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
Ethan sat in the therapy room, his hands gripping the armrests of his wheelchair as he watched Emma prepare for his session. The faint sound of classical music played in the background—a habit she insisted on to help him relax during their time together.“You seem tense today,” Emma said, glancing over her shoulder with a small smile.Ethan exhaled, his jaw tightening. “There’s a lot at stake. The company’s future depends on how I handle things this week.”Emma walked over and crouched in front of him, her gaze steady and warm. “One step at a time, Ethan. You don’t have to do it all at once.”His lips twitched into a faint smile. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one trying to stand on legs that don’t listen.”“True,” she replied with a teasing glint in her eyes. “But I am the one who’s going to make sure you get back on those legs, no matter how stubborn you are.”Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re relentless, you know that?”“Part of my charm,” Emma quipped, standing and r
The air between them was charged, thick with an unspoken tension that had been building for weeks. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast soft shadows across the room, highlighting the taut line of Ethan’s jaw and the uncertain flicker in Emma’s eyes. She stood by the edge of the bed, her hand gripping the corner of the blanket nervously, while Ethan sat propped against the headboard, his gaze locked on her.For once, Ethan’s usual guarded expression was absent. Instead, his eyes held a vulnerability that Emma had never seen before, a mixture of longing and fear, as if he were terrified of letting her in yet unable to resist her pull.“Emma,” he murmured, his voice low and hoarse, “you don’t have to do this.”“I know,” she whispered, stepping closer until she stood mere inches from him. Her heart pounded in her chest as she searched his face, her resolve firming. “But I want to.”Her words seemed to shatter the invisible barrier between them. Ethan reached out, his fingers brushing aga
The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the bedroom. Ethan stirred awake, his arm instinctively reaching for Emma, only to find her side of the bed empty. For a moment, panic flickered in his chest. Had last night been a dream? Had he imagined the connection they’d shared?Then the faint sound of clattering dishes from the kitchen reassured him. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Emma was still here.Ethan propped himself up, wincing slightly as his leg throbbed with its usual ache. The night’s intimacy had left him feeling lighter, but the physical reminders of his accident were still present. Determined not to let his disability define the moment, he reached for his crutches and maneuvered himself out of bed.As he entered the kitchen, he found Emma standing by the stove, humming softly to herself. She was dressed in one of his oversized shirts, her hair slightly tousled from sleep. The sight made something tighten in his chest—an un
The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the living room. Emma sat on the couch with her notebook, her brows furrowed as she jotted down ideas for Ethan’s therapy plan. Each step was meticulous, designed to ensure his recovery was steady and effective.She glanced at the clock. Ethan’s session was scheduled to begin in ten minutes, and as usual, she was ready to face his grumbling about the exercises. Despite his protests, she could see the determination in his eyes every time he completed a session.Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Ethan’s crutches on the hardwood floor. He appeared in the doorway, his hair slightly disheveled and his expression unreadable.“Good morning,” she greeted, setting her notebook aside.“Morning,” he replied, his tone gruff but not unkind. He moved to the couch and sat down beside her, resting his crutches against the armrest.Emma studied him for a moment. There was something different about him today—an air
The days seemed to pass quickly, with Emma and Ethan falling into a rhythm. Therapy sessions, shared meals, and late-night conversations became their new normal. However, beneath the surface, Emma could sense Ethan's restlessness growing. He had always been a man of action, and being confined to his home was beginning to take a toll on him.One afternoon, as Emma helped Ethan through another grueling therapy session, she noticed his mind seemed elsewhere.“Ethan,” she said gently, “are you okay?”He exhaled sharply, setting the resistance band aside. “I’m fine.”She raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “You’ve been distracted all day. If something’s bothering you, you can tell me.”For a moment, Ethan said nothing. Then, with a reluctant sigh, he looked at her. “It’s the shareholders. I heard from Jake this morning that they’re moving forward with appointing a new CEO. Officially.”Emma’s chest tightened. “But... you’re the founder. They can’t just push you out like this.”“They ca
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