Ethan Johnson sat in his study, the air thick with tension. The fire crackled in the background, casting an orange glow on the walls, but the warmth did little to thaw the ice in his demeanor. His cousin, Caleb Walker, leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, observing Ethan with a mixture of curiosity and exasperation.
“So, this is what it’s come to?” Caleb said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Married off to some stranger like a pawn on a chessboard? The mighty Ethan Johnson, reduced to this.” Ethan’s eyes flicked up, dark and unreadable. “If you came here to gloat, save your breath.” “Gloat?” Caleb pushed off the doorframe, stepping further into the room. “I’m not here to gloat. I’m here because I care. Or did you forget that we’re family?” Ethan let out a bitter laugh. “Family? The same family that shoved me into this farce of a marriage to save their precious reputation? Don’t insult my intelligence, Caleb.” Caleb sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. “You think I agreed with their decision? You think I didn’t fight for you?” Ethan’s gaze hardened. “Not hard enough, clearly. Or maybe you realized it was easier to side with them than with the broken cripple.” “That’s not fair, and you know it.” Caleb’s voice was sharp now, his frustration evident. “You’re not the only one who lost something after the accident, Ethan. Do you think it was easy for me to watch you spiral, to see you push everyone away?” Ethan’s jaw tightened, his knuckles white as he gripped the armrests of his wheelchair. “You have no idea what it’s like to lose everything that defines you. My legs, my future, my pride—gone in an instant. So don’t stand there and pretend to understand.” The room fell silent, the only sound the crackling of the fire. Caleb stared at Ethan, his expression softening. “You’re right,” Caleb admitted. “I don’t understand. But what I do know is that wallowing in self-pity won’t get you anywhere. And neither will blaming Emma for something that isn’t her fault.” Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “Emma?” “Yes, Emma,” Caleb said firmly. “The woman you married, the one who actually seems willing to try and make this work. Have you even given her a chance?” Ethan scoffed. “She’s just as much a pawn in this as I am. This marriage isn’t real, Caleb. It’s a business deal, nothing more.” “Maybe it started that way,” Caleb said, leaning closer, “but that doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. You’re so busy pushing her away that you can’t see what’s right in front of you.” Ethan’s gaze faltered for a moment, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. But he quickly buried it beneath his usual stoicism. “I don’t need a lecture on my marriage,” he said coldly. “If you’re done, you can leave.” Caleb studied him for a long moment, then shook his head. “You’re a stubborn idiot, Ethan. But I’m not giving up on you. Not yet.” As Caleb turned to leave, he paused at the door, glancing back over his shoulder. “By the way, I looked into the breach at the company. It’s worse than we thought.” Ethan’s head snapped up, his eyes sharp. “What do you mean?” “There’s evidence that someone inside the company is working with a competitor,” Caleb said grimly. “And whoever it is, they’ve been careful. No loose ends, no obvious trails. It’s like they want us to know they’re there but can’t be caught.” Ethan’s jaw clenched. “Do you have any leads?” “Not yet,” Caleb admitted. “But I’ll keep digging. Just… watch your back, Ethan. Whoever’s behind this isn’t playing games.” Ethan nodded, his expression unreadable. “I’ll handle it.” Caleb hesitated for a moment, then sighed. “Take care of yourself, cousin. And maybe, just maybe, try trusting someone for once. You might be surprised.” With that, Caleb left, the door clicking shut behind him. Ethan stared at the closed door, Caleb’s words lingering in his mind. He didn’t trust easily, he couldn’t afford to. But as he turned his attention back to the papers on his desk, a single thought nagged at him. Who was the traitor? And was it possible that the breach was connected to his new wife?Ethan sat motionless in his study, staring at the folder Caleb had left behind. The dim light from the desk lamp cast long shadows on the walls, creating an oppressive atmosphere. Caleb’s words rang in his ears: Someone inside the company is working with a competitor.He drummed his fingers on the armrest of his wheelchair, a habit he had picked up after the accident. His sharp eyes scanned the documents in front of him. Each page held numbers, transactions, and encrypted emails. It was clear whoever was behind this wasn’t careless—they were meticulous, calculating.The betrayal cut deeper than he was willing to admit. Ethan had rebuilt Johnson Industries from the ground up after his father’s passing. He had sacrificed everything to protect the family name, even after the accident had left him at his lowest. And now, someone close to him was trying to destroy it all.A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.“Come in,” Ethan said curtly, not looking up.The door creaked open, and Emma st
The sun peeked through the tall windows of the Johnson mansion, casting long streaks of light on the polished floors. Emma paced in her room, her mind swirling with what she’d seen in Ethan’s study the night before. She had barely slept, the weight of the folder’s contents pressing heavily on her chest.Why was my father’s name on those documents?Her father had been out of her life for years, a ghost from her troubled past she had long tried to forget. Yet, seeing his name listed among suspicious transactions tied to Ethan’s company made her stomach churn with unease.She clenched her fists. She needed answers, but asking Ethan was out of the question. His icy demeanor and sharp accusations the night before had left no room for trust.Downstairs, Ethan sat at the breakfast table, staring blankly at the untouched plate of food before him. His mind replayed the scene in his study, Emma standing frozen, guilt written all over her face.He didn’t believe in coincidences. Emma’s sudden in
The moon hung high in the night sky, its silvery glow illuminating the Johnson estate. The air was crisp and carried the faint scent of roses from the nearby garden. Emma stood on the balcony connected to her room, her thoughts tangled as she stared at the sprawling grounds below.Her father