had to show you—show everyone—that you're mine."
"You had to show me?" Anna's voice cracked. "By kissing her back first? By letting her touch you? Do you even realize how much that—" Her throat closed, the words dissolving into anger and shame.
Ethan reached for her wrist. "Anna, listen—"
"No!" She yanked free. "You embarrassed me, Ethan. In front of everyone!"
Her voice shook, but her anger gave it strength. For the first time, she didn't sound like a girl scared of him—she sounded like a girl furious enough to break.
The crowd sensed the tension, some drawing closer, others pretending not to stare. Nick, standing at the edge, gripped his drink so tightly the glass almost cracked. His eyes stayed locked on Anna, but he didn't move in. This wasn't his fight—yet.
Anna's chest heaved. Her emotions tangled—pain, jealousy, humiliation. And before she could think, before she could stop herself, she spun toward the nearest stranger—a boy she didn't even know, standing by the bar.
Without hesitation, she grabbed his shirt collar and pressed her lips to his.
Gasps echoed instantly. The boy froze in shock, his hands lifted in the air. It lasted only seconds, but it was enough. Enough to silence the music. Enough to send Ethan's blood boiling. Enough to make Nick's jaw tighten.
When Anna pulled back, her lips trembled. She hadn't kissed out of desire. She'd kissed out of rage—out of hurt. To prove to Ethan how betrayal felt.
Ethan's face darkened. He stormed forward, his voice low but dangerous. "What the hell was that, Anna?"
She glared at him, eyes blazing even through her tears. "The same thing you did. Except I didn't enjoy it."
The crowd erupted again—some whispering in shock, others trying to pretend it was just drama. The boy Anna had kissed stepped back quickly, muttering, "I didn't—she—" before slipping away.
Nick finally set his glass down and walked off toward the exit, his expression unreadable. For him, the night was done. Watching Anna's pain and Ethan's temper only confirmed what he feared—this wasn't love. It was war.
Anna stood frozen, her heart pounding in her ears. Ethan's eyes locked on her, dark and furious, but also burning with something deeper—something desperate.
"You think this is a game?" he growled. "You think you can play with me like that?"
Her tears slid down, but her voice didn't falter. "No, Ethan. You started the game."
And with that, she turned away, leaving him to stare after her, fists clenched, torn between anger and the fear of losing the only girl he'd ever truly loved.
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