In any case, regardless of whether it was normal or not, the end result was the same. That was why Ethan didn’t do relationships: he didn’t want to reduce any woman to a depressed mess or maybe show the side of his father he had caged within him—the side his mother had to endure. After his previous attempt at a relationship ages ago, he had no delusions. He didn’t trust himself to be a better partner than Noah was.But unlike his father, Ethan was compassionate, respectful, and never laid his hand on any woman. Plus, he didn’t like having s*x with women he didn’t know. Although he always used condoms, he still liked the certainty that he wasn’t in danger of catching STDs. This presented a problem, given his avoidance of relationships and refusal to pay for s*x. The “booty calls,” as his insolent PA called them, were a necessity: they were women he’d known for a while who wanted the same thing he did—frequent s*x with a skilled partner and nothing more. It was honest and mutually benef
Irritated but curious, Ethan got to his feet and strode into the smaller room adjoining the main conference room. It was a good thing his suit jacket was long enough to cover his crotch.Brandon closed the door behind them and hissed, “What the hell were you doing? You were about to sign a contract with so many loopholes even I could see it!”Ethan opened his mouth, then closed it, not knowing what to say. If Brandon was right, he had no excuse for his inattention.Brandon huffed, glancing down at Ethan’s crotch. He flushed, scowled, and looked back at Ethan’s face. “Is it really that bad? I didn’t know your brain relocated to your d*ck when you were horny.” He heaved a heavy sigh. “Handing over a company that you have worked so hard for to some unserious group on a platter of gold. You should have seen that those conditions were too vague for what you are offering them.”“Watch your tone.”Brandon raised his eyebrows. “Or what? You’ll fire me?” He glanced at the door, chewing on his
Ethan successfully ended the conference where he almost sold his company for a pittance. Back in his office, he sent for Brandon. Brandon took a deep breath before entering Ethan’s office.“You wanted to see me, sir?”Ethan lifted his gaze from his computer and eyed him for a moment. His eyes were cold, calculating, as if weighing Brandon’s worth. “Close the door.”Brandon’s heart pounded in his chest. The air in the room felt thick, stifling. “I’m not doing that again,” he hissed. “What I did a few hours ago was a one-time thing—”“Close the door,” Ethan repeated, his voice stern and displeased.Brandon closed the door, hating how his body instinctively obeyed this man’s commands. The click of the latch sounded ominous in the silence.“We’re leaving on a business trip two days.”Brandon blinked, his confusion growing. That wasn’t what he’d expected. “What?”“We’ve received an excellent partnership offer from an Italian-European corporation. It’ll open new markets for us in the UK, Au
Brandon was wrecked when he got home, even though he was let off early. The pressure of the day lingered in his mind, an incessant buzz that he couldn’t shake off. Britney, his younger sister, was at a friend’s house for a school project sleepover, leaving him alone in the silent apartment. The quiet was both a relief and a curse.He fixed a quick snack, a sandwich hastily thrown together, and decided to watch some TV to distract himself. Flicking through channels, nothing caught his interest, and he soon grew bored. Restless, he tossed the remote aside and stretched out on the couch, hoping a nap might offer some escape. But sleep was elusive. His thoughts kept circling back to Ethan.Could he be saved? How broken was Ethan? How broken was he himself?By now, it was around eight in the evening. Brandon poured himself a glass of wine, grabbed a random book from the shelf, and headed to the balcony. The cool night air was soothing as he looked out over the city, the lights twinkling li
Penelope tried to talk about the past again, but Brandon shut her off. He was already too angry with the situation at hand and the fact that he had to leave for Italy tomorrow. Who could he get in touch with to help investigate the whereabouts of his father? There was no way he would ever let him be a free man. Impossible.“Brandon, can’t you find it in your heart to forgive me? Can’t we try again? Losing you, I’ve realized that I made a huge mistake. I shouldn’t have ever—”Standing to his feet, Brandon cut her off, his voice cold and hard. “Penelope, this will be the first and last time we see each other. You’re selfish and cruel. Bringing up your own interests at such a sensitive time. You had to lose me to realize that I was meant for you? What a joke. And what are you proposing? Cheat on your husband like you cheated on me?”Lowering her head, her luscious blonde hair fell over her face from where she had tucked it behind her ears. “Please, sit,” her bright red apple lips muttere
The night was a long one for Brandon, haunted by bad memories that robbed him of peaceful rest. At the break of dawn, he freshened up and began gathering his things, meticulously packing his suitcase. Just as he was about to finish, Britney returned.After breakfast, Britney sat down close to Brandon, watching him pack. “I don’t like it,” she said, eyeing the charger he tucked into his suitcase.“I thought you had your own key?” Brandon replied, glancing around to remember if he had packed his sunscreen.Britney sighed. “Don’t play dumb. You know what I mean. I don’t understand why he needs you for this trip.”“I’m his assistant,” Brandon reminded her.Britney huffed, skepticism clear in her eyes. “What will you be assisting him with during business negotiations at some fancy Italian mansion?”Brandon shrugged, trying to mask his own confusion since learning the trip details from Becky—that they would be staying at Aldo Massimo’s luxurious villa on one of Italy’s rare landscapes durin
