Chapter 5 Chapter 5 That night , I filled the bathtub to the brim with scalding water , watching steam rise in thick doods . I desperately wanted to wash away every trace of the past twenty four hours , as if enough hot water could somehow cleanse my soul along with my skin . But as I undressed in front of the bathroom mirror , the purple blue marks scattered across my skin told their own story . Love bites on my neck , fingerprint bruises on my hips- each one a reminder I couldnt erase . The bruises werent ready to fade , just like the memories . Last night came flooding back uninvited the burning heat of his skin against mine , his passionate breathing against my ear , the way hed whispered my name in the dark . The ghost of his touch still lingered everywhere , like phantom hands tracing patterns across my body . The warmth of his chest pressed against my back , his fingers intertwined with mine memories I wanted to forget but couldnt seem to shake . I shook my head violently , grabbing the sides of the sink until my knuckles turned white , trying to shake away these fragments of madness . These moments that meant everything to me and nothing to him . Grabbing my roughest loofah , I scrubbed and scrubbed until my skin turned angry red . My arms , my neck , my chest anywhere his lips had been . As if I could somehow erase what had become the most humiliating memory of my life . The physical pain felt almost good , like maybe it could overshadow the ache in my chest . The raw , stinging pain kept me tossing and turning all night . Every position hurt my skin too sensitive , my body remembering touches I was trying to forget . Aiden didnt text , of course . For the first time in six years , since we got our first iPhones in middle school , there was no goodnight message . No inside joke about his calculus homework . No stupid TikTok he thought would make me laugh . No heart emoji that I used to analyze for hours . Just deafening silence . Better this way . It had to end sometime . Might as well start detoxing tonight . I drifted in and out of consciousness until dawn approached , finally falling into an uneasy sleep somewhere between counting sheep and counting mistakes . Just as morning light began filtering through my curtains , I felt what seemed like a gentle kiss on my forehead , so real it startled me from my dreams . For a moment , my heart stopped , thinking he might have used his spare key to check on me like he sometimes did before school . 09:27 Eternal Pledge Where Moura Tou In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. As their romance blossoms, Hector grapples with concealing his true identity to capture Jane's heart. However, their love story takes a tumultuous turn when jealousy rears its ugly head, threatening to unravel the delicate balance they've built. This modern romance novel delves into themes of hidden identities, unexpected love, and the complexities of maintaining a relationship shrouded in secrecy. With its blend of sweet romance and suspenseful twists, "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" stands out for its exploration of hidden feelings and the consequences of revealing long-held secrets. For readers seeking a captivating tale that combines elements of romance, intrigue, and emotional depth, this ongoing story is available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in the world of Jane and Hector as their journey unfolds against the backdrop of hidden truths and heartfelt revelations.