The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 222: Ch : A Ridiculous Idea- Part 2

Selene leaned against the cool wall, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.

The silence pressed around her, but her thoughts were anything but quiet.

Her heart had finally stopped pounding after her outburst, but the uneasy heaviness in her chest refused to leave.

’What’s wrong with me?’

She already knew the answer.

The moment her heart had skipped when Ethan smiled at her earlier, it had told her everything she didn’t want to admit.

’Do I... like him?’

Her face flushed as the realization hit her like a tidal wave.

It felt like a ridiculous thought at first, but the more Selene tried to look at her behaviour objectively, the more she felt like she had finally found the answer to her feelings.

This wasn’t some fleeting admiration or a casual crush. It was deeper. More dangerous.

Selene bit her bottom lip, feeling her pulse quicken as memories flooded her mind. Ethan’s quiet strength.

His unwavering loyalty. The way he always stood by her side, no matter how dangerous things got.

And the way he looked at her...

’Stop.’

Selene’s fingers curled into a fist, her nails digging into her palm.

’This isn’t the time for this.’

She was preparing for the raid. There was too much at stake. Nora’s behavior. Doctor Aldric’s hidden motives. The looming threat of sabotage.

She couldn’t afford distractions.

Not now.

Selene took a shaky breath, her heart hammering in her chest.

’Bury it.’

She forced herself to push the feelings down, locking them away deep inside.

’This isn’t the time.’

But no matter how hard she tried to push it away, the echo of her own feelings lingered, making her chest ache.

Her system chimed softly.

[Feeling better?]

Selene blinked at Ethan’s message.

[I figured I’d give you some time, but... you okay now?]

Selene’s heart clenched. Ethan continued not even a second later.

’He’s worried.’

A pang of guilt washed over her. She had walked out on him without any explanation. Ethan didn’t deserve that.

[I’m fine. I just needed some air.]

Her fingers hovered over the keypad as she debated what to say next.

It was a half-truth, but she wasn’t ready to tell him the real reason.

A few seconds passed before Ethan’s reply came.

[If you’re sure. I’m here if you need me.]

Selene’s lips quirked into a faint smile.

Just as she was about to tell him that she was heading back, she heard a familiar voice echo through the system’s channel.

"Ethan~! Can you come here for a second?"

Heera.

Selene’s smile vanished. She had no idea why Ethan decided to open the communication with her, but she did not like it. She immediately closed the voice communication before Ethan could talk to her.

Her grip on the system tightened, her mood darkening.

’Why does her voice make me feel like this?’

Selene felt the sharp pang of jealousy creep back into her chest.

’It doesn’t matter.’

She took a breath, forcing her emotions back under control.

[... might need a little more time. I’ll check in later.]

Ethan’s reply came almost instantly.

[I understand. Take your time.]

Selene let out a slow breath, feeling the ache in her heart settle. She did not know if she felt relieved or agitated at the fact that Ethan did not say anything about that communication channel.

’I’ll be fine.’

Three hours later, Selene sat outside the center, her eyes focused on the evening sky.

The clouds had started to scatter, and the first stars were beginning to appear.

But Selene wasn’t really seeing any of it.

Her mind was empty now, the storm of emotions having settled into a quiet numbness.

"Hey."

Selene blinked, pulled from her thoughts by the familiar voice.

She turned her head slightly and saw Ethan standing beside her, his expression calm but his eyes filled with quiet concern.

"Feeling better?"

He asked softly.

Selene stared at him for a moment before sighing.

"I’m not feeling much of anything right now."

She admitted.

Ethan didn’t say anything. He just sat down beside her, letting the silence stretch between them.

The quiet was oddly comforting.

For a few minutes, neither of them spoke.

And for once, Selene was grateful for the silence.

"Come on."

Ethan finally said, his voice gentle.

He stood up and offered her his hand.

"Let’s head back."

Selene hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his.

The warmth of his touch sent a small jolt through her, but she ignored it.

Ethan pulled her to her feet, and for a brief moment, their eyes met.

Selene quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing slightly.

But just as they were about to head back, Selene’s eyes narrowed as her Insight kicked in.

A faint ripple of energy brushed against her senses.

Her body tensed instantly.

"Wait!"

She whispered, her eyes scanning the area.

Ethan immediately went on alert, his stance shifting.

"What is it?"

Selene’s eyes darted around, her senses picking up on the faint traces of mana nearby.

"There are... intruders inside the facility. And they’re moving suspiciously."

She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ethan’s expression sharpened, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes.

"Looks like we’ve got company."

He murmured, a grin tugging at his lips.

Selene’s mind raced as she remembered that their new security system was still in processing.

She had handed it over to Zara to finalize the configuration, but it would take a few more days before it went live.

’Damn it.’

"We’re still blind."

Selene muttered under her breath.

Ethan’s grin widened.

"Perfect. It’s been some time since I had a good hunt."

He said, his voice dripping with anticipation.

Selene’s jaw tightened.

"You’re not going alone."

She said firmly, her eyes narrowing.

Ethan turned to her, his expression playful but serious. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

"Of course not. Let’s go and hunt now."

Ethann seemed to regard Selene as someone capable now. It make Selene feel warm and fuzzy, but she did her best not to let it show on her face.