“Why not?” Ethan asked.Brandon chuckled distractedly as the plane climbed higher, the clouds now the only visible thing outside their window. He breathed deeply, taking in his boss’s scent—a blend of expensive cologne and something uniquely Ethan. “Because you don’t do relationships. You have no idea how they work. And you and me?” He chuckled again, meeting Ethan’s intense dark eyes. “It’s ridiculous. No one will buy it.”Ethan didn’t look fazed. His expression remained calm, almost amused. “You weren’t wrong when you claimed that you know me better than ninety-nine percent of people. I don’t see why they wouldn’t buy it.”Trying to ignore the pleased feeling caused by Ethan’s words, Brandon shook his head. “I can claim that I know you better than most people do, but that doesn’t mean much because you don’t let people get close. Couples have a certain intimacy in their interactions—”“You’ve s*ck*d my c*ck,” Ethan said flatly, his gaze unwavering. “It doesn’t get much more intimate t
Aldo Massimo’s villa was breathtaking.They arrived just as the sun was setting over the seaside, and Brandon stopped, awed by the sheer beauty of it. The water glittered like diamonds as it reflected the sunset, and the tall mountains surrounding the beautiful lake made him feel incredibly small.“D*mn,” he whispered, all the tiredness from the long flight gone.He turned his head and found Ethan looking at the lake with a very strange expression, his hands in the pockets of his suit pants. Was that disgust in his gaze?“Did you miss it?” Brandon asked before he could stop himself. “America has beautiful places too,” he added without any change in his voice.“But it isn’t home,” Ethan said quietly.Brandon eyed his hard profile. He hadn’t missed the shift in his boss’s mood ever since they’d landed in Sicily. There was something different about him, in the way he held himself. Even his voice sounded a little softer, more friendly when he spoke in Italian, and Brandon found himself fa
Christmas...The warmth of the fireplace filled the room, the crackling of the flames blending with the soft hum of Christmas carols playing in the background. The Christmas tree stood proudly in the corner, its branches covered in twinkling lights and delicate ornaments that shimmered in the soft glow. Outside, snow fell gently, blanketing the world in a peaceful white. Inside, the laughter of family could be heard through the house, filling every corner with love and joy.Around the large dining table, everyone was gathered. Nana, looking radiant and content, cradled one of her twin boys in her arms while the other rested peacefully in a bassinet nearby. She'd given birth two weeks ago and everyone has been supportive.Her recovery over the past few months had been nothing short of miraculous, and the glow on her face was proof of the happiness she had found. She and Brandon had grown close, their bond deepening as they shared stories and leaned on each other through the ups and dow
A WEEK LATER...The sky was painted in shades of soft blues and blush pinks, with the occasional puff of cloud dotting the horizon. Birds soared high, their wings glinting in the sunlight, as if celebrating alongside the hundreds of guests below. There was something in the air—something gentle and full of love, as though the universe itself was smiling down on this day. The slow ringing of bells hummed throughout the city, the sound weaving its way through the streets and gardens where the wedding was about to take place.The garden itself was like something out of a fairytale. A vast space covered in greenery, with towering trees draped in delicate white flowers. Tiny twinkling lights were strung between the branches, looking magical. The path leading to the altar was lined with blooming roses in every color imaginable, reds and whites swirling together like a painter’s masterpiece. Chandeliers hung from the arches, their crystals catching the sun, reflecting rainbows onto the guests
They made it through every storm, and now, they would live to love and cherish.*****With Aldo's help and Ethan’s connections, it didn’t take long to find Nana. Ethan and Brandon were stepping out of the car, breathing in the damp, cold air of Ireland as they looked at the modest house ahead. Ethan already disliked the neighbourhood. He hadn’t seen his sister in years, and he wasn’t sure how he’d react. He squeezed Brandon’s hand, a nervous energy running through him.Brandon, ever the optimist, linked arms with him and smiled. “We’ll handle this together,” he whispered.The porch creaked beneath their feet as they walked up to the door. Ethan raised his hand, knocking with a hesitation he wasn’t used to feeling. A few moments passed, and finally, the door creaked open.“Na—” The name caught in Ethan’s throat. The woman standing before him, her body hunched as if she'd age five times more. She barely resembled the sister he once knew. But her eyes—those distinct, beautiful blue eyes
