The Unraveled Vows Things Get Worse

As they lay together that night, Ethan couldn’t help but wonder how long he could maintain the facade. He knew a reckoning was coming, but he pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the woman beside him and the fleeting moments of happiness they shared.

{CONTINUE}

~~~CHAPTER 8~~~ [ DAVID NOTICES ETHAN'S CHANGED BEHAVIOUR ]

David, Ethan's close friend started to notice subtle changes in Ethan's behavior. He'd seen Ethan distracted during meetings, his mind seemingly elsewhere. It was unlike Ethan, who was usually sharp, focused, and always in control. David couldn't shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong.

One afternoon, after a particularly disjointed meeting where Ethan had fumbled through his presentation, David decided it was time to address his concerns. He waited until the other colleagues had left the room and then approached Ethan.

David Reynolds

"Ethan, can I have a word?"

David asked, his voice low but firm.

Ethan glanced up, his eyes betraying a hint of weariness.

Ethan Montgomery

"Sure, David. What's up?"

David shut the door behind them, ensuring they had privacy.

David Reynolds

"Look, man, is everything okay? You've been acting differently lately. You seem distracted, and honestly, you don't seem like yourself."

Ethan forced a smile, trying to brush off David’s concern.

Ethan Montgomery

"It's just a lot on my plate, David. Work has been hectic, and there are some big projects coming up."

David studied his friend, not entirely convinced.

David Reynolds

"We've all got a lot on our plates, but this isn't like you. If you ever need to talk, I'm here. Don't keep everything bottled up."

Ethan appreciated David's concern but knew he couldn't share the real reason for his behavior.

Ethan Montgomery

"Thanks, David. I'll be fine. I just need to get through this busy period."

David nodded, but the worry in his eyes didn't dissipate.

David Reynolds

"Alright. Just know I'm here if you need anything."

As David left the room, Ethan felt a pang of guilt. His secret life with Maya was starting to seep into his professional world, and he knew it was only a matter of time before the walls closed in on him.

Later that evening, Ethan arrived home to find Rachel in the kitchen, looking pale and holding her stomach.

Ethan Montgomery

"Rachel, are you okay?"

Ethan asked, rushing to her side.

Rachel gave him a weak smile.

Rachel Montgomery

"I don't know, Ethan. I've been feeling nauseous all day. I thought it might be something I ate, but it's not going away."

Ethan's concern deepened.

Ethan Montgomery

"Have you taken anything for it? Maybe you should see a doctor."

Rachel shook her head.

Rachel Montgomery

"I took some medicine, but it hasn't helped much. Maybe it’s just a bug or something."

Ethan wrapped his arms around her, feeling the familiar sense of love and protectiveness.

Ethan Montgomery

"Let's see how you feel in the morning. If it doesn't get better, we're going to the doctor."

Rachel leaned into him, appreciating his concern.

Rachel Montgomery

"Okay, Ethan. Thank you."

They spent the rest of the evening quietly, with Ethan doing his best to take care of Rachel. The guilt of his affair weighed heavily on him as he watched her suffer, knowing he was partly responsible for the stress she was undoubtedly feeling.

NEXT DAY

MORNING

David approached Ethan again.

David Reynolds

"How’s Rachel doing? You mentioned she wasn’t feeling well."

Ethan sighed, feeling the weight of his lies pressing down on him.

Ethan Montgomery

"She's still not great. I'm worried about her."

David gave him a sympathetic look.

David Reynolds

"Family comes first, Ethan. Make sure you're there for her."

Ethan nodded, appreciating the advice but knowing he was already failing in that regard.

Ethan Montgomery

"Thanks, David. I will."

As the days passed, Ethan tried to juggle his responsibilities at work, his time with Rachel, and his secret meetings with Maya. It was a delicate balance, and he felt like he was constantly on the verge of dropping everything.

One evening, after another late-night session at Maya's apartment, Ethan drove home feeling the familiar mix of exhilaration and dread. As he walked through the front door, he found Rachel sitting on the couch, looking thoughtful.

Ethan Montgomery

"Hey"

He said, trying to sound casual.

Rachel Montgomery

"How are you feeling?"

Rachel looked up, her eyes searching his face.

Rachel Montgomery

"Better, I think. But Ethan, I've been thinking... you've been working so much lately. Is everything okay?"

Ethan's heart skipped a beat. He forced a smile, moving to sit beside her.

Ethan Montgomery

"Just a lot of work. I promise, once this project is done, things will calm down."

Rachel nodded, but the doubt in her eyes was evident.

