The ride back to Ethan’s home was quiet, tension thick in the air. Emma sat in the driver’s seat, her grip tightening on the wheel as she stole glances at the rearview mirror. Beside her, Ethan sat, his sharp gaze fixed ahead, his usual icy demeanor clouded by unease.“Ethan,” Emma said, her voice trembling, “there’s a car following us.”Ethan’s jaw tightened as he turned his head slightly, catching sight of the black SUV trailing them. Its headlights cast sharp beams through the rear window, unwavering in their pursuit.“Stay calm,” Ethan said, his tone measured but commanding. “Turn at the next intersection and see if they follow.”Emma nodded, her heart pounding as she took a sharp right. The SUV mimicked her move instantly.“They’re not even trying to be subtle,” she muttered, her grip on the wheel tightening.Ethan’s eyes darkened. “Head toward the main road. If they try anything, witnesses will deter them.”Emma’s mind raced, her hands slick with sweat. “Do you think this is abo
Ethan sat in his study, the message on his phone glaring back at him like a threat carved into stone. His hands tightened around the device as he reread the ominous words: “This isn’t over. You’re next.”He had faced adversaries before, ruthless business rivals, jealous insiders, even the whispers of betrayal within his own family, but this was different. This wasn’t just about him; it was a direct attack on everything he had left.His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door. He quickly locked his phone and straightened up.“Come in.”Emma stepped inside, a folder in her hand and an air of determination about her.“I thought you might want to see this,” she said, setting the folder on his desk.Ethan raised an eyebrow. “And what exactly am I looking at?”“Rehabilitation plans,” Emma said, pulling up a chair. “I know we’ve been working on exercises, but this is more structured. If we stick to this, you could be walking again sooner than you think.”Ethan’s expression hard
The boardroom was silent, the air heavy with tension as Ethan rolled into the meeting. His wheelchair glided across the polished floor, the sound of its movement reverberating in the otherwise quiet room. Heads turned, some looking surprised to see him, others carefully avoiding his piercing gaze.The shareholders sat in a semi-circle, their expressions ranging from apprehensive to outright smug. Among them, Jason Carter, one of the most influential shareholders, leaned back in his chair with a self-satisfied smirk.Ethan’s eyes locked on Jason, his presence commanding even from a seated position.“Ladies and gentlemen,” Ethan began, his voice cutting through the room like a blade, “I trust there’s a good reason for this unscheduled meeting?”Jason cleared his throat, leaning forward as if he’d been waiting for this moment. “We wanted to discuss the company’s future, Mr. Johnson. Considering recent setbacks, some of us believe a change in leadership might be in the company’s best inte
The black rose sat on Ethan’s desk, its dark petals a chilling contrast to the bright morning sunlight filtering through the window. The note that accompanied it was now tucked into his drawer, but its message lingered in the air like an unspoken threat.Emma stood near the window, arms crossed, her brows furrowed in thought.“We can’t ignore this,” she said, breaking the silence. “Whoever sent that message knows where you live, Ethan. They’re making this personal.”Ethan leaned back in his wheelchair, his fingers steepled in front of him. “That’s exactly what they want, to rattle us. But I won’t give them the satisfaction.”“Rattled or not, this is serious.” Emma turned to face him, her expression resolute. “We need to figure out who’s behind this before they escalate.”Ethan nodded, his jaw tightening. “I already have Caleb working on it. He’s the best at digging up dirt, and he won’t stop until he finds something useful.”Emma hesitated, then added, “What about me? I could help.”H
The boardroom at Johnson Industries was a storm of chaos. The tension was palpable, the air thick with unspoken accusations and veiled threats. Ethan sat at the head of the table, his wheelchair a silent reminder of the battles he was fighting both physically and professionally. His cold, sharp gaze swept across the room, silencing murmurs and commanding attention. Caleb stood behind him, arms crossed, his presence a formidable one. Emma, however, remained seated at Ethan’s side, her resolve unwavering as she faced the board members who had once supported Ethan but were now turning their backs. “We’ve reviewed the reports,” one of the senior board members, Mr. Gaines, began cautiously. “And it’s clear that the recent leak has caused significant damage to the company’s reputation.” Ethan leaned forward, his tone icy. “The leak wasn’t caused by me. It was caused by Jason Carter. He’s the one who sold our confidential data to our competitors.” Gaines hesitated. “Even if that’s true, t
The boardroom lights dimmed, leaving Ethan to face the flickering light of the projector. The evidence Caleb had presented had been damning, yet it wasn’t enough to shift the tide. Jason Carter sat smugly at the far end of the table, his arrogance grating against Ethan’s every nerve.“I’ll have the auditor verify the files,” Mr. Gaines finally said, his hesitant voice cutting through the tense silence.Ethan’s cold laugh echoed in the room. “Verify? That will take weeks, time Jason will use to bury any trace of his betrayal.”Jason leaned forward, feigning concern. “Ethan, I understand you’re under a lot of pressure, but baseless accusations won’t solve the company’s problems. Perhaps it’s time you stepped aside for the sake of Johnson Industries.”Caleb slammed his hands on the table. “You’re the problem, Jason, and you know it!”“Enough!” Gaines snapped, rubbing his temples. “This infighting is tearing us apart. Until further notice, Jason remains acting CEO. This meeting is adjourn