Collins stood in front of Brandon, his smile warm, though his eyes held scars and sadness of years lost. His suit, while simple, fit him perfectly, and despite everything he had been through, he looked healthier, more at ease than Brandon had seen in years. There was something peaceful about him now—a quietness that only comes with closure.“He’s just trying to be nice,” Collins said, grinning at Brandon. “But I’ll tell you, your man really went all out to find me. Ethan had me tracked down, got me out of that mess I was in. Then he hired one of the best lawyers in the country. We’re still working on clearing my record entirely, but it’s in motion.”Brandon looked at Ethan, his heart filled with gratitude. He had known Ethan was working behind the scenes to find his father, but he hadn’t realized the lengths Ethan had gone to. It was overwhelming, this outpouring of love, this commitment to not just him but his family.“I... I don’t know what to say,” Brandon whispered, his voice catc
One moth later...A month had passed, and the world outside felt a little less dangerous. The sun hung high in the sky, its warmth spilling over the quiet garden outside Ethan's home. The smell of fresh herbs filling the air, and the birds sang in the trees, oblivious to the trials that had brought Brandon and Ethan to this moment. Inside the house, you could perceive the scent of warm bread and sizzling bacon, the morning routine continuing as usual.Brandon stood in the kitchen, setting out breakfast with careful hands, his mind only half-focused on the task. His heart, though, had never been more full. He glanced toward the living room where Ethan sat, propped up on the couch, still pale but improving with every day. There was color in his cheeks now, though he was often feverish, and his wound—a constant source of worry—had gotten infected twice in the past few weeks. But with a team of specialists and round-the-clock care, Ethan was healing.In the beginning, it had been terrifyi
In the midst of the chaos, a strong hand suddenly grabbed Elizabeth’s arm, yanking her away from the crane’s remote. The container stopped just inches above the crumpled car, leaving Brandon shaken but still alive. His breaths were ragged, his body trembling with fear. He would never forget surviving this near-death experienceEthan’s knees buckled beneath him, the adrenaline fading as the blood loss caught up. He exhaled sharply, fighting to stay conscious, but the world was spinning. Strong arms caught him before he collapsed completely, and through his fading vision, he saw Carter’s worried face hovering above him."We got here just in time," Carter said, his voice calm but his eyes filled with concern. "Hang on, Ethan."Ethan’s voice was faint. "Brandon… is he okay?"Carter nodded, glancing toward the car where medics were pulling Brandon out. "He’s fine. You saved him."Ethan closed his eyes for a moment, the exhaustion too much for him to handle. He had fought with everything he
Noah’s expression darkened. "She found out about my real business—human trafficking, organ harvesting. She was going to expose me. And yes, I killed her with my own hands. She wasn’t afraid of me. She loved you more than she ever loved me." His voice took on a cold edge. "So I made her pay for it."Grief and anger choked Ethan. "She was five months pregnant, Noah. Pregnant with your son. She was everything I ever wanted in a mother, and you took her from me.""I can have as many children as I want, Ethan. But if I were caught, my business, my reputation—everything I built would be gone. I won’t be taken down because of some woman."Brandon, from the crushed remains of his hope, couldn’t stay silent. "It’s always been about you, hasn’t it, Noah? Your ego. Your reputation. You destroyed my family and yours because all you care about is power.""Shut your mouth, bitch," Elizabeth snapped, slapping him hard across the face. "You know nothing about power."Ethan, his voice hoarse from the
Ethan’s fist landed with brutal precision, sinking into Ethan’s stomach. Ethan doubled over in pain, gasping as he felt the burn spread through his abdomen. His hand instinctively flew to the spot, feeling the sting of fresh blood where the wound was."You son of a bitch," Ethan spat between ragged breaths, his eyes burning with defiance.Noah, towering over him with a twisted smirk, gripped Ethan’s jaw, forcing him to look up. "How dare you call me mad, you son of a whore? A mere slave," Noah growled, tightening his hold.Ethan laughed bitterly, the sound more of a wince than amusement. "I see you’ve gone mentally unstable too, father," he mocked. "How am I the son of a slave? Last I checked, you were just a sperm donor. And as for being a slave, well, maybe to your greed, your adultery, and your lies."Noah’s eyes flared, and his grip on Ethan’s jaw tightened, making it difficult for him to speak. "I made you," Noah hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "And I’ll break you.""You’v
Ethan staggered forward, his hand pressed against his stomach, trying to stanch the bleeding. Outside, it began to rain.His breath came in ragged bursts as he pushed through the sheets of rain that poured down on him. Brandon was just ahead, darkness in the storm, sprinting as though he could outrun everything crushing him from behind."Brandon, wait!" Ethan’s voice was hoarse, almost swallowed by the roaring wind and rolling thunder. Each step sent a fresh jolt of pain through his body, but he kept moving, forcing himself onward. He had to catch him.Brandon didn’t stop. He didn’t even slow down. His feet pounded against the pavement, faster and faster, as if the rain pouring over his face was washing away the memories—the lies, the betrayal, all of it. His chest burned, and his heart screamed louder than the storm, but he couldn’t stop now. He wouldn’t.Ethan’s words cut through the rain. "I didn’t kill anyone, Brandon!" His voice broke, desperate.Brandon spun around, his face twis