Wish - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Ethan grabbed her wrist and pushed her away. “If you don’t want to be here, don’t ever come back.”

He stormed out, the pressure in his chest threatening to explode. He strode into the elevator, down to the lobby, and out to his car. The roar of the engine brought a sliver of sanity back. What was he doing?

Where was he going? He knew she wasn’t in DC. He knew she’d taken all her things from his apartment. He knew she was in Miami… He slammed his fist against the steering wheel, the horn blaring, shattering the quiet night.

His phone rang. He swiped to answer. His mother’s voice, calm and elegant, filled the car.

“Ethan, when are you coming to dinner? Bring Ashley with you.”

“Not likely.”

“What’s wrong?”

“We had a fight. She’s not talking to me. Blocked me, actually.”

His mother laughed. “I’ll call her then. What did you do to her this time? She seems really upset.”

Ethan fiddled with his lighter. “How would I know?”

After the call, he tossed the phone aside, then his gaze landed on Ashley’s necklace, the one she’d left behind. The diamond was small. Her birthday was in November. Soon. He’d buy her an 11.8–carat diamond ring. He’d go public.

He’d propose. David returned to the hotel room with bags in hand. I was wrapped in a blanket, sitting on the balcony, lost in thought. He handed me a drink.

“Best Hong Kong milk tea in town. Try it.”

“Thanks,” I murmured, taking the drink and glancing up at him. The Miami weather had turned, the rain cold and relentless. David had only been wearing a light jacket, his ears slightly pink from the chill. “You should have some too, warm up.”

“Sure.” He didn’t reach for the drinks. Instead, he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me, his lips brushing against my ear.

“Shouldn’t I be sharing your milk tea?”

I turned to protest, but he silenced me with a kiss, the sweetness of the milk tea lingering on our lips. The cup tumbled to the floor, spilling onto the carpet. Outside, the rain fell. Inside, a different kind of storm was brewing.

I avoided his gaze, the intensity in his eyes unnerving. He was usually so controlled, but now…

I hid my face against his shoulder.

“Ashley…” he chuckled, his voice husky, pulling me closer, his kisses growing softer. I saw our reflection in the glass doors, blurred and distorted.

Much later, after David had showered and I was leaning against the headboard, he came back and gently helped me into a bathrobe. As he dried my hair, a strand fell across my face. I reached up to tuck it behind my ear, but David’s hand was already there.

“Thanks,” I mumbled again.

He sighed. “Ashley, must you be so polite with me?”

I didn’t know how to answer. Despite what had just happened, it still felt surreal. The taste of milk tea lingered on my tongue, taking me back to a winter night years ago.

We’d been studying late, and the streets were dark and empty. David had happened to be passing by. “Hey, Ashley. Fancy meeting you here.”

He’d been wearing a dark coat, a rare smile on his face. He’d walked me home, and we shared a roasted sweet potato. It was snowing, the wind biting cold. He’d stood between me and the wind, our foreheads

brushing for a brief moment. Back then, I thought it was the start of something sweet. But fate had other ideas.

Now, years later, history was repeating itself, a cruel twist of fate. I felt like a coward, unable to let him see the shame and pain of my past.