The bar buzzed with soft music and low conversations, but at Ethan's corner table, tension hung thick in the air. He leaned back with a drink in hand, flanked by his two best friends, Irene and Ryan. His expression was unreadable, but the storm in his eyes told them everything.
"I still can't believe that witch pulled that on you," Irene snapped, crossing her arms. "She left you hanging like that?"
"Yeah, man. That's cold," Ryan added, shaking his head.
"I told you from the start I never liked her," Irene muttered as Ethan took a slow sip of his whiskey.
"No need to dwell on what Lily did," Ethan said calmly. "I'm already married."
Both friends froze.
"What?!" Irene and Ryan yelled in unison.
"Close your mouth," Irene shot at Ryan before whipping back to Ethan. "When did this happen? How? Who's the girl? And don't even think of skipping a single detail!"
Ethan smirked. "Which one should I answer first?"
"All of them!" she practically screamed. Ryan chuckled, nudging her lightly.
"It happened the same day Lily ditched the wedding. Her name's Sharon Moore."
Irene's face twisted. "Wait. Moore? As in the Moore family?"
Ethan raised a brow. "Why do you sound like that? Got history with them?"
"Oh, you have no idea," Irene said with a scoff. "Their family's a walking scandal."
Ryan leaned in. "Spill."
"Well," Irene began, flipping her hair back, "I'm sort of… familiar with her sisters, Shirley and Rose. Shirley's an actress and model. Rude, snobby, sleeps her way out of every scandal. She and Lily? Mortal enemies."
Ryan whistled.
"Then there's Rose. Fashion designer, yeah, she's talented. But she's got sugar daddies lined up like a collection. Rumor has it she's always involved with married men. Ruthless and manipulative."
Ethan arched an eyebrow. "And Madina?"
"Don't get me started," Irene groaned. "The worst of them all. Obnoxious and shameless. You might've just leapt from the frying pan straight into the fire, my friend."
Ryan gave a low whistle. "That's a lot of family drama."
"I'm glad you didn't end up with Lily," Irene said. "But I'm not sold on this new girl either."
"It is what it is," Ethan replied quietly.
"Has Lily reached out?" Ryan asked.
Ethan shook his head. "Not a word."
"Typical," Irene scoffed. "She's too busy bathing in the attention of being Ethan Lancaster's girlfriend. Wait till reality hits her like a truck when she finds out you're married."
Ryan chuckled. "I'd pay to see that."
Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly. "I need a favor, Irene."
"Shoot," she said, sipping her cocktail.
"I've been watching Sharon. She seems... alone. No friends. No one in her corner. I want you to be that person. Guide her, help her adjust to becoming a Lancaster."
A slow smile spread across Irene's face as she mock-saluted. "Yes, boss. Your wish is my command."
Ryan grinned. "Aren't you a loyal friend?"
"And you?" Irene turned to him sweetly. "Aren't you the most devoted husband?"
They leaned into each other with goofy smiles, lost in their little bubble.
Ethan looked away, downing his drink. He didn't remember when they started dating, or when it became something real. Somewhere between his business trips and long nights at the office, his best friends had fallen in love. Now, they were happily married. Something he'd dreamed of with Lily for seven years. But she was never ready.
Maybe Irene was right. Lily was more in love with the perks of being with a Lancaster than with him.
A heavy silence settled around him as his gaze lingered on the couple.
"Please, get a room," Ethan said, forcing a grin. "Let the singles breathe before you suffocate us."
Irene laughed. "Then go find your wife, lover boy."
Ryan added, "Before we call the paramedics."
Ethan stood abruptly. "You two are ridiculous. Go ahead and be annoyingly in love. I'm out of here."
"Come on, don't be like that!" Irene laughed as he walked away.
"Why's he so pained?" Ryan asked.
Irene shrugged, but her smile faded. "Because for the first time, I think he's afraid of falling... and getting hurt again."
SWEET TOOTH BAKERY – LATE EVENING
The kitchen smelled of cinnamon and warm vanilla. Sharon was hunched over the counter, mixing dough for the next day's batch of pastries. Flour dusted her cheeks, and a tired look haunted her eyes.
Maggie walked in quietly.
"What're you making?" she asked.
"Some pre-orders for tomorrow," Sharon replied without looking up. "I won't be around, so I need to get ahead."
Maggie nodded. "Okay. Let me help."
"No, it's fine. You've done so much already… especially since Mom passed. I'm grateful, Maggie."
"You don't need to thank me. Your mom would've done the same for me."
Sharon gave her a small, sincere smile. "Just close up the front. I'll lock up when I'm done."
Maggie turned to leave but hesitated at the door.
"Hey, Sharon?"
Sharon looked up.
"I know you're hurting. You don't have to pretend with me. I've got your back, okay?"
The door closed softly behind her, leaving Sharon in silence.
She dropped the rolling pin and slowly sank to the floor, hugging her knees to her chest. The tears she'd held back all day finally broke free. Her sobs echoed off the tiled walls.
She was alone.
She was tired.
She was drowning.
And just when she thought the day couldn't get any worse, her phone buzzed.
One message.
From an unknown number.
"You really thought marrying him would save your name? You're in for a rude awakening."
Sharon stared at the screen, her breath catching.
Her heart pounded.
She wasn't just being watched.
She was being targeted.