The Unraveled Vows Deception

[Ethan’s heart pounded in his chest. The threat was clear, and he knew he had to tread carefully. He couldn’t afford to lose Rachel, but giving in to Maya wasn’t an option either.]

( CONTINUE)

~ CHAPTER 16 : MAYA IN ETHAN'S MANSION ~

Ethan Montgomery

"What do you want, Maya? Is this about revenge? Are you trying to hurt me because I won’t be with you?"

Maya’s expression softened slightly, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her features before she masked it with her usual confidence.

Maya Fernandez

"I don’t want to hurt you, Ethan. I just want you to realize what we had was real. I want you to see that we could be happy together. But if you keep pushing me away... then yes, I’ll do whatever it takes to make you understand."

Ethan stared at her, torn between the anger boiling inside him and the fear of what she might do. He realized that no matter how much he tried to reason with her, Maya was set on getting what she wanted. And that left him with very few options.

The tension in the room was seeing, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. Finally, Ethan made a decision.

Ethan Montgomery

"Alright, Maya. We’ll talk. But this is the last time. After this, we’re done. Do you understand?"

Maya’s eyes lit up with a mix of triumph and satisfaction, a slow smile spreading across her lips.

Maya Fernandez

"I knew you’d see reason, Ethan. You won’t regret this."

But as she spoke, Ethan couldn’t shake the feeling that he was making a grave mistake. Yet, he knew he had to play along, at least for now, to protect his marriage and keep Rachel from discovering the truth.

As Maya leaned in, she gave Ethan a light peck on the cheek, her lips lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.

Maya Fernandez

"It's going to be night soon,"

She murmured, her voice sultry and persuasive.

Maya Fernandez

"Why don’t we go out for dinner? Better yet, why don’t we go to your house? You mentioned that your wife likes to entertain guests—why not tell Rachel that your project partner is coming over for dinner? It would be the perfect excuse."

Ethan's mind raced as he processed her words. He knew how dangerous it would be to bring Maya into his home, especially with the tension between them. But before he could fully formulate a response, he blurted out without thinking,

Ethan Montgomery

"Rachel's not home tonight."

Maya's eyes lit up at this unexpected revelation. Her lips curled into a smile that sent a shiver down Ethan's spine.

Maya Fernandez

"Is that so?"

She purred, her tone dripping with satisfaction.

Maya Fernandez

"Well, in that case, why don’t we just go to your place, Ethan? It’ll be private, and we won’t have to worry about running into anyone."

Ethan realized his mistake too late. He had just handed Maya the perfect opportunity to manipulate the situation to her advantage.

Ethan Montgomery

"No, Maya,"

He said quickly, trying to backtrack.

Ethan Montgomery

"I’m really not hungry, and I don’t think it’s a good idea."

But Maya was relentless. She pouted slightly, her voice taking on a pleading tone.

Maya Fernandez

"Oh, come on, Ethan. I’m starving. Just a quick bite, and then I’ll be out of your hair. I promise."

Ethan hesitated, torn between his instincts screaming at him to walk away and the knowledge that if he didn’t agree, she might cause a scene—something he couldn’t afford, not with everything at stake. He let out a resigned sigh.

Ethan Montgomery

"Alright,"

He conceded, feeling a deep sense of foreboding settle in his chest.

Ethan Montgomery

"We’ll go to my place."

A victorious gleam flashed in Maya’s eyes, but she quickly masked it with a grateful smile.

Maya Fernandez

"Thank you, Ethan. I knew you’d understand."

As they left the office and made their way to Ethan’s car, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was walking into a trap—one that he had unwittingly set for himself. The drive to his house was silent, with tension hanging in the air like a thick cloud. Maya seemed relaxed, content with her victory, while Ethan’s thoughts churned with anxiety.

When they arrived at the house, Ethan parked the car in the driveway and stared at the familiar facade, feeling a wave of guilt wash over him. This was supposed to be a sanctuary for him and Rachel—a place where they could rebuild their lives together. And yet, here he was, about to bring chaos into that fragile peace.

They entered the house, the quietness inside amplifying Ethan’s unease. Maya looked around, her gaze lingering on the tasteful decor.

Maya Fernandez

"Nice place"

She commented casually, as if she hadn’t been scheming to destroy everything it stood for.

Ethan didn’t respond, his mind too preoccupied with the gravity of what he had just done. He led her to the dining room, where the table was already set for a meal Rachel had planned to cook earlier in the day. The sight of it made Ethan’s stomach turn.

