167
VOTES ARE IN FOR DRAMA LEVER 1-5
The morning sunlight spilled across the penthouse like a soft blush, warming the marble floors and catching on the gold frames lining the hall. Amanda moved quietly through the space, careful not to wake Ericka, whose peaceful breathing drifted from their bedroom.
She pulled her hair into a loose bun, slipped into joggers and a hoodie, and headed downstairs for coffee and pastries.
It felt good normal grounding.
The café was warm and slow that morning, jazz humming softly over the speakers, sunlight spilling across the tables like melted honey.
Amanda stood at the counter waiting for the order a latte for Ericka with oat milk and cinnamon, and a plain iced coffee for herself — trying to steady her mind after a whirlwind week.
A quiet breath left her chest.
A moment of peace.
Then—
"Amanda?"
Her shoulders stiffened.
That voice...
That specific voice she hadn't heard in years.
She turned.
Sierra.
Her ex from three years ago.
A relationship that ended badly The final push that made Amanda swear off dating until Ericka came into her life and rewrote everything.
Sierra still looked like a walking magazine spread caramel skin glowing under the café lights, long curls perfectly styled, and a soft pink gloss on her full lips. And those lips were already lifting into a slow, too-familiar smile.
"Amanda Parker," Sierra said, stepping closer. "Wow... I thought that was you."
Amanda kept her expression neutral. "Hey. Yeah. It's been a while."
Sierra's eyes dragged down the length of her body lingering, appreciating.
"A long while," she said softly. "You look amazing."
Amanda took a subtle step back. "Thanks. You too."
Sierra glanced at the drinks on the counter. "You still have the same number?"
Amanda frowned. "Why do you need it?"
Sierra gave a playful shrug. "I just... thought maybe we could talk. Catch up."
"No," Amanda said immediately, tone firm but even. "That's not a good idea."
Sierra blinked, surprised. "Oh... still mad?"
"No," Amanda said honestly. "Just... I've moved on. Completely."
Sierra's expression wavered, something tight flickering behind her eyes.
"Well... alright. It was still nice seeing you."
Amanda nodded once, picked up the drinks and the pastry box, and walked out without looking back.
But her heart was pounding all the way up the elevator.
The second Amanda stepped into the apartment, she saw Ericka.
The second Amanda stepped into the apartment, she saw her wife.
Ericka was curled up on the couch in leggings and one of Amanda's sweaters, her hair in a soft bun, her hand resting gently on her small baby bump. The sight alone made Amanda's shoulders drop.
Ericka smiled when she saw her. "Hey, baby. You okay? You look like you sprinted upstairs."
Amanda set the drinks down and walked straight to her no detours, no hesitation. She slid onto the couch beside Ericka and took her hands.
"I ran into someone downstairs," Amanda said softly.
Ericka's brows lifted. "Who?"
Amanda inhaled and pushed the words out.
"Sierra."
Ericka blinked, surprise flickering over her face. "Your ex?"
"Yeah." Amanda nodded, squeezing her hands. "I didn't expect it. She just... showed up. Started flirting. Tried asking for my number — said we should catch up."
Ericka's eyes sharpened. "Did you give it to her?"
"No." Amanda shook her head hard. "I shut it down. Told her it wasn't a good idea. Took the drinks and came straight up here to tell you. Immediately."
Ericka studied her deeply, quietly and then let out a small breath of relief.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Amanda scooted closer, pulling Ericka into her lap. "You're my wife. I would never let someone have that kind of door into our life."
Ericka rested her forehead against Amanda's. "Did she say anything else?"
"No. And I'm not entertaining anything from her."
Ericka nodded slowly... but the wheels were already turning behind her eyes — protectiveness, jealousy, the quiet threat of anyone daring to interfere with what they've built.
Amanda stroked her cheek. "Hey. Look at me. Nothing's happening. I promise."
Ericka's lips curved in a small, grateful smile.
"Okay. Come here."
Amanda did and Ericka kissed her, long and slow, claiming her softly but unmistakably.
When they pulled back, Ericka whispered, "Thank you for telling me. And for shutting it down."
Amanda cupped her cheek. "Always. There's no one else I'd ever want."
Amanda and Ericka stayed curled up together on the couch after the Sierra conversation, letting the soft quiet fill the room. Ericka rested her head on Amanda's chest while Amanda slowly rubbed her back in calming circles.
For a moment, everything felt safe again.
Then Amanda's phone buzzed.
She ignored it.
Buzzed again.
Then again.
Ericka lifted her head. "You should check it, baby. Might be PR."
Amanda reached for her phone, unlocked it... and froze.
SIERRA: It was really nice seeing you today.
Amanda's stomach dropped.
She didn't reply.
Ericka, lounging against her with a blanket across her legs, caught the tension immediately.
"Everything okay?" she asked softly.
"Yeah," Amanda said. "Just Sierra. She texted 'nice seeing you.' I ignored it."
Ericka didn't push. She just nodded once and leaned into Amanda's side again.
But then —
Buzz. Buzz.
Amanda sighed, picked up her phone... and her face changed.
She didn't open it fully just read the preview on her lock screen. Her stomach flipped.
"Ericka..." she murmured. "It's Sierra again."
Ericka lifted her head. "Show me."
Amanda handed her the phone immediately.
Ericka unlocked it, reading the full message:
SIERRA:
Amanda... seeing you today made me realize how much I miss you. I've been thinking about you all afternoon. We should catch up.
Amanda groaned. "Yeah... no. That's not happening."
Ericka stared at the message a second longer, her jaw tightening just enough to show she wasn't amused.
"I'm holding onto this for a few minutes," she said calmly, slipping the phone into her own lap.
Amanda blinked. "Okay. That's fine."
A quiet moment passed.
Then—
BUZZ.
Ericka looked down, tapped the message open, and her expression sharpened.
She read it out loud, her voice steady but colder:
SIERRA:
I still want you... I never stopped.
Amanda's entire face twisted. "OH, absolutely not—"
Ericka didn't hesitate. She typed quickly:
ERICKA (on Amanda's phone):
This is her wife. Stop being disrespectful and stop texting her. You will be blocked.
Amanda's heart flipped protective Ericka was one of her favorite versions.
But just as Ericka hovered over the "Block" button
BUZZ.
A new message popped up instantly.
Before the screen fully loaded, Ericka's eyes widened in disgust. She angled the phone toward Amanda without looking away.
A nude photo.
Unasked for.
Unwelcome.
Crossing every line possible.
Amanda recoiled. "WHAT THE— NO—no no no—"
Ericka exhaled sharply, a rare flash of anger tightening her grip on the phone.
"She sent you this?" Ericka asked quietly.
"Yes!" Amanda hissed. "Baby, I didn't ask for ANY of that. I didn't even reply!"
"I know," Ericka said, voice low and controlled. "I know you didn't."
She hit Block instantly and deleted the entire thread in front of Amanda without hesitation.
Then she placed Amanda's phone gently on the coffee table...
...and cupped her face, steady and calm.
"You did everything right," she said softly. "You handed it to me the moment it felt wrong. That's all I need."
Amanda's chest loosened with relief. "I just didn't want anything to look... bad."
Ericka kissed her cheek. "You're my wife. I trust you."
She pulled Amanda into a long, grounding hug, her hand sliding up her back in slow circles.
"Also," Ericka added quietly, "If she ever texts again from a different number... you show me first."
Amanda smirked into her shoulder. "Of course."