The Vows of Vengeance

Lara woke with a groan, The light bleeding through the curtains hit her face too hard. Her head pounded like war drums and her mouth was dry like cotton, her wrist ached ans she winced and sat up slowly and then she saw him.

Sitting on the edge of the couch by the window was Ethan, his back was half turned to her arms resting on his knees and for a moment she thought she was dreaming.

He must've seen her move because he sat up straight rubbing the back of his neck then his eyes met hers.

"You're awake"

She stared for a second too long, probably trying to remember "Why are you in my house"

"You were drunk" he said calmly "You hurt yourself and I couldn't leave"

"You should have" she muttered reaching for the blanket to cover herself more.

He stood up and walked over, held out a glass of water and a pack of aspirin.

"I almost did" he stood slowly walked over and held something out "Here aspirin water and toast"

She blinked at it and frowned "No thanks"

He raised a brow "Still afraid of pills huh"

She stared at him

"I remember" he smiled a little "You used to break them in half and still squint before swallowing like it was poison"

"I wasn't afraid I just hated the taste"

He laughed once "You were terrified"

She rolled her eyes "Ethan"

"It'll help" he said softer "Just take it"

She hesitated then finally reached for the water, took the pills and chewed a piece of toast with a glare like he'd won something.

He watched her with quiet eyes, her wrist was bandaged neatly. She looked down at it slowly as if suddenly noticing. 

"You did this too"

"Yeah" he said "You were bleeding badly"

She was quiet again and chewing slower.

And then without warning a memory hit her,

A soft one though ......

She remembered Ethan sitting beside her in bed years ago rubbing her feet while she whined about cramps, feeding her soup with that same worried look on his face telling her she was stronger than she thought.

The lump in her throat formed too fast

"You didn't have to take care of me" she whispered

"I wanted to" He replied and noticed her expression.

"You okay" he asked voice quiet

She nodded slowly and that's when their gaze met, they stared deeply into each other's eyes and neither looked away.

He moved closer without realizing and she didn't stop him.

She felt his fingers brush the side of her cheek lightly like checking if she'd flinch but she didn't and his hand lingered.

"You look like you haven't slept in weeks" he said quietly

"You don't look any better" she whispered back

They were close too close that the air between them thin and hot and then it just happened. He leaned in slowly and she didn't stop him 

Their lips met slow and unsure but too familiar and too needed to pull away, It wasn't hunger, it was memory, comfort and ache.

He deepened the kiss4 just slightly and she responded with a small moan in her throat before she realized what was happening, her body jerked back.

She stood up too fast knocking the water off the tray, He stood too but she backed away.

 "You're married"

"Lara..."

"No" she cut him off walking to the bathroom "Don't"

He followed a few steps but she turned fast "Don't follow me Ethan Please Just go"

She stepped into the bathroom and shut the door hard behind her locking it.

Inside she leaned against the door her hands were shaking, Her lips still tingled and her chest ached worse than before.

Outside the door Ethan stood for a moment breathing slow staring at the wood like it could explain how the hell they still got here.

Then he picked up the tray with the fallen glass and cleaned up again quietly.

Lara pressed both palms against the sink trying to breathe trying not to cry again.

But it was already happening,Silent and messy tears rolling down her cheeks dropping into the basin.

She stared at herself in the mirror and didn't recognize the woman looking back

What the hell was she doing?

She kissed him.

She let him touch her like nothing happened, like he wasn't married to her sister, like he didn't shatter her entire world.

She wiped her face hard, sniffed back the pain but it didn't go anywhere it stayed curled up inside her chest twisting.

Ethan was still by the door, he hadn't move.

He wanted to say something but everything but it felt wrong, too loud, too selfish.

He leaned his head gently against the door

"Lara" his voice low quiet enough that only the space between them could hear "I'm sorry I shouldn't have kissed you not like that not now"

She didn't reply

"I just..." he paused hands sliding into his pockets "You looked at me like you used to and I lost it I miss you Lara more than I know how to explain"

She sat on the cold tiles now her knees pulled to her chest head pressed against the door too

"You don't get to miss me" she whispered but not loud enough for him to hear

Ethan stepped back finally gave her space

She hadn't locked the bathroom

He didn't go in, but he waited and waited.....Until the door finally creaked open.

Lara stepped out, her eyes swollen and her mouth tight

She didn't speak.

Just looked at him standing there in her room like he belonged like he didn't just rip her apart again

"Go" she whispered

He didn't argue

He nodded once and quietly walked out of her room and out of her home.

The door clicked behind him, she stood there staring at it her arms wrapped tight around herself

And for the first time in a long time she didn't feel powerful.

She felt broken all over again

Ethan stepped into his car, locking the door behind him. His phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw Maya's name flashing.

Where are you? Dad just flew in for the meeting Everyone's waiting, Don't forget.

He stared at the message for a moment before typing back: On my way.

He slipped the phone back into his pocket.