Maya, however, seemed completely at ease. She sauntered over to the table and took a seat, crossing her legs elegantly as she looked up at Ethan.

Maya Fernandez

"So, what’s for dinner?"

She asked with a playful grin.

Ethan’s jaw tightened.

Ethan Montgomery

"I’ll find something"

He muttered, heading to the kitchen. As he rummaged through the fridge and cupboards, his thoughts were in turmoil. How had things spiraled so out of control? How had he allowed Maya to gain such power over him?

When he returned to the dining room with a hastily prepared meal, Maya was already sipping a glass of wine she had poured herself. She looked up at him with a knowing smile.

Maya Fernandez

"You know, Ethan, it doesn’t have to be like this. We could have a good time together, just like old times."

Ethan set the plates down on the table, avoiding her gaze.

Ethan Montgomery

"This is just dinner, Maya. Nothing more."

Maya chuckled softly.

Maya Fernandez

"If you say so. But we both know there’s more between us than just dinner."

Ethan sat down across from her, his appetite completely gone. As they ate in silence, his mind raced with thoughts of how to extricate himself from the mess he was in. But deep down, he knew he had already made a critical error by bringing Maya into his home. The implications of this decision loomed over him like a dark cloud.

When they finished eating, Maya leaned back in her chair, her expression one of smug satisfaction.

Maya Fernandez

"That was lovely"

She said, her voice laced with underlying tension.

Maya Fernandez

"But I think the night is still young, don’t you?"

Ethan clenched his fists under the table, fighting to keep his composure.

Ethan Montgomery

"You should go, Maya. It’s late."

Maya tilted her head, her smile never wavering.

Maya Fernandez

"Or we could continue this conversation somewhere more comfortable. Your living room, perhaps?"

Ethan’s pulse quickened, knowing that he had already let things go too far. But before he could respond, Maya stood up and walked toward the living room, leaving him no choice but to follow. As she made herself comfortable on the sofa, Ethan felt the weight of his decision crushing him.

This was his house, his sanctuary, and yet it no longer felt like a safe space. Maya’s presence was a dark shadow, and Ethan knew that he had let her into not just his home, but into the very heart of his marriage. And now, he would have to face the consequences of that choice—whatever they might be.

Ethan stood by the doorway, his mind churning with the weight of his decisions. Maya was sitting comfortably on his sofa, swirling the wine in her glass as if she owned the place. Her presence felt like a dark cloud, hovering over everything that mattered to him.

Maya Fernandez

"Come sit with me, Ethan,"

Maya called out softly, patting the space beside her. There was a seductive tone in her voice, a dangerous lure that Ethan knew he had to resist. But the pull was strong—too strong.

He hesitated, his legs feeling like they were made of lead. Every instinct told him to walk away, to find some excuse to leave the room, the house, anything to escape the situation he had put himself in. But Maya’s eyes were on him, watching his every move with a knowing look that sent chills down his spine.

Finally, he forced himself to move, but instead of sitting beside her, he chose the armchair across the room. He needed distance—both physical and emotional. He couldn't afford to make another mistake.

Maya raised an eyebrow at his choice but didn't comment. Instead, she took a sip of her wine and sighed contentedly.

Maya Fernandez

"You know, Ethan, I was thinking about the old times. We used to have so much fun together, didn’t we?"

Ethan Montgomery

"Maya, those times are over. Whatever we have, it's in the past." ❄️

Maya Fernandez

"Is it really?"

She asked, her voice dripping with skepticism.

Maya Fernandez

"Because I don't think so. You wouldn’t have brought me here if you truly believed that."

He didn't have a response. He knew she was right in a way—he had made a grave mistake by bringing her here, and now he was trapped by his own actions. The silence between them grew heavy, filled with unspoken tension.

Maya leaned forward, her expression turning serious.

Maya Fernandez

"Ethan, you can’t keep running from this. From me. We have something special, and I know you feel it too."

Ethan shook his head, trying to clear the fog of confusion that had settled in.

Ethan Montgomery

"I don't want to talk about this anymore. You need to leave, Maya."

She ignored his request, standing up and moving closer to him.

Maya Fernandez

"Why are you fighting this, Ethan? You don’t have to choose. We can continue what we had—no one has to know."

Her words sent a shiver down his spine. This was exactly what he feared—Maya wasn’t just here for a visit. She wanted more, much more than he was willing to give. But her persistence was unnerving, and the way she stood over him made him feel cornered.

To be continued

Author[Noor]

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