Ethan I needed to talk to Reina, to find out why she had kept this secret from me for so long. But hen that wasn't something I had to think much on, she hated me before so it was very understandable. Even at that, I couldn't help but ask. As I burst through the door, her assistant looked up from her desk. "Ethan, what's wrong?" "Where's Reina?" I demanded, my voice shaking with emotion. My assistant nodded, her expression sympathetic. "She's in her office, Ethan. But be careful, she's been crying." I nodded, my heart heavy with foreboding. I made my way to Reina's office, my mind racing with questions. Why had she kept this secret from me? Why had she lied to me all these years? I pushed open the door, and Reina looked up from her desk. Her eyes were red and puffy, her face streaked with tears. "Ethan," she whispered, her voice barely audible. I felt a pang of emotion, seeing her like this. But I pushed it aside, my anger and hurt taking over. "Why, Reina?" I demanded, my
EthanJust as I was pouring my heart out to Reina, begging her to come back to me and start fresh, Bruce walked into the living room, his eyes fixed on us with a mixture of anger and concern."Reina, what's going on here?" he demanded, his voice firm but controlled.Reina stood up, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Bruce, this doesn't concern you," she said, her voice steady.But Bruce was undeterred. "I think it does," he said, his eyes locked on me. "Ethan, I know what you're trying to do. You're trying to manipulate Reina into coming back to you."I felt a surge of anger at his words, but I tried to keep my cool. "Bruce, that's not true," I said, my voice calm. "I'm just trying to make things right between us."But Bruce was having none of it. "You've had your chance, Ethan," he said, his voice cold. "You blew it."Reina stepped forward, her eyes flashing with anger. "Bruce, stop," she said, her voice firm. "This is between me and Ethan."But Bruce just kept going. "You're not goin
RAVENNA I walked into the local coffee shop, scanning the room for familiar faces. I had just gotten back into town after a few weeks away, and I was eager to catch up on the latest gossip.As I waited in line, I overheard a few people chatting about Ethan and Reina. My ears perked up - what were they saying? Are they? Is it what I think?"I heard they're back together, apparently , everyone knows that Reina is the best for him. I heard his other wife, Ravenna is practically the bitch." someone said.My heart sank. I knew Ethan's history with Reina, and I couldn't believe he would take her back. Especially after everything she had done to him.I felt a surge of anger and disgust. How could he be so blind?After grabbing my coffee, I decided to head to Ethan's house. I needed to see this for myself, to make sure he wasn't making a huge mistake.As I pulled up to his house, I noticed Reina's car parked outside. My stomach twisted with anxiety.I got out of my car and walked up to the
RAVENNA I stood in the living room, the divorce papers clutched in my hand, my eyes fixed on Ethan's determined face. Reina sat on the couch, a smug look on her face, but I ignored her."You can't be serious, Ethan," I said, my voice shaking with emotion. "You're really going to throw away our marriage, our family, for her?"Ethan's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with anger. "Ravena, I've made up my mind. Please, just sign the papers."I felt a wave of despair wash over me. How could he do this to me? To his father?"No, Ethan," I said, my voice firm. "I won't sign. I won't let you do this."Reina stood up, her eyes gleaming with triumph. "Ethan, don't let her manipulate you," she said, her voice dripping with venom.But Ethan didn't move, his eyes fixed on mine. "Ravena, please," he said, his voice softening. "Don't make this harder than it has to be."I laughed, a bitter sound. "Harder than it has to be?" I repeated. "You're the one who's making this hard, Ethan.'Ethan's face har
ETHAN Divorcing Ravenna is one of the best things that had ever happened to me in a long time, excluding the fact that I had just reunited with Reina anyways. That was premium best thing. I stood at the balcony as I stared at the divorce papers in my hands, it was officially sealed and stamped. Nothing tied me down to Ravenna and her family. Just then, my phone began buzzing in my pocket and I fumbled with it before bringing it out. It was a number that hadn't called me in a long while and I chuckled as I pressed the decline button. My day was starting off great and I didn't want anyone to ruin it for me. The phone began ringing again almost at the same time and I rolled my eyes before picking up the call. "Hello." I greeted into the speaker and he didn't want to say anything. I mean, how can you call someone and still expect the person to open the conversation? How does this work in this people's head? "Ethan, how do you feel after divorcing my daughter?" Of course that's what
Ethan's POV "That's important, you know? If her father is calling you then it is definitely important." Her expression changed as she slowly stopped munching on her food and dropped her fork. "He's not important, Reina." I wasn't sure if she was just talking because she was angry that I was still in contact with Ravenna's father but the last thing I wanted was for this woman to get mad at me. "What did he say when he called?" She tilted her head and grabbed a cup of water as she drank it down in one go. Laying the cup on the top of the table, she looked at me expectantly expecting an answer. "He just wanted to know why I divorced his daughter." I stated and her face contorted. "Why would he want to know that? Does he not watch the news to know that it was judged in court? What is even wrong with him? I strongly want to insult him but I'm still trying to play nice because he's an elder." She sighed and shoved the food angrily into her mouth and began twisting her mouth in a
