The incessant buzzing of Ethan's phone pierced through the veil of his restless sleep. He groaned, reaching for the device with the intention of silencing it. As his bleary eyes focused on the screen, he scrambled to sit up on his bed, heart pounding."BREAKING: Renowned Poet Eliot Bassett Found Dead"Below the headline, a photo of Ethan and Eliot locked in an intimate embrace stared back at him. His breath caught in his throat. "No," he whispered, voice hoarse. "No, no, no."With trembling fingers, he dialed his most trusted sources, praying for a denial, a retraction, anything but confirmation. But with each call, the terrible truth solidified, settling like lead in his stomach."I'm sorry, Mr. Asher," Carter's voice quavered over the line. "It's been confirmed. Mr. Bassett was found in his hotel room early this morning. They're saying it was a heart attack, but there are whispers of foul play, and... and you're being implicated."Ethan couldn't hear the rest. The phone slipped from
Ethan was raging angry as he navigated through Seattle's rain-slicked streets. The confrontation at the funeral played on a loop in his mind, Sophie's accusations bouncing with each turn of the windshield wipers. He'd never prepared himself for a battle like this – one that threatened not just his company, but his very freedom.His phone rang, the sound amplified through the car's speakers. Amanda's name flashed on the display."Mr. Asher," her voice was tense, professional. "I've traced the source of the news leak. It's a small, underground outfit, barely on the radar. The owner claims someone paid them a hefty sum to run the story and provided the photos."Ethan's exhaled. His suspicions had been right – someone was pulling strings behind the scenes. But who? And why? "The photos," he mused aloud. "From the dinner that night. It could have been anyone there.""Sir?" Amanda's voice held a note of concern.Ethan shook his head, refocusing. "Thank you, Amanda. Send me everything you ha
Ethan stepped into the elevator, his shoulders tense from the whole drama. As the doors closed, he loosened his tie, eager to shed the day's fatigue. The elevator ascended smoothly to the executive floor, and he strode purposefully towards his office suite.Inside his private bathroom, Ethan stripped off his clothes and stepped into the shower. The hot water fell over him, washing away the dirt. As he lathered up, his mind went to Brandon for the first time since the chaos started. Tomorrow. Brandon would be back tomorrow, the time difference between Greece and Seattle working in his favor. How would Brandon react to seeing him after all this time? And how would he handle the recent allegations splashed across the headlines?Ethan shut off the water and toweled himself dry, pushing those thoughts aside for now. He had more immediate concerns to deal with.Freshly showered and changed into a new suit, Ethan came into his office to find Noah Asher waiting for him, a storm brewing in the
Brandon's return to Seattle was bittersweet. While the Greek sun still lingered on his skin, his mind was clouded with concerns. Britney's ceaseless social media updates about their trip had irked him, but it was the news of Ethan's predicament that truly weighed on his conscience.As their private plane touched down, Brandon made a quick decision. "Lornado," he called out, "please take Britney home. I need to head to the office.""Alright," Lornado agreed without complaining.Britney pouted, but Brandon just ignored the protest from her. He planted a quick kiss on her cheek before heading to the extra car that was meant to pick Lornado up, his mind already in chaos ahead of his return to Wings headquarters.The moment Brandon stepped into the office, he was met with countless welcome-backs and curious inquiries about his vacation. He navigated the attention with practiced charm, distributing souvenirs and offering brief anecdotes, all while his eyes continually darted towards the ele
The news broke like wildfire, spreading through the corridors of power with terrifying speed. Ethan sat in the boardroom, his attention barely focused on Gerald's projection of the deprecating stock market. The words were light as a feather, meaningless, as his mind tried to process the information that had just reached his ears. A sharp pain lanced through his chest as if shards of glass had suddenly pierced his heart.Without warning, Ethan stood, his chair scraping loudly against the hardwood floor. The board members turned to him in surprise, Gerald's words trailing off mid-sentence. But Ethan paid them no heed. He strode out of the room, his footsteps loud in the stunned silence he left behind.The elevator ride to the parking garage felt interminable. Ethan's fingers drummed against his thigh, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached. As soon as the doors opened, he burst out, making a beeline for his car. The engine roared to life, and he peeled out of the garage, tires squealing o
The hospital room seemed to shrink around them as Detective Chen's finished her words. Ethan could feel the tension radiating off Brandon, could see the slight tremor in his hands as he processed the implications of what they'd just learned. Despite the shock of the revelations, Ethan knew he had to step in and defend Brandon, not letting him get overwhelmed by the detective's relentless questioning.Drawing himself up to his full height, Ethan fixed Detective Chen with a steely gaze. His voice, when he spoke, was calm but carried an undercurrent of authority that could make anyone wither in his presence."Detective, I might not be an expert in law enforcement, but I'm certain that to collect data from someone's phone, you need a court order or warrant," Ethan stated, his tone measured. "Since Mr. Daniel here didn't receive a warrant and his consent wasn't sought, you've violated the Fourth Amendment - protection against unreasonable searches and seizures - as well as the Electronic C
Before leaving the hospital, Ethan had given strict orders to Carter and four other security guards stationed outside Brandon's room. No one was to enter without being thoroughly vetted, and even then, only with express permission. While Ethan was more than capable of handling himself in most situations, he recognized the need for additional security given the unknown threats they faced.Instead of heading back to the office or home, Ethan made his way to a quaint restaurant across the street from the hospital. The warm, inviting atmosphere soothing as opposed to the sterile hospital environment he'd just left.Approaching the counter, Ethan addressed the waitress with a determined look. "I don't know what he would find appetizing. Give me one of everything on the menu."The chubby waitress behind the counter couldn't hide her surprise, her eyes widening at the unusual request. But as she processed Ethan's words, her expression softened into a genuine smile. "Aww, whoever it is, they'
From the moment Britney got the news of the attack on Brandon, she hadn’t been able to stop crying. Just as she was settling into their house, she’d learned how close she’d come to losing him.The thought of nearly losing her brother haunted her, replaying in her mind like a nightmare she couldn't escape. As Lornado drove her home, her sobs filled the car, each one piercing him deeply. He hated to hear her cry, to see her so vulnerable and fragile. It tore at him, making him question why she couldn't be stronger.When they arrived home, Britney went straight to the bathroom for a quick shower, hoping to wash away the remnants of the day and the tears that had stained her face. She then headed to bed, but sleep wouldn't come. The day's events replayed in her mind, a relentless loop that she couldn’t escape. Restless, she climbed out of bed and headed to the kitchen, seeking something to calm her nerves—a snack or perhaps a drink.As she moved through the darkened apartment, the quiet m
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