A little bit more before bed.

Bianca reached for her phone again, her fingers instinctively scrolling to Ethan's chat. "This princess is tired," she typed. "I think I'll get changed and lay down." She hesitated for a moment, then hit send, the act of sharing such an intimate detail with someone she barely knew sending a shiver down her spine. She glanced over at the window, the night outside seeming to press in on her, making her feel isolated and alone.

Her thumb hovered over Robert's chat next, the screen showing nothing but silence. She sighed, a pang of disappointment twisting in her gut. "Love you babe, I'm going to bed," she typed, her words careful, measured. "If you see this, don't come over." She sent it, the message marked as read almost immediately, but there was no response. Bianca frowned, her mind racing with possibilities. Was he busy? Angry? Or was he simply not caring anymore? The uncertainty gnawed at her, leaving her feeling raw and exposed.

Ethan's message arrived with the same swiftness that had become familiar, yet it still managed to catch her off guard. "So, princess, prove it. Send me a picture of you in your PJs. I want to see how my princess sleeps." Bianca's cheeks flushed as she read the message, a mix of embarrassment and excitement swirling in her stomach. She glanced around her apartment, the dim lighting casting shadows on the walls. Her bedroom was just a few steps away, the queen-sized bed inviting her to retreat into its comfort.

She bit her lip, her thumb hovering over the camera icon. It was a bold request, but there was something about Ethan's confidence that made her feel at ease. "You're such a tease," she typed, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in her chest. "But okay, just one picture." She quickly changed into her favorite lace-trimmed pajamas, the soft fabric brushing against her skin. Taking a deep breath, she snapped a photo, making sure the lighting was flattering before sending it.

Ethan's response was immediate. "Stunning," he wrote, each word dripping with sincerity. "You look like a true princess, even in PJs." Bianca's heart skipped a beat as she read the message, the compliment warming her from the inside out. She couldn't help but smile, feeling a connection. But as the smile faded, guilt crept in, reminding her of Robert and the secret she was keeping.

Bianca climbed into bed, the sheets cool against her skin as she settled in. She plugged in her phone and reopened Ethan's profile, her thumb scrolling through his photos with a mix of curiosity and guilt. Each image showed a life she envied—luxury cars, exotic locations, and confidence that drew her in. She nibbled on her thumb nail, a habit she couldn't shake, as she compared his world to her own mundane routine. Ethan's life seemed perfect.

Bianca's thumb hovered over the screen, her breath catching as she scrolled through Ethan's photos. One particular image caught her eye—a shirtless snapshot that showcased his chiseled physique. Without thinking, she double-tapped, her heart racing as the like button lit up. Panic set in instantly; she hadn't meant to do that. Frantically, she unliked the photo, hoping Ethan hadn't noticed. But the screen seemed to freeze for a moment, and she could almost hear the gears turning in her mind. Had he seen it? The thought sent a wave of heat to her cheeks, and she glanced around her dimly lit room as if someone might have witnessed her slip-up.

Before she could calm herself, her phone buzzed with an incoming message. Ethan's name flashed on the screen, and her stomach twisted into knots. "Caught you," he wrote, accompanied by a wink emoji. Bianca's eyes widened, her fingers trembling as she typed out a hasty reply. "It was an accident," she wrote.

"Whatever you say, princess," Ethan teased, his tone light but laced with an undercurrent of knowing. "But I have to admit, I'm flattered. You can't blame a girl for appreciating a good view, right?" His words were smooth, almost too smooth, and Bianca found herself relaxing despite her initial panic.

Bianca sighed softly, her breath whispering against the pillow as she turned onto her side. The phone, now dimmed, rested on the nightstand, its screen a silent reminder of the conversation that had just transpired. She glanced at it once more, her fingers twitching with the urge to check for new messages, but she resisted. The weight of her actions pressed lightly against her conscience, a gentle nudge that she tried to ignore. Closing her eyes, she let the softness of the bed envelop her, the exhaustion of the day tugging at her eyelids. Sleep, however, seemed elusive, her mind wandering back to Ethan's words, each one a gentle caress to her ego. "Stunning," he had said, and she couldn't help but wonder if he truly meant it. The thought brought a faint smile to her lips, but it quickly faded as Robert's face came to mind. Guilt, like a shadow, followed close behind.

The room was quiet, the only sound the faint hum of the air conditioner in the background. Bianca shifted slightly, her hand reaching out to pull the blanket closer. Her thoughts drifted to Ethan's photos, the ones she had scrolled through earlier. Each image told a story of a life so different from hers—exciting, adventurous, and full of confidence. She couldn't help but compare it to her own routine, which seemed dull in contrast. Why couldn't her life be like that? The question lingered in her mind, fueling a sense of restlessness she couldn't shake. She sighed again, this time more deeply, and let her eyes drift shut, willing herself to sleep. But her mind refused to cooperate, replaying snippets of her conversation with Ethan. "You look like a true princess," he had said, and the words echoed in her thoughts, comforting yet unsettling.