Chapter 6: No Escape

I quickly put my hand down.

He took over for the saleslady and helped me zip up the back.

He teased, "Looks like I can’t make the food so delicious next time."

I played along, "Yeah, I almost couldn’t fit in."

Ethan chuckled, standing behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

In the mirror, Ethan’s tall figure completely enveloped me.

His gaze lingered on me.

"Maddie, do you know why I chose this one?"

"Why?"

The possessiveness in Ethan’s eyes slowly surfaced, and his arms around my waist tightened, almost pressing me into his embrace.

He looked at me in the mirror, a hint of madness in his eyes.

"You know what they say about mermaid dresses? Hard to run in. Guess you’ll have to stay put."

My heart skipped a beat.

Ethan’s hand moved forward, landing on my belly.

My body instantly stiffened.

Ethan lowered his head, his warm breath brushing my ear.

"Maddie, do you like it?"

I didn’t know how to answer.

My heart was pounding.

Did he know something?

Ethan couldn’t wait for my answer, nor did he seem to care.

He spoke to himself: "Do you remember when you first chased me, you said you liked me, fell in love with me at first sight, and wanted to be with me forever."

"Is that true, Maddie?"

Ethan pinched my chin, making me turn to look at him.

We looked into each other’s eyes.

He spoke slowly: "Then why do your eyes look so calm when you look at me?"

The soft buzz of the store, the distant sound of a car radio drifting in from the street, faded away. For a moment, it was just the two of us, caught in the reflection, secrets pressing in on all sides.

And for the first time, I wondered—was I trapping him, or was he trapping me?