ETHAN'S POV"Ethan, what are you planning on doing?" Reina tugged my hand from under the chair but I had to pretend that I had no idea what she was doing."What is it?" I asked and swerved to look at her and I watched fascinatingly as she bit her lips. That looked hot to me and I must say that I don't remember the last time I saw this woman looking so fragile and not putting up an independent front.It's almost like I want to kiss her right here and right now.I ended the call with the secretary and looked at her again, she was still biting her lips. This woman doesn't know what she's doing to me, does she?"Stop." I stated as fast as I could and she looked up to stare at me."What? Wnat should I stop?" I smiled, of course she didn't know what she was doing. She was doing so absentmindedly."Stop biting your lips like that,it's giving me dangerous ideas. Ideas that aren't for to be happening in this office but I dont mind." I watched her cheeks go red and my heart began thumping in ex
REINAI know for sure that since I returned to Ethan, a lot of things were shifting between us and we were actually getting to know each other more and that was blissful, but what could have never crossed my mind was the fact that Ethan would gift his company to me.He didn't even stutter or double think it as he was announcing it to everyone in the company.And yes, he made it official.He had done the transfer of documents and everything behind my back, I could never have guessed it.Tears were in my eyes as I stared at the entire members and staffs of this company. There were a lot of happy faces, skeptical faces too that seemed to ask if I was equal to the task to be given such an amazing company.But the only one that I stared at was he look of pride and satisfaction in Ethan's face.It was like he was doing something good for the first time in his life and he felt great about it. He seemed really proud of himself."Before we end this meeting, I would like you to sign this Baby."
EthanI could not sit still. Not after everything that has been happening.My fingers drummed against the edge of the hotel desk as my eyes looked towards the door for the hundredth time. I had double-checked the lock, slid the chain in place, and even propped a chair under the handle. But it was not enough. Not when I knew someone was following me.All these things felt like deja vu because something like this has happened to me before I moved to the country my family is in. Why was all these messing up with my life? “They have been watching us. There are cameras in the house.” I remembered Reina's words. And now this being tailed by a black car, the creeping feeling that every step I took was being tracked. I ran my hands through my hair and each strand was damp with sweat. I felt trapped and powerless, and it was eating me alive.My phone buzzed on the desk. I snatched it up, my heart pounding, hoping it was Reina. It was not.It was Carl. He never backed down even when I told
Reina I was scared to death, unaware of what to do. Ethan had been yelling at me that I should call the cops. “Call the cops now! Reina!” I wish I could. My hands were shaking and I could not dial the number correctly. When I was able to call the cops, the line operator answered and I heard a faint knock at the back door. My breath caught in my throat.“Reina?” Ethan’s voice came in again. I knew he heard the noise. “They are at the back door,” I whispered with tears streaming down my face. I could not believe that I would be crying this minute. See what we have gotten ourselves into. “Get out of there,” he said. “Now.”“I can’t. It's not that easy,” I said, my voice barely audible.“Then hide,” he said. “Go somewhere safe and stay there until the police arrive. I’m on my way, Reina. I promise.”On your way? Oh, Ethan. I know that you haven't booked a flight yet even though you pleaded with me that you will book the next available flight. I hung up and bolted toward the pantr
ReinaThe house has always been this quiet in the past few days. The kind of quiet that made every creak of the floorboards and every faint rustle outside feel like something heavy. I sat at the kitchen table, staring at the unknown number on my phone screen. My hands were trembling as I read the message again.“You’re in over your head, Mrs. Reina. Tell your husband to back off and leave Japan or you will both regret it.I had seen my fair share of threats in my career. The angry competitors, disgruntled clients, jealous rivals but this was different and more dangerous. I knew Ethan was in danger. I knew I was in danger. But what chilled me to the bone was the realization that whoever sent this message didn’t just know about us, they were watching us. They had their eyes on us. I felt like I was suffocating, the walls of the house closing in around me. I needed air. I needed to breathe. I ran outside so that I wouldn't faint and the cool night breeze kept on hitting my face as I
