Ava's mother gets married again, and she finds herself living under the same roof as Ethan Thompson-most handsome boy in his school and son of the wealthiest millionaire in town-who is now her stepfather. What begins as an uncomfortable adjustment turns out to be more complicated when she realizes feelings toward him are more than just familial; the chemistry between them is undeniable, but with their parents happily married and with their new family bond at stake, both are torn between coining what's right and following their heart. As the moments of tender connection escalate, all small, into something far more intimate-a touch or a lingering glance. It is then that Ava's mother remarries, putting her under one roof with Ethan Thompson, the hottest boy at his school and the son of the wealthiest millionaire in town-her new stepdad. It's an uncomfortable adjustment that begins to get much more complicated when feelings toward him are realized to be more than sibling-like in origin. The sparks between them are undeniable, but their parents' happy marriage and their bond as a new family hang in the balance, leaving each person to be torn between coining what's right and following their heart. With more time devoted to each other, small moments of connection deepen into something much more intimate: a touch, a lingering glance, a secret they can't share with anyone else. Weighted with the expectation of family, they understand it could shatter everything. Skirting that line between love and family, Ava and Ethan must decide. Will they be able to embrace their forbidden love or give up their happiness for the people they care about? Meanwhile, Ava's best friend Leah gives another layer to the story. Her vibrant, apparently carefree personality hides secrets of its own, and as Ava confides in her about her complicated feelings for Ethan, Leah begins to act strangely. Or can she be hiding something really important? When all these secrets come into the open, the relationship between Ava and Ethan faces one final test. Secrets begin to unwind: about Ethan's mother and the real reason for her disappearance. The family is immediately in turmoil, and Ava finds herself in a web of deceit and mystery threatening to rip the whole family apart. As the stakes mount, Ava must choose between walking away from the only person who has made her feel alive or risk it all-including the fragile new family she's just become a part of-for love that may be doomed from its inception.
Chapter 1 New Begining
CHAPTER ONE.
NEW BEGINNING
The hum of the moving truck's engine finally called off and silence settled over the quiet suburban neighborhood. Ava stood in the path in front of the house that was supposed to be her new home, but it felt anything but that. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared up at the gorgeous giant house. Painted bright navy blue, the shutters almost glowed in the dim light of evening, and the flowers lining the walk were painstakingly tended. A perfect house, for a perfect family-except that she didn't feel like a part of such a family."
"Welcome home, honey," her mother's voice was soft, bubbling with excitement, and she stepped up beside her, nudging her gently with her shoulder.
" I know it is a big change., but give it time, Ava smiled and nodded, even though her chest tightened. Give it time. She wasn't sure time would make it easier. Her mom had remarried after years of being single and now they were moving with her new stepfather Mr Thompson and that meant living with him and the stepfather.
The sound of footsteps, heavier than her moans behind her, broke into her thought.
"you must be Ava". It's great finally having you here,Mr Thompson said warmly extending a hand. She shook it politely, trying to match his enthusiasm but her attention was already wandering, thanks Mr Thompson. Its nice............ nice to be here she managed, her eyes darting towards the front door. And there he stood, leaning against the door frame, arms crossed over his chest, watching her. Ethan Thompson. His brown hair was messy, haphazardly tangled, as if he hadn't bothered this morning to do anything with it. His green hazel eyes were examining her with such intensity that she didn't know how to feel about it. She had met him but briefly before the wedding, and even then he gave her that exact same look-as if he were trying to figure her out. It unsettled her. Their gaze held a second longer than she planned, and she looked sharply away, her cheeks heating as she detested how, even now, she was hyper-aware of him. He hadn't said a word yet, and already she felt like crowing in awkwardness. He must think she was some quiet, boring girl invading his space. Hey", he said finally, his voice low but casual. "Hey", she replied, clenching onto her bag a bit tighter, wished she had something to say, but really, what was there for her to say, hmmmm nice house, nice to meet you again? This just wasn't the time for all this-forced togetherness. Her mum didn't pick up on the unease and clapped her hands together; well, let's get your things inside-you've got the room at the end of the hall, right next to Ethan, she beamed, like she had just announced the best news in the world. Ava forced another smile, wincing on the inside-of course their rooms would be next to each other. How was she going to live like this, sharing the same hall, hearing him come and go, knowing he was only one door away? She could almost feel the awkwardness of accidental run-ins, moments of silence where they didn't know what to say to each other. She stepped inside the house and immediately was hit with the scent of a fresh, new-smelling room; everything looked new. Mr Thompson had clearly gone out of his way to make the house welcoming to me and mum, and she could appreciate that, yet it simply was not her home. As she mounted the stairs to her room, she could feel Ethan trailing at her back; she quickened her pace, desperate to put space between them. But when she turned into her room, he stopped at his door and leaned against the frame again, "need any help unpacking" ? He offered, though there was a trace of amusement in his voice-like he knew she wouldn't accept. She wriggled her hand free quickly, "No thanks, I am good". "suit yourself", he gave a half shrug disappearing into his room and shutting his door behind him. She exhaled a breath that she hadn't known that she was holding and turned to her new room.
It was nice - spacious with a window that overlooked the backyard. She couldn't enjoy it yet, not with everything else weighing in her mind-the walls felt too bare, too unfamiliar; her clothes, still packed away in boxes, out of places. She hadn't realized how much her old room had been a comfort until now. Sitting on the bed edge, she stared at the unopened boxes, trying to summon the energy to unpack. Trying to summon the energy to unpack. Her mind kept returning to Ethan, the manner in which he had looked at her, his easy confidence as he carried this like it wasn't a big deal. Perhaps for him, it wasn't-he was accustomed to this house, this life; she was the outsider. A soft knock on the doorframe made her jump; her mum stood there leaning against the door with a kind smile. "I know this is hard, but give it a chance, okay?" she said softly. Mr. Thompson is a good man, and Ethan.......... well, he can be a little tough, rough around the edges, but he is a good kid; you will get along. Ava forced a nod, not trusting herself to speak without her voice breaking, "yeah I'm sure". When her mom finally had left, Ava lay back on the bed staring up at the ceiling-it all just felt too much: new house, new family, new life, new everything and now Ethan. She hated how much he occupied her thoughts already, how her heart raced just from standing near her. It was just awkwardness, she told herself; it would pass. But deep inside, she was not quite so sure, because something in him made her believe this was only the beginning.
Chapter 1 New Begining
28/10/2024
Chapter 2 Unconditional Proximity
28/10/2024
Chapter 3 Uncomfortable
28/10/2024
Chapter 4 Secret Revealed
28/10/2024
Chapter 5 A growing spark
28/10/2024
Chapter 6 A moment between us
28/10/2024
Chapter 7 Between fear and longing
28/10/2024
Chapter 8 Blurring Boundaries
28/10/2024
Chapter 9 In the shadow of secrets
28/10/2024
Chapter 10 Torn between two worlds
28/10/2024
Chapter 11 Threads Unraveling
28/10/2024
Chapter 12 The Rival
31/10/2024
Chapter 13 Blurred Boundaries
31/10/2024
Chapter 14 Hidden Flames
31/10/2024
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