The days following the board meeting passed in a blur for Ethan. He was buried in work, pouring himself into every contract and deal to avoid the one thing he couldn’t shake: Emma.Her laughter, her stubbornness, and the way she always seemed to know what he needed before he did, it all lingered in his mind like an unwanted melody. He hated how she was breaking through walls he’d spent years building.Today was no different. Ethan was in his home office, sorting through endless documents, when a knock on the door startled him.“Come in,” he said, his voice sharper than he intended.Emma poked her head through the door, her expression wary. “You’ve been holed up in here all day. Thought you might need a break.”“I’m fine,” he replied curtly, though the stiffness in his shoulders betrayed him.Emma stepped in anyway, carrying a tray with a steaming cup of coffee and a plate of sandwiches. “I don’t take ‘no’ for an answer. You should know that by now.”Ethan sighed, pinching the bridge o
The morning sun streamed through the large windows of Ethan’s office, casting long shadows across the pristine mahogany desk. Ethan sat behind it, staring at the pile of reports that Jake, his assistant, had just delivered.“Another hit,” Jake muttered, his voice low and hesitant. “The competitor managed to underbid us again, and we lost the contract with Vega Industries.”Ethan’s jaw tightened, the familiar sting of frustration coursing through him. It wasn’t just the Vega deal. Over the past few weeks, his company had been bleeding opportunities, the losses stacking up one after another.“How the hell are they always one step ahead of us?” Ethan growled, slamming the report onto his desk.Jake flinched but didn’t respond immediately. Finally, he said, “There’s talk that someone on the inside might be feeding them information.”Ethan’s eyes darkened, his fingers drumming against the desk. “And yet, you’ve found no leads?”“We’re trying,” Jake replied quickly. “But whoever it is, they
The morning after the board meeting was unusually quiet. Ethan sat at the edge of his bed, staring at the sunlight pooling on the hardwood floor. His wheelchair was parked by the dresser, and he could hear faint sounds of Emma moving around downstairs.For the first time in years, the weight of helplessness pressed against his chest like a lead blanket. He clenched his fists."Pathetic," he muttered under his breath.A soft knock interrupted his thoughts."Come in," he said curtly.Emma entered, carrying a tray with breakfast. She hesitated near the door, unsure of his mood."You didn't come down for breakfast, so I thought I'd bring it up," she said tentatively.Ethan looked at the tray, then back at her. "I don't need to be babied, Emma."She raised an eyebrow. "It’s not about babying you. It's about making sure you don’t skip meals because you’re sulking."His sharp retort died on his tongue as her words struck a nerve. Sulking? He was furious, not sulking."Fine," he muttered, whe
The morning sunlight streamed into Ethan’s room as he sat quietly by the window, his wheelchair positioned in its usual spot. Emma walked in, carrying a clipboard and a determined expression. She wasn’t wearing her usual casual clothes today; instead, she had on a crisp white coat that made her look every bit the doctor she secretly was."Good morning," she said, her voice brisk yet warm.Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You’re awfully chipper for someone about to fail."Emma rolled her eyes, placing the clipboard on the bedside table. "I’ll ignore that comment for now because we’ve got work to do. Today’s the day we start working on getting your legs functional again."Ethan’s eyes darkened. "Emma, we’ve talked about this. My legs are beyond repair. I’ve been through enough specialists to know that this isn’t going to happen."Emma crossed her arms, her chin lifting defiantly. "And none of those specialists had me."Ethan blinked at her audacity, caught between irritation and grudging admir
Ethan sat in his study, staring at the scattered documents on his desk. His wheelchair creaked slightly as he shifted. Each page detailed another loss: revenue drops, canceled deals, and the ongoing investigation into the breach at his company. The board's decision to remove him as CEO was still a fresh wound, one that stung his pride more than he cared to admit.Emma walked in quietly, carrying a plate of sandwiches. She placed it on the desk and leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.“You’ve been in here all day,” she said gently.Ethan didn’t look up. “I don’t have the luxury of taking breaks, Emma. If I don’t figure out who’s behind this mess, I’ll lose everything I’ve built.”Emma approached him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “You haven’t lost everything, Ethan. And you’re not in this alone.”He glanced up at her, his eyes filled with a mix of exhaustion and gratitude he didn’t know how to express.Together, they spread the documents across the table, sifting th
The sun had barely risen when Ethan found himself in his study again, staring at the evidence that had landed in his lap overnight. The anonymous tip detailed every move Richard Clarke had made, from the offshore accounts to the meetings with competitors. The evidence was damning enough to expose Richard, but Ethan was wary.“Why now?” Ethan muttered, running a hand through his hair. His suspicion lingered. Whoever had sent the evidence clearly had their own agenda.Emma entered the room carrying a breakfast tray, her eyes lighting up as she saw Ethan deep in thought. “Good morning, Sherlock. Solving mysteries this early?”Ethan glanced up, a rare smirk tugging at his lips. “I might have a lead.”Emma set the tray down, leaning over his desk to examine the documents. “Is this about Richard?”Ethan nodded. “This is enough to take him down, but it’s too convenient. Someone’s helping me, but I don’t know why.”Emma placed a hand on his shoulder. “Maybe it doesn’t matter. You need this wi