ReinaThe sun was just beginning to set when I heard the sharp knock on the door. It was unusual. I wasn’t expecting anyone.I froze, my mind immediately flashing back to Leonard’s warnings and Detective Daniels’ advice to stay vigilant. For a moment, I considered not answering, but the knock came again, louder this time.“Reina, it’s me,” a familiar voice called out.Leonard.My stomach churned as I tiptoed to the peephole. Sure enough, there he was, standing in a crisp black suit, his expression unreadable.I opened the door just enough to see him. “What are you doing here?” I asked sharply.“We need to talk,” Leonard said, his voice calm but urgent.“We have nothing to talk about,” I replied, starting to close the door.He pushed it open slightly, his hand on the frame. “Please, Reina. This is important. It’s about Ethan.”That made me pause. I didn’t trust Leonard as far as I could throw him, but the mention of Ethan pulled at my resolve. Reluctantly, I stepped aside and let him i
EthanI stood by the window in my hotel room, staring at the city lights shining brightly against the night sky.The streets below were alive with honking cars and I could hear laughter, and the distant thrum of music right here in my room. Yet inside this room, the silence I felt indifferent. I felt something that I could not quite shake off. The events of the last two days replayed in my mind like a broken record. The redhead, the alcohol, the shame. And Carl, my so-called friend who had managed to vanish when I needed him most.I clenched my fists, anger bubbling under the surface. “You are an idiot, Ethan,” I muttered to myself. “An absolute idiot.”My phone buzzed on the bedside table, snapping me out of my thoughts. I reached for it, half-expecting Reina’s name to light up the screen. But it wasn’t her.It was Carl. “Come on dude. Let me be.”I hated the way I was dwelling on all of these. I had work to do and I haven't been able to do anything yet. For a moment, I conside
ReinaThe dinner with Leonard didn't go as expected. As usual, he was cutting through corners. If he knew that I had submitted his name to the cops, maybe he would have given me more information. I was left to rack my brain over this. This was something that was meant to be the detectives work but I have not gotten any report from them. I wanted to call them to ask if they are making any progress but I guess I should just wait for some time. I sat at my desk, staring at my computer screen. The article I had been reading earlier blurred before my eyes. Leonard's words from the night before were still looping in my head. How would I get him to tell me all I need to know?Ethan was in Japan and some unknown people see plotting to kill him. Getting anything from Leonard seemed impossible especially when I knew that he was more interested in my body. But, I can't give in him or anyone. I was w married woman and I had a child. "They see Ethan as a threat,” I repeated as I thought alou
EthanThe cold shower did little to wash away the guilt clinging to my skin. I stood there, water pouring over me, hoping the icy sting would calm the storm in my chest. But it didn’t.I was haunted by memories and all I could see and hear and feel were The redhead’s laughter, her touch, the softness of her lips. it all kept on haunting leaving a relentless echo in my mind.“You are a fool, Ethan,” I muttered, slamming my fist against the tiled wall. “A bloody fool. How could you do such a thing?”I turned off the shower and stepped out, grabbing a towel. My reflection in the fogged-up mirror stared back at me. I looked like a total stranger. A stranger with bloodshot eyes and a fucked up face. This was not me. This was not the man I promised Reina I would be.Reina. My sweet wife. Her face swam before my eyes and I could still see her bright smile, the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed. What would she think of me now? Would she even look at me the same way if she knew what
ReinaThe clock on my desk kept ticking loudly and I wondered if it was because I was paying attention to even the little things that I was able to hear it. On a normal day, I would care less about a clock. The sound of the clock was made louder by the silence that engulfed the house. At first, I was sketching a few designs that I was going to put up for sale in the online market but my attention became divided when I remembered that there was something I had to do quickly. tapped my pen against the edge of my notebook, staring at the half-written page in front of me. Research on Leonard had consumed my thoughts for the past two days, but the deeper I dug, the murkier things became.Something about him didn’t sit right with me.I sighed, pushing the notebook aside and reaching for my phone. My messages with Ethan stared back at me, our recent exchange still fresh.“Hey. Busy morning. I will call you tonight. Miss you.”His words these days had been reassuring, but something felt of
EthanI woke up to the sound of a door closing softly, followed by the faint click of heels on the floor. My head throbbed, pounding restlessly that made even the dim morning light coming through the curtains feel unbearable. Letting out a soft groan I tried to sit up, but the heaviness in my limbs kept me pinned to the bed.And then it hit me. I was naked. In her. By this time. I blinked, looking down to see the rumpled sheets tangled around my naked body. My stomach twisted as I began to remember what happened last night. The memories kept flooding back and I could not move. Her red hair glowed under the blue lights. Her laughter. Her hands. Her lips.Oh, my God! What have I done?The door clicked shut, and I turned just in time to catch a glimpse of her fiery hair as she disappeared down the hallway. She didn’t say goodbye. She didn’t even look back.I sat up quickly, clutching the sheets as if they could shield and protect me from the shame threatening to consume me. My cl