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Camila:
Amid my light banter with Anna, I felt those burning eyes fixed on me, unaware of their source. I lifted my gaze slowly, not expecting to find him.
Ethan.!
The space around us froze. The loud voices,
the clinking glasses,
the laughter—
all of it dissolved, leaving only our eyes locked together. Each of us was visibly curious about why the other was here.
Anna turned toward me, drawing Kevin's attention.
"Do you two know each other?"
I answered quickly, before he could even speak:
"A superficial acquaintance."
"Isn't that right, Detective Ethan?"
My fingers tapped lightly against the table, again and again.
The corner of his lips lifted in a subtle smile as he nodded.
"That's right. We've only crossed paths a few times."
I glanced at Anna—she didn't seem convinced, but she chose to shift the topic, easing the tension in the conversation.
I spoke the least. I shifted slightly in my seat; it didn't escape his notice.
I offered a polite smile as I straightened away from him. I didn't like making the first move against a detective in public.
My gaze landed on Mark Queens, the well-known businessman—also one of Kevin's acquaintances, whom I had met a few times before.
I picked up another glass and stood beside him, engaging in one of his political discussions.
Still better than sitting alone and giving someone the chance to maneuver around me.
A few flattering smiles, a sip of wine. Mark wasn't that bad—sometimes, his business mindset surprised me.
I glanced down at my drink, then lifted my eyes again.
You. Again.
Ethan.
I hadn't been mistaken. Those observant, scrutinizing looks had been on me from the very beginning.
I simply raised the glass to my lips, sipping calmly while following Mark's talk about one of his recent projects.
My eyes remained fixed—steady. Mark, as usual, spoke with enthusiasm, his free hand cutting through the air as he explained numbers like personal victories.
I nodded along, offering small smiles, appearing engaged—despite my mind not entirely being my own.
A shadow approached beside us. I didn't even bother to look until Mark stopped speaking, greeting him warmly:
"Good evening, Mark."
That deep voice didn't surprise my ears.
"Ethan. Haven't seen you in a while."
I raised my gaze as if confirming something I already knew, choosing only to observe the dynamic between them.
Their easy banter suggested they weren't strangers at all.
"I didn't expect to see a Hawthorne here either. I thought detectives, like lawyers, never had time."
Ethan smiled faintly.
"Even detectives need time to rest."
His gaze shifted toward me. I responded with a small smile, gently swirling my glass. My mind paused at one phrase:
Hawthorne.
Who are you, really?
I lifted my fingers to adjust a strand of my hair, raising a brow slightly—a small gesture, but he caught it immediately.
He slipped a hand into his pocket, his eyes fixed on me, mirroring the same raised brow.
"I didn't expect Miss Robinson to be here either."
I smiled faintly, lifting the glass again. Silence lingered for a moment, though our eyes never broke contact.
"It seems the world is smaller than I thought."
His expression remained unreadable. Mark resumed speaking, unaware of the unspoken tension hanging in the air.
Anna approached, smiling apologetically.
"Sorry, I need to steal her away for a moment."
Her insistence felt excessive.
I followed her until we reached a quieter spot, where the murmur of guests became nothing more than background noise.
She stopped in a dim corner—one of the back entrances, it seemed. Behind me stretched a long, isolated staircase; beside me, a balcony overlooking the garden.
My thoughts were cut short by Anna's serious tone—one I hadn't heard from her in a while.
"Your lies are getting worse, Doctor."
I frowned.
"I don't think I've been lying lately."
"Camila—"
She said my name impatiently, then continued:
"Didn't you tell me you were trying to get your patient out of a murder charge?"
I hummed, crossing my arms.
"So?"
She stepped closer.
"So—Ethan is the detective in charge of that case."
I didn't answer immediately. I held her gaze, trying to read what lay beneath her words.
"Why are you scared, Anna? I don't think detectives bite anymore."
She ignored my sarcasm.
Her brows knit together; her eyes trembled with a tension I didn't even feel.
I smiled lightly, teasing to ease her worry.
"I thought you'd figure it out quickly."
I let out a soft laugh, leaning back against the stair wall—but it didn't calm her.
She closed her eyes briefly, exhaling.
"Camila, stay away from him. Detectives don't approach without a purpose—especially Ethan, with his background."
I watched her for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"Maybe… but getting close to him could be useful."
"Useful?!"
She froze, disbelief written all over her face.
I played with a strand of my dark hair before replying:
"I mean… if he's investigating Liam's case, knowing how he thinks could help me."