Ethan sat in his office, his hand clenched tightly around the mysterious message. The words had been running through his mind all night, replaying like a haunting melody.“Congratulations on your victory, Mr. Johnson. But the game isn’t over yet.”Whoever had sent it clearly intended to keep him on edge. The victory over Richard had been hard-won, but this message suggested an even larger game at play.Emma entered with her usual confidence, carrying a steaming cup of coffee. “Good morning, boss. Or should I say, CEO?”Ethan gave her a tired smile. “Morning, Emma.”She placed the coffee on his desk and noticed the paper in his hand. “Another cryptic message?”Ethan nodded. “It’s like someone’s playing chess, and I’m the king they want to corner.”Emma leaned against the desk, her brow furrowed. “Do you think it’s connected to Richard?”“Maybe,” Ethan said, his voice thoughtful. “Or maybe this is bigger than him.”Emma crossed her arms, her expression determined. “Then we need to figur
Ethan stared at the email on the screen, his chest tightening as the weight of its contents bore down on him. The file attached wasn’t just any document, it was a detailed report on his accident, filled with discrepancies that hadn’t been part of the official investigation. Emma stood beside him, her brows furrowed as she read the lines over his shoulder. “This… this can’t be right,” she murmured. Ethan’s hand hovered over the mouse. “It says the brakes were tampered with,” he said, his voice low and laced with disbelief. “That wasn’t in the final police report.” Emma placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Do you think this is real? Could someone have done this deliberately?” Ethan’s jaw tightened. “I’ve made enemies, Emma. Plenty of them. But this…” He shook his head, leaning back in his chair. “This changes everything.” The next morning, Ethan met with Caleb in a quiet café, far from the prying eyes of the office. “You think someone sabotaged your car?” Caleb asked, h
The silence between them stretched as Ethan’s confession lingered in the air. Emma didn’t press him further; she knew from experience that forcing him would only make him retreat deeper into his shell. Instead, she stood and began pushing his wheelchair again, letting him set the pace of their conversation.As they rounded a corner of the garden, the estate's sprawling fountain came into view. The cascading water glimmered under the late afternoon sun, creating a serene atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the storm of emotions Ethan was wrestling with.Emma broke the silence, her tone light but meaningful. “You know, when I was a kid, I used to think fountains were magical. I thought if you tossed in a coin and made a wish, it would come true.”Ethan arched a brow, his lips curving slightly. “And how many wishes did you make?”“Countless,” she admitted with a soft laugh. “Most of them were silly—like wishing for endless chocolate or a pony. But there was one I made every time.”“W
The gentle hum of birds in the garden wasn’t enough to silence the storm brewing in Ethan’s mind. Emma walked beside him, her hand lightly resting on the handle of his wheelchair. She had insisted on pushing him, despite his protests, claiming it was “therapeutic” for them both.Ethan, for once, relented.The garden was sprawling and serene, the afternoon sun casting golden streaks across the well-manicured hedges and blooming flowers. Emma guided him along the cobblestone path, her chatter filling the silence he was so used to.“And you wouldn’t believe the amount of trouble I got into sneaking textbooks into my room,” Emma said with a soft laugh. “My parents thought I was obsessed with novels, but in reality, I was devouring medical journals.”Ethan glanced at her, intrigued despite himself. “You really went through all that to study medicine?”Her smile faltered briefly, but she nodded. “It was the only thing that made me feel alive—like I had a purpose. Being the unwanted daughter
The day unfolded with a tense stillness that neither Ethan nor Emma dared to break. He had retreated to his office, burying himself in work, while Emma busied herself with household tasks. But the unspoken words between them lingered like a storm cloud, threatening to break at any moment.By afternoon, Emma decided she couldn’t take the suffocating silence any longer. She found Ethan in his office, his wheelchair angled toward the large mahogany desk cluttered with files. His brow was furrowed in concentration, but she could tell he was using work as an excuse to avoid their earlier conversation.“Ethan,” she said, stepping into the room.He didn’t look up. “If this is about breakfast—”“It’s not,” she interrupted, her voice steady. “It’s about us.”Ethan’s hand stilled over a document, his jaw tightening. He sighed and finally looked at her. “There is no ‘us,’ Emma. I thought I made that clear this morning.”She crossed her arms, refusing to back down. “You don’t get to decide that o
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft, golden hues across the spacious bedroom. Ethan stirred awake, his sharp mind quickly remembering the events of the night before. He turned his head to find Emma still fast asleep, her face relaxed in peaceful slumber.For a moment, he allowed himself to admire her, the way the morning light caught in her hair and softened her features. She looked so different from the stubborn, opinionated woman who often challenged him. Vulnerable, even.What am I doing? he wondered, a pang of uncertainty creeping into his chest. This wasn’t part of his plan—letting anyone in, letting her in.He carefully moved to sit up, his legs still lifeless and frustratingly uncooperative. The wheelchair sat by the bedside, a reminder of his limitations. Ethan’s jaw tightened as he transferred himself to the chair, a motion he had perfected out of necessity.He didn’t notice Emma stir awake until her soft voice broke the silence.“You’re up early.