The leaked article sent shockwaves through Johnson Industries. Overnight, whispers turned into roars as speculation about Project Zenith dominated headlines and boardroom discussions. Ethan's already precarious position became even more fragile, and his enemies saw this as their chance to strike the final blow.Emma paced the length of the study, her mind racing. “This leak wasn’t an accident, Ethan. Someone wanted to sabotage you before you could present Project Zenith on your terms.”Ethan sat by the window, his sharp eyes scanning the distant city skyline. His usual calm was strained, his mind replaying the events that had led to this moment.“Jason,” Ethan muttered, his voice a low growl. “He must have leaked it. Who else would benefit from tarnishing my name further?”Caleb, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke. “We need to find out how he got the files. That information was supposed to be classified.”Ethan nodded. “Start digging. I don’t care what it takes, fi
Ethan’s office plunged into a tense silence. Caleb’s revelation hung in the air like a heavy storm cloud waiting to break.“Inside the family?” Ethan repeated, his voice cold, deliberate.Caleb nodded, his unease palpable. “I traced the leaked files to a personal login. It belongs to... your cousin, Mason.”Ethan’s jaw clenched. Mason, the younger cousin who had always hovered in the background, was never fully trusted but tolerated because of family ties. Ethan’s fingers tightened on the armrest of his wheelchair, his knuckles white.Emma’s eyes darted between them, her stomach knotting. She didn’t know much about Ethan’s family, but she could see this betrayal hit deep. “Mason? Why would he do this?”Caleb sighed. “Mason’s been working with Jason for months. It seems they’ve been planning to oust Ethan together. They’ve both been siphoning company funds and leaking confidential information to weaken your position.”Ethan’s eyes darkened, the fury in them barely restrained. “Where is
The room was filled with a sense of quiet anticipation as the hours ticked on. The sterile smell of the hospital and the steady beep of machines were the only sounds breaking the silence. Emma’s contractions had become closer, sharper, and there was no doubt now that the baby was ready to make its grand entrance into the world.She lay back on the bed, drenched in sweat, her breathing labored but steady. Ethan was right there, holding her hand with a firmness that grounded her, as if reminding her that together, they could handle anything. His eyes were full of admiration for her strength, even though the anxiety in his chest was almost unbearable.He kissed the back of her hand, his voice low and soothing. “You’re doing amazing, Emma. Just a little longer, okay? We’re almost there.”Emma gave him a weak but determined smile, squeezing his hand in return. It was overwhelming, this entire experience. But as the pain surged again, she focused on him, on the love they shared, on the fami
The days leading up to Emma's due date were a whirlwind of final preparations. The nursery was perfect, everything from the soft blue walls to the cozy crib. Emma had gone through every possible checklist, from baby clothes to diapers, and the little stuffed animals that would line the shelves, each one symbolizing the new life they were about to welcome into the world.But as much as Emma wanted to feel ready, she couldn't shake the restlessness that had settled in her chest. She was about to become a mother, a role she had never fully imagined for herself until recently, and while she was excited, she was also terrified. The thought of holding their baby, of everything changing, felt overwhelming at times.Ethan had been nothing short of a rock. He was there at every doctor's appointment, his hand always in hers, offering her words of reassurance even when he was anxious himself. He made sure she rested, even when she was eager to start cleaning or organizing the house for what seem
The days were blending into one long stretch of anticipation. Every morning, Emma would wake up to Ethan’s gentle kisses on her forehead, feeling the warmth of his love as he checked in on her and the baby. It had been several months since they’d received the news, and though Emma had grown used to the idea of becoming a mother, it still felt surreal at times. There were moments when she would find herself staring at her reflection in the mirror, wondering if she was truly ready for the next chapter of her life.It was the middle of the week when Emma felt the baby kick harder than ever before. Startled, she pressed her hand to her belly, feeling the fluttering movement beneath her fingertips. The baby had been moving regularly, but this sensation was different, stronger. For a moment, she marveled at the feeling, but then a wave of anxiety washed over her. She hadn’t experienced anything quite like this before, and she couldn’t help but wonder if it was a sign of something.Ethan had
