Chapter 5 Chapter 5 The next second , a voice I knew too well came through the phone . Thankfully , the team handling my plan was right beside me . Their service was thorough unsurprising , given the price tag . They had assured me the job wouldnt be marked as complete until I was safely out of the country and untraceable . Panicking , I quickly whispered the situation to the man beside me and handed him the phone . reacted immediately , the kind of calm efficiency that only comes with experience . After a brief pause , he spoke into the phone with practiced ease : Hello ? Is this the owner of 1205 ? Im your neighbor . Your house is on fire badly . The flames are spreading fast , and while Ive already called the fire department , they havent arrived yet . This phone fell out of a window , and it sounds like someone inside is still trying to call for help . If you know them , you read to get here increderety Before Ethan could respond , he hung up . Dont worry , he said to me , his tone reassuring . Hell be too busy dealing with the fire to suspect anything . I nodded , but the knot in my stomach refused to loosen Are you sure this staged death plan is foolproof ? What if the fire isnt strong enough to destroy the evidence- * He interrupted with a light chuckle . Sullivan , I promise , this isnt our first rodeo . Weve handled plenty of cases just like yours most of our clients are women , actually , with eerily similar stories . As long as you followed the instructions to set the fire, theres no chance of anything being left behind . I calculated the structures location and the time it would take for rescue teams to arrive . By the time they get there , the place will be nothing but ashes . No one will doubt that you were lostin the flames . I managed a faint smile , though my heart felt heavier with each word . So many people , all running from the same kind of heartbreak . For years , I thought I was different . I thought I was lucky to have someone like Ethan a man who seemed so perfect . Now I see it for what it was : survivors bias . I wasnt special . I was just another face in a sea of broken dreams . Ethan had even chosen our house number based on my birthday , calling it our forever home . Now it was nothing more than my burial ground . Looking back , I realized his love had always been surface level Eight years together , and we had never truly connected . I didnt know him and , frankly , I never had to . Photos Lies and Fire Chapter 5 Once I boarded the plane , I sat quietly with the teams handler . Rows ahead of me , a group of young women , all studying abroad , chattered noisily . The plane hadnt even taken off , and their conversation was already buzzing with excitement . Im so bummed ! I wanted to see Ethan Woods wedding it was going to be epic . Ive shipped their relationship for years , and now I cant even watch it because stupid school starts tomorrow ! Same here ! My family owns the hotel he rented out , and I was so excited to see it all up close . Then the school announced last minute exams . Ugh , Im so pissed ! Dont worry . The livestreams going to be insane . Therell be so many camera angles , you could probably rewatch it for days ! When Ethans business took off , our love story became a sensation online . People couldnt stop talking about how we were the perfect couple how he had stayed loyal to his first love despite his fame and fortune . The anticipation for his proposal had been almost religious , with fans eagerly following every detail of his plans to pop the question . I guess theyll all be disappointed now . Choosing to die in the fire was my way of ending things with the same drama as our eight years together . It was the last shred of dignity I could offer this story . The plane finally took off , and the chatter ahead of me died down as the girls settled into their seats . I leaned back and closed my eyes , letting exhaustion take over . Midflight , the agent sitting next to me noticed I hadnt touched the food and pulled a sandwich out of his bag . Its nothing fancy , but itll keep you going . You should eat you look like youve lost a lot of weight over the past week . Even a stranger could see how much Id been through . And yet , the man who once vowed to love me forever hadnt noticed a thing . But thats how people are , isnt it ? Their hearts instinctively gravitate toward whoever matters most to them . For Ethan , that person was never me . Unbalanced love ? Im done with it . Title: A Sweet Contract with the Mafia Boss Author: CrushReel Genre: Romance, Sweet Romance, Modern, Romantic, Contract Lovers Status: ongoing In "A Sweet Contract with the Mafia Boss" by CrushReel, immerse yourself in a tale where Tessa, an ER nurse, unwittingly crosses paths with Victor, a captivating yet perilous gang leader. After Tessa saves Victor's life, she finds herself ensnared in his dangerous world. As their lives intertwine, Tessa becomes the target of Victor's intense focus. Despite the risks and uncertainties that come with being associated with a mafia boss, an unexpected bond starts to form between them. Will their unconventional relationship lead to love or peril? This modern romance novel delves into themes of danger, charm, and unlikely connections amidst a backdrop of contract lovers. With its unique blend of suspense and passion, "A Sweet Contract with the Mafia Boss" stands out as a captivating read in the realm of sweet romance narratives. Discover the allure of forbidden love and intricate relationships in this ongoing story available to read online at CrushReel. Engage with the compelling dynamics between Tessa and Victor as they navigate the complexities of their evolving connection.