Anna sighed, cracking her fingers nervously.
"You're playing with fire, Camila."
I patted her shoulder reassuringly.
"I'm a psychiatrist. I'm used to challenging dangerous minds."
She fell silent.
My thoughts drifted back to Mark's words.
"By the way… who are the Hawthornes?"
She sighed, clearly knowing I wouldn't change my mind.
"You really don't know them?"
I shook my head, waiting curiously.
Kevin's voice interrupted, calling for her.
She pointed at me quickly.
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
Then she left, her absence leaving my thoughts spinning unanswered.
I looked around. This place was far better than the main hall. Soft strands of yellow light illuminated the space, and the damp breeze from the balcony refreshed my body.
I closed my eyes briefly, my blue dress swaying gently.
Turning away from the stairs, I started to head back—
Only to nearly collide with someone.
I looked up.
Ethan.
I laughed softly, crossing my arms.
"Yes, the world is small—but not that small, is it?"
He smiled faintly.
"If you're asking about the Hawthornes, why not ask directly? Am I not the best person to answer?"
I paused, then said:
"And would you have answered that easily?"
He laughed at my transparency.
"I wasn't planning to… but now, why not?"
For the first time, his words didn't feel like part of an interrogation.
As he spoke about the Hawthornes, he walked slowly toward the balcony. I followed instinctively, stopping beside him as he leaned against it.
"The Hawthornes are known for a long legacy in law—one generation passing it to the next, along with the firms."
I hummed thoughtfully.
"So you're the anomaly in that empire, Detective."
He fell silent for a moment, his gaze drifting away—as if I had touched something too soon.
But he simply nodded.
He set his glass on the railing, then looked at me.
"What about you? Was becoming a doctor your parents' wish?"
I smiled, taking his glass and sipping from it.
"You're quick at reading people, Detective."
"In my teens, I wanted to be a romance novelist… but my father saw me as a doctor."
He frowned slightly.
"A psychiatrist writing cliché love triangles."
Then he added with a smile:
"I should thank your father for changing that path."
I laughed, nodding, remembering my father's gentle features.
"I also considered becoming an engineer like him. He made me love that field."
"Sounds like you love him a lot."
I pressed my lips slightly, placing the glass back between us.
"Yes… he was kind. Gentle. Not like anyone else."
I glanced at him, changing the subject.
"I see you've abandoned the cat-and-mouse game."
His gaze never left mine.
Was he trying to unsettle me?
A challenging smile formed on his lips.
"I prefer chess."
"Be careful. I'm always two steps ahead."
I stepped closer—two steps forward—as I said it.
He straightened, slipping his hands into his pockets.
"I like difficult challenges, Cam."
My brows lifted at the nickname.
He tilted his head slightly, glancing toward the garden.
"I'll drive you. Let's go."
I didn't refuse.
Truthfully, I was already bored.
---
Ethan:
My hands gripped the steering wheel as streetlights flickered across the windows.
"So… I take it your relationship with your family isn't that great?"
I smiled slightly at her question.
"Expected answer, considering I broke the family chain, right?"
I mirrored her tone, glancing at her briefly before returning my focus to the road.
"I thought you'd diagnose me with a complicated maternal relationship… or childhood neglect."
Camila laughed.
"Hmm… that's the kind of diagnosis you get from social media."
Silence settled as I focused on driving.
"I didn't expect to see you at Kevin's party."
"I didn't expect detectives at political gatherings either."
She said it while looking out the window, watching the buildings pass.
"Mark Queens seemed comfortable talking to you."
I waited. She didn't answer immediately.
She turned toward me, smiling.
"Is this an interrogation?"
I shook my head.
"Curiosity."
"Detective curiosity is dangerous."
A brief silence.
I glanced at her from the corner of my eye, then back to the road.
"You're curious too, Cam."
I used Anna's nickname deliberately—and I'm sure she noticed, even if I hadn't heard everything they said.
Time passed unnoticed until I stopped in front of her building.
As her fingers touched the door handle, I caught her hand.
She looked at me, surprised.
"I just wanted to tell you—you're invited to my younger brother's graduation. At least then, you'll properly meet the Hawthornes."
I released her hand, leaning back into my seat.
She looked at me for a few seconds, then stepped out.
My eyes followed her until she entered the building.
My phone rang, pulling me out of my thoughts.
"Max."
His voice came through, tense.
"We have a problem."
I closed my eyes briefly.
"Again? What happened?"
"Liam… his lawyer filed a complaint against you."
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