Ethan leaned against the backrest of the wheelchair, his face impassive as Emma wheeled him into the spacious therapy room. The faint scent of disinfectant lingered in the air, mingling with the hum of muted conversations and the soft rustle of medical equipment. The room was bright, with sunlight streaming through large windows, but Ethan’s mood remained as cold and distant as ever.“This is ridiculous,” he muttered under his breath, his fingers gripping the armrests of the wheelchair tightly.Emma, pushing the wheelchair from behind, heard his complaint but chose to ignore it. Over the past week, she had grown accustomed to his grumpy remarks. If anything, she found them oddly amusing—though she’d never admit that to him.“It’s only ridiculous if you don’t try,” she replied, her voice light but firm.Ethan glanced over his shoulder, raising a brow. “I don’t need therapy. I’ve survived worse things.”Emma rolled her eyes, stopping the wheelchair near a padded therapy table. “Survivin
Ethan couldn’t shake the feeling of Emma’s lips on his, no matter how hard he tried. Every time he closed his eyes, the memory of her soft touch and the warmth of her presence flooded back, leaving him restless. The kiss had been unexpected, yet it stirred something deep inside him, something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in years.Sitting in his wheelchair, Ethan stared out the large window of his study. The world outside moved on, the gentle sway of the trees and the distant hum of city life a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within him.Emma entered quietly, carrying a tray with his breakfast. She set it down on the small table near him, her expression neutral as if nothing had happened.“You didn’t eat dinner last night,” she said, her tone more matter-of-fact than concerned.Ethan turned his gaze toward her, his sharp blue eyes narrowing slightly. “I wasn’t hungry.”“Well, you’re eating now,” she replied firmly, pulling out the chair across from him and sitting down.He
The tension between Ethan and Emma seemed to have taken on a new form. There was an unspoken understanding now, a strange but comforting dynamic that both terrified and intrigued them. Despite the moments they shared, the reality of their situation loomed heavily over them. Ethan had grown accustomed to Emma’s presence—her nagging, her care, her persistence. But as much as he hated to admit it, she was the anchor he hadn’t known he needed. And yet, the circumstances of their marriage continued to haunt them both. That morning, as Emma prepared breakfast in the kitchen, Ethan wheeled himself in. He watched her move around, her focus entirely on the sizzling pan before her. “You’re getting a little too comfortable here,” he remarked, his tone teasing but his expression unreadable. Emma turned to face him, her hands on her hips. “If you’d prefer burnt toast and black coffee every day, I can step back and let you fend for yourself.” Ethan smirked, the corners of his lips twitchin
Emma sat in the small garden outside Ethan’s mansion, the cool morning air brushing against her skin. She had come out for a moment of peace, a chance to process the whirlwind of emotions that had taken over her life. But peace was a rare luxury in her world.The events of the past few weeks had been exhausting. Between managing Ethan’s therapy, dealing with her family’s constant meddling, and hiding her identity as a doctor, Emma felt like she was standing on a tightrope, one wrong step away from disaster.Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Ethan’s wheelchair approaching. He stopped a few feet away, his eyes fixed on her.“You’ve been quiet today,” he remarked.Emma looked up, forcing a small smile. “Just thinking.”Ethan raised a brow. “Dangerous habit.”She rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a chuckle. “You’re one to talk.”For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the tension between them easing.That afternoon, Ethan received another call from Oliver. The share
The morning light filtered through the grand windows of Ethan’s study, illuminating the space as Emma placed a fresh cup of coffee on his desk. Ethan, deep in thought, barely noticed her presence. His focus was on the stack of documents in front of him, proposals for the new company he and Oliver were building from the ground up.“Ethan,” Emma called softly, breaking his concentration.He looked up, his eyes tired but sharp. “What is it?”She hesitated, her fingers nervously gripping the edge of the desk. “You’ve been working nonstop. You need to take a break. Your health—”“I don’t have time for breaks,” Ethan interrupted, his tone brisk. “This company is my only chance to prove I’m still relevant.”Emma frowned, crossing her arms. “You won’t be able to prove anything if you collapse from exhaustion.”Her bluntness caught him off guard, and for a moment, he stared at her. Then, to her surprise, a faint smile tugged at his lips.“You really don’t hold back, do you?”“Not when it comes
The soft patter of rain against the windows created a soothing rhythm in the sprawling mansion. Ethan sat in the study, staring out at the storm. His fingers drummed against the armrest of his wheelchair, lost in thought. He couldn't shake the words Emma had said to him days ago: "You don’t have to hide from me, Ethan. Not anymore."Her unwavering support had begun to chip away at his carefully constructed walls. For years, he'd kept everyone at arm's length, protecting himself from betrayal and disappointment. But Emma was different. She wasn’t afraid of his anger or his imperfections.“Lost in thought?” Emma’s voice broke through the silence.Ethan turned to see her standing at the door, a soft smile on her face. She carried a tray with tea and biscuits, an odd but endearing habit she’d picked up since moving in.“A little,” he admitted.Emma set the tray down and took a seat across from him. “Anything you want to talk about?”He hesitated, his gaze flicking to her. “Do you ever thi
The early morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the mansion, casting warm streaks of light onto the polished floors. Ethan sat at the breakfast table, his wheelchair angled slightly away from the head of the table. Emma moved around the kitchen, her apron tied tightly around her waist as she flipped pancakes with practiced ease.Ethan’s gaze lingered on her, noticing the way the light caught in her hair, making it shimmer. She wasn’t just beautiful—she was radiant. For the first time in years, he felt a strange pull, a longing for something more than the cold, calculated life he’d been leading.“You’re staring,” Emma said without turning around, a teasing lilt in her voice.Ethan smirked, leaning back in his chair. “Maybe I’m just hungry.”Emma glanced over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow. “Hungry for what? Pancakes or something else?”Her boldness caught him off guard, and for a moment, he was speechless. The sound of her laugh broke the tension, and she turned back to th
The air in the mansion felt heavy, tension brewing like a thunderstorm on the horizon. Ethan spent most of his day in the study, poring over files and taking calls from Jake. His expression was a blend of frustration and determination, the weight of his company’s struggles pressing down on him.Emma, on the other hand, did her best to create a semblance of normalcy. She cooked meals, arranged his therapy schedule, and even tried to distract him with small moments of levity. But she couldn’t ignore the shadows under his eyes or the sharpness in his tone whenever the topic of the board’s betrayal came up.“Ethan,” Emma said softly as she entered the study late that afternoon. He was seated at his desk, his wheelchair pulled close to the edge, papers spread out in front of him.He glanced up, his eyes weary. “What is it, Emma?”“You’ve been in here all day. You need to take a break. Come outside with me, just for a few minutes.”Ethan sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I don’t have time
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