Chapter 19: Chapter 19
805 words<html><head></head><body><p>The alarm stopped.</p> <p>The lights came back on.</p> <p>The area was empty except for her.</p> <p>The map on the wall glowed faintly.</p> <p>She followed the direction of the arrows.</p> <p>Noisy voices came from the distance.</p> <p>The exit seemed to be blocked.</p> <p>Sophia Sullivan hesitated and stopped.</p> <p>A crowd suddenly surged from behind.</p> <p>She was pushed toward the wall by the crowd.</p> <p>Someone stepped on her foot.</p> <p>She crashed into the uneven wall.</p> <p>Her chest ached from the impact.</p> <p>She couldn't help but gasp.</p> <p>She suddenly felt someone's gaze.</p> <p>She looked up.</p> <p>Her eyes met Ethan Roscente's.</p> <p>He looked at her disheveled state, his expression complex.</p> <p>So it was really her.</p> <p>That call of "Clara" wasn't an illusion.</p> <p>But she actually had the leisure to play in a haunted house.</p> <p>She seemed quite happy after the breakup.</p> <p>Isabella Langley nervously grabbed Ethan's arm.</p> <p>Her gaze toward Sophia was defensive.</p> <p>Sophia lowered her eyes, not wanting to engage.</p> <p>She turned to push through the crowd and leave.</p> <p>The lights flickered on and off.</p> <p>Someone suddenly screamed.</p> <p>A suspended wooden sword swayed precariously.</p> <p>It was aimed directly at Sophia's head.</p> <p>"Watch out!"</p> <p>Ethan didn't think. He shook off Isabella.</p> <p>He pushed through the crowd and rushed over.</p> <p>He pulled Sophia into a safe corner.</p> <p>With a loud clang.</p> <p>The wooden sword hit the ground.</p> <p>It was actually iron, painted to look like wood.</p> <p>If that had hit someone...</p> <p>Sophia gasped in delayed fear.</p> <p>She then noticed Ethan was still holding her hand.</p> <p>She immediately pulled away.</p> <p>She leaned against the wall and stood up.</p> <p>"Thank you."</p> <p>Ethan's eyes darkened at her distant expression.</p> <p>"Nothing else to say besides thank you?"</p> <p>Sophia looked at him, puzzled.</p> <p>What else was there to say between them?</p> <p>"Why did you block me?"</p> <p>Ethan stepped closer, his voice low.</p> <p>Sophia was a little surprised.</p> <p>During past arguments, she was always the first to unblock him.</p> <p>But this time...</p> <p>She curved her lips slightly.</p> <p>"It's normal to delete an ex after a breakup."</p> <p>Ethan frowned.</p> <p>"When will you add me back?"</p> <p>Sophia's eyelashes fluttered.</p> <p>"I won't."</p> <p>Ethan looked at her irritably.</p> <p>"How long are you going to stay angry?"</p> <p>Sophia smiled sarcastically.</p> <p>The crowd surged again, separating them.</p> <p>He tried to grab Sophia's hand.</p> <p>But Isabella wrapped her arm around his.</p> <p>Isabella watched the scene with jealousy.</p> <p>She squeezed next to Ethan and held him tightly.</p> <p>"Baby, let's get out of here. It's so dark."</p> <p>"I almost fell earlier. I was so scared."</p> <p>"Don't leave me, okay..."</p> <p>Her voice trembled, sounding pitiful.</p> <p>Staff maintained order at the entrance.</p> <p>"The malfunction has been resolved. Please evacuate in an orderly manner."</p> <p>The chaos quickly subsided.</p> <p>Sophia walked out without looking back.</p> <p>Ethan pulled his arm free and followed.</p> <p>Isabella gritted her teeth and chased after him.</p> <p>"Ethan, wait for me—"</p> <p>Olivia Lopez was already waiting at the ticket checkpoint.</p> <p>She heard there was a malfunction inside that almost caused a fire.</p> <p>She was anxious and wanted to rush in to find someone.</p> <p>Fortunately, Sophia came out safely.</p> <p>Olivia hurried forward.</p> <p>"Are you hurt? You scared me to death."</p> <p>"I'm fine. Let's go. I'm tired."</p> <p>Olivia nodded and was about to leave.</p> <p>She suddenly saw Ethan and Isabella coming out.</p> <p>"What bad luck. How do we run into them everywhere?"</p> <p>Sophia glanced over indifferently.</p> <p>"Just a coincidence. Let's go."</p> <p>On the way back, Olivia grew angrier the more she thought about it.</p> <p>She suddenly made a U-turn at an intersection.</p> <p>Sophia was stunned.</p> <p>"Aren't we going home?"</p> <p>"No. I'm taking you to see the world."</p> <p>"There are plenty of men. He's not the only one."</p> <p>Sophia was confused.</p> <p>At eight PM, the bar was noisy.</p> <p>The smell of smoke mixed with perfume hit her.</p> <p>The lights were dim, and figures moved through the crowd.</p> <p>Sophia's casual outfit stood out.</p> <p>A female singer sang a sentimental English song.</p> <p>Olivia pulled her to a private booth upstairs.</p> <p>She ordered whiskey and cocktails.</p> <p>Sophia's face flushed after just a little alcohol.</p> <p>Her cheeks felt warm.</p> <p>"I'm going to the restroom."</p> <p>Olivia waved her hand. "Hurry back."</p> <p>Outside the restroom, she ran into Sebastian Evans.</p> <p>Among Ethan's friends, she was only close with Charlie Lowell.</p> <p>So she nodded politely.</p> <p>"What a coincidence."</p> <p>Sebastian seemed surprised.</p> <p>"Alone?"</p> <p>"With a friend."</p> <p>"Ethan?"</p> <p>Sophia's smile faded.</p> <p>"No. I have to go."</p> <p>"Clara." Sebastian stopped her.</p> <p>The nickname made her uncomfortable.</p> <p>"Yes?"</p> <p>"Did you really break up this time?"</p> <p>"Are there fake breakups?"</p> <p>Sebastian's gaze was deep.</p> <p>"I see."</p> <p>Sophia turned and left.</p> <p>He raised his phone and took a photo of her back.</p> <p>He opened the group chat and sent the photo.</p> <p>"Look who I ran into."</p> <p>Charlie replied instantly.</p> <p>"Sophia? Really?"</p> <p>Julian Winston asked.</p> <p>"At a bar?"</p> <p>Charlie added.</p> <p>"That bar we always go to."</p> <p>Sebastian tagged him.</p> <p>"Not saying anything? @Ethan Roscente"</p> </body></html>