The days were growing warmer, the air thick with the promise of spring, and Emma felt the subtle changes in her body—new aches, new demands from the life growing inside her. As much as she had initially dreaded the idea of giving up her independence, of needing to rest and take it easy, she had found solace in the quiet moments of the past weeks. Time had slowed down, and she could finally catch her breath.Ethan had been her rock, more attentive than she ever could have imagined. His love for her was evident in every action, from the way he’d sit beside her for hours, just talking about their future, to how he’d insist on doing everything for her, even when she tried to push back. The pregnancy had created an even deeper bond between them, and despite the uncertainty they both felt about their future, Emma knew one thing for sure: they were in this together.But she still had her moments of doubt. She couldn’t help but worry about the transition. Would they really be able to handle i
The weeks that followed Emma’s doctor’s appointment were filled with tension and uncertainty. Bed rest had become a part of her daily routine, and while she appreciated the extra attention from Ethan, she couldn’t shake the feeling of helplessness that had settled within her. She had always been independent, able to take charge of her own life, but now, she felt like she was drifting in a sea of unknowns, with only Ethan’s steady presence keeping her afloat.Ethan had taken time off from work to be with her, his usual drive and focus diverted entirely to her and the baby. He was always there, sitting beside her, talking to her, reassuring her that everything would be okay. But Emma could see the way the weight of responsibility was beginning to take its toll on him. His jaw was set in a permanent line of determination, his brow furrowed as if the entire world rested on his shoulders.One night, after dinner, as they sat together on the couch in the dim light of their living room, Emma
The days were ticking by at an increasingly rapid pace, and with each passing moment, Emma and Ethan’s anticipation for their baby’s arrival grew. There were moments of quiet joy, of course, but underneath it all, there was a sense of urgency that neither of them could ignore. It wasn’t just about getting the nursery ready or finalizing baby names anymore—it was about preparing their hearts, their minds, and their lives for a huge, life-changing shift.Ethan had grown more introspective in the last few weeks. He was known for his relentless drive, his unwavering determination, but with the baby on the way, he began to think more about his legacy—about what kind of father he wanted to be, what kind of role model he would become. He was used to being the one who solved problems, who called the shots, who dominated the room. But now, as he stood next to Emma, his hand resting gently on her round belly, he realized that nothing he had ever done in his life would compare to the responsibil
The days passed by quickly, and with each one, the anticipation of the baby’s arrival grew. Emma and Ethan had settled into a routine of baby prep, work responsibilities, and, most importantly, supporting each other. Emma couldn’t help but marvel at the transformation in Ethan. Gone was the cold, business-focused man she once knew, replaced by a softer, more caring version who made her feel secure and loved. And although the thought of becoming parents still filled her with a mixture of excitement and fear, there was an undeniable sense of peace in knowing they were in this together.It was early one morning, just after sunrise, when Emma found herself staring out the window, contemplating the future. She hadn’t felt this content in a long time. As she gazed at the city skyline, she thought about everything they had been through—the heartbreak, the misunderstandings, the doubts—and how far they had come. She had come to understand that the road ahead would never be perfect. There woul
After months of navigating through emotional roller coasters and the weight of unspoken fears, Emma and Ethan were finally finding their balance. It was as if, for the first time in a long while, the storm that had been brewing around them had begun to settle. Life, though still uncertain and filled with challenges, seemed a little more manageable. The chaos at work was slowly becoming a distant memory as they both focused on what truly mattered—their future together and the baby they were about to welcome into the world.The first step was clearing up the mess they had both found themselves in at work. It had always been a struggle to balance their personal and professional lives, but they knew things couldn’t continue that way—not with a baby on the way. It was time to face their responsibilities head-on.Ethan had been working tirelessly to ensure everything at his company was in order. The pressure of his position had never been more intense, but he knew it was no longer just abou
The days were starting to feel like a blur. Emma tried to stay focused, but the constant thoughts of the future—of the baby, of her relationship with Ethan, of what it all meant—kept intruding on her daily life. The weight of uncertainty seemed to follow her wherever she went, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that she was losing control.The baby was growing, and with each passing day, it felt more real. The appointments were becoming routine, but the intensity of the emotions she was feeling seemed to heighten. She was happy, she was scared, and, at times, she felt completely overwhelmed.Ethan was more present than he had ever been, but even his reassuring presence didn’t quite silence the fear that plagued her. He kept his promises, always saying that they would face this together, but Emma couldn't help wondering—what if that wasn’t enough? What if she wasn’t enough?As she sat on the edge of their bed, staring at the reflection of herself i