Rachel Montgomery

"I trust you, Ethan. But I can't help but worry."

Ethan pulled her close, kissing the top of her head.

Ethan Montgomery

"I know, and I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you, I promise."

That night, as Ethan slept beside her, Rachel lay awake, staring at the ceiling.

Rachel Montgomery

[ I didn't get good vibes, Why I feel that Ethan is making distance from me]

A few days later, David caught Ethan alone in the break room.

David Reynolds

"Ethan, I've been thinking. You've been working late a lot, and Rachel's not feeling well... are you sure everything's okay?"

Ethan took a deep breath, knowing he couldn't keep deflecting forever.

Ethan Montgomery

"Honestly, David, things have been tough. I can't get into it, but it's been hard balancing everything."

David's concern deepened.

David Reynolds

"You don't have to go through this alone, you know. We’ve been friends for a long time. If there's anything I can do to help, just say the word."

Ethan appreciated David's offer, but he knew this was something he had to handle on his own.

Ethan Montgomery

"Thanks, David. I just need to sort some things out."

David nodded, clapping a hand on Ethan's shoulder.

David Reynolds

"Alright. Just remember, I'm here."

That evening, Ethan drove to Maya’s apartment once again, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions. When he arrived, Maya greeted him with a smile, but she quickly noticed the tension in his face.

Maya Fernandez

"Ethan, what's wrong?"

She asked, leading him inside.

Ethan sighed, sinking into the couch.

Ethan Montgomery

"Everything's catching up with me, Maya. The lies, the secrets... it's all too much."

Maya sat beside him, taking his hand in hers.

Maya Fernandez

"We can figure this out, Ethan. We can make it work."

Ethan looked at her, his heart aching.

Ethan Montgomery

"I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. Rachel's starting to suspect something, and David's been asking questions too."

Maya leaned in, kissing him softly.

Maya Fernandez

"We'll find a way. I believe in us."

Ethan returned her kiss, but his mind was far from at ease. As they spent the evening together, the weight of his double life grew heavier. He knew a breaking point was coming, but he couldn't bring himself to face it just yet.

MEANWHILE,

Rachel's health seemed to be getting worse. As she tried to prepare Ethan's fav dinner, she felt a wave of nausea wash over her. She rushed to the bathroom and vomited violently. This had happened several times over the past few days, but tonight it was worse. She felt dizzy and weak.

She reached for her phone and called Ethan, hoping he would come home and take care of her. The phone rang and rang, but there was no answer. She tried again, but still, there was no response.

Ethan was at Maya's apartment, completely absorbed in their time together.

They were sharing a bottle of wine, and laughing about something trivial when Maya noticed his phone buzzing on the table and it's on vibrate mode.

She cuts the call without his knowing

Ethan Montgomery

" Maya "

She looked at him with a jolt

Maya Fernandez

"Yes"

Ethan Montgomery

"What happened? Are you okay?"

Maya Fernandez

"What happened to me? I'm perfectly fine."

She said while leaning in closer to kiss him.

Maya Fernandez

"Let's not worry about anything tonight,"

She whispered.

Ethan nodded, trying to lose himself at the moment.

BACK AT HOME

Rachel was feeling desperate. She dialed Ethan's number again, her hands shaking.

Rachel Montgomery

"Ethan, please answer"

She muttered to herself, tears streaming down her face.

Rachel Montgomery

"I need you."

After the third attempt with no answer, Rachel gave up and lay down on the couch, clutching her phone. She felt utterly alone and scared.

NEXT MORNING

The next morning, Ethan woke up at Maya's apartment with a heavy heart. He glanced at his phone and saw the missed calls from Rachel. Panic set in as he realized how many times she had tried to reach him. He quickly got dressed and made his way home, his mind racing with excuses and explanations.

When he walked through the door, he found Rachel sitting on the couch, looking pale and exhausted.

Ethan Montgomery

"Rachel, I'm so sorry. I had my phone on silent. I didn't see your calls until this morning,"

He was trying to hide his guilt.

Rachel looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears.

Rachel Montgomery

"Ethan, I needed you. I was so sick last night, and you weren't here. What's happening to us?"

Ethan knelt beside her, taking her hand in his.

Ethan Montgomery

"I'm here now, Rachel. I'm so sorry. Let's get you to a doctor and find out what's going on."

As they headed to the doctor, Ethan's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. He knew he had to find a way to make things right, but the path ahead seemed more complicated than ever. The walls were closing in, and the reality of his actions was starting to hit him harder than ever.

To be continued

Author[Noor]

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