Everyone in town knows the stories about Ashwood House. The abandoned mansion on the edge of town has been surrounded by rumors for decades—ghost sightings, disappearances, and things that go bump in the night. So when Y/N Carter’s older brother convinces a group of friends to spend a weekend exploring the infamous house, she reluctantly agrees. What she doesn’t expect is Ethan Mercer. Her older brother’s best friend. Her lifelong crush. The sweet, protective ex-special operations soldier who’s always treated her like something precious. At least, that’s what she thought. Because somewhere between the dark hallways, strange noises, and growing tension between them, Y/N makes the mistake of teasing him. Telling him to chase her. Instead of laughing it off, Ethan lifts a hand and begins counting down. Five. Four. Three. His grin turns dangerous. “You want me to chase you, pretty girl? Then I’m gonna give you a head start because you’re gonna need it.” A pause. A smile. “Run.” What starts as a game becomes the moment everything changes. Because Ashwood House isn’t the only thing hiding secrets. And Y/N is about to discover that the scariest thing inside those walls might not be a ghost at all. It might be Ethan Mercer finally deciding he’s done pretending he doesn’t want her.