Ethan sat alone in his study, the faint hum of the city below barely registering in his mind. The meeting had taken more out of him than he cared to admit. His hands rested on the wheels of his chair, his body rigid with unspent tension.Emma’s words from earlier lingered in his mind: You’re not alone anymore.He clenched his jaw. What did she know about loneliness? About survival? Yet her stubborn determination to stand by him, even when he pushed her away, made him question everything he thought he knew about relationships.A soft knock broke the silence.“Come in,” he said, his voice sharper than intended.The door creaked open, and Emma stepped in cautiously. She was dressed in casual attire, a stark contrast to the poised professional who had accompanied him earlier.“Ethan,” she began, her tone tentative, “I know you hate interruptions, but I couldn’t sleep. I thought…” She trailed off, holding up a tray with two mugs. “Coffee?”He stared at her, unsure whether to send her away
The sun peeked through the curtains of Ethan's penthouse, casting a golden hue over the sleek, modern decor. Emma stirred on the couch, her medical journals scattered across the coffee table, evidence of another late night spent studying. Her peaceful slumber was broken by the faint hum of Ethan's wheelchair as he maneuvered into the living room.He paused at the sight of her, her hair slightly disheveled and her expression serene in sleep. A flicker of warmth crossed his usually stoic features, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared."You're going to ruin your back sleeping there," he said, his voice firm but quieter than usual.Emma jolted awake, blinking groggily before registering his presence. "Good morning to you too," she mumbled, stretching."You have a bed, Emma," Ethan said, rolling closer.She shrugged, giving him a sheepish grin. "The couch was closer to the coffee. Priorities."Ethan let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head. "Get up. We have a meeting in two hours."Emma
The air inside the warehouse was heavy, each breath feeling like a gamble as Vincent’s mocking smirk widened. Ethan’s men held their weapons steady, but the tension was palpable—one wrong move could send the situation spiraling out of control.“You always did like theatrics, Vincent,” Ethan said, his voice calm despite the sniper’s laser dot still hovering over his chest.Vincent chuckled, casually walking closer, his hands in his pockets. “And you always liked pretending you were untouchable. Look where that’s gotten you.”“Right where I want to be,” Ethan replied coolly.The room fell silent, save for the faint hum of the building’s lights. Vincent stopped a few feet from Ethan, his predatory gaze locked onto him.“You’re bluffing,” Vincent said, narrowing his eyes.“Am I?” Ethan raised an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly.Before Vincent could respond, a faint buzz came from Ethan’s earpiece—a signal Jake had set for when reinforcements were in position. Ethan’s lips twitched into
The first crack of thunder echoed through the city as rain lashed against the towering windows of Ethan’s penthouse. The storm outside was a fitting backdrop to the chaos brewing within. Ethan, Emma, and Jake gathered around the large dining table, which was now cluttered with files, maps, and photographs.Vincent Kane’s face stared back at them from every angle, his cold, calculating eyes a constant reminder of the enemy they faced.“He’s already making his move,” Jake said, breaking the tense silence. He placed a laptop on the table, showing a live feed from one of their surveillance drones. “Vincent’s men have been spotted near the docks. It looks like they’re smuggling weapons.”Ethan leaned forward, his sharp gaze fixed on the screen. “How many?”“At least two dozen men, heavily armed,” Jake replied.Emma, standing behind Ethan, frowned. “Why the docks? What’s he planning?”Ethan’s jaw tightened. “He’s building his arsenal. Preparing for a full-scale assault.”“On you?” Emma aske
The victory over Harold should have brought relief, but instead, it left a lingering unease in Ethan’s heart. The penthouse was quieter now, the once-bustling team having left to rest. Ethan wheeled himself to the large window overlooking the city. The glowing skyline reminded him of everything he’d fought for and everything he still had to lose.Emma entered the room, holding a tray with two steaming mugs of coffee. “You should be resting,” she said, setting the tray on the coffee table.Ethan didn’t turn around. “Resting is for people who don’t have enemies lurking in every shadow.”Emma sighed, sitting on the couch and gesturing for him to join her. “The team did a great job tonight. Harold’s in custody, his operations dismantled. You’ve won.”“For now,” Ethan replied, finally turning to face her. “Harold was just one head of the hydra. Cut off one, and two more grow in its place.”Emma frowned, leaning forward. “You think someone will step in to fill his void?”Ethan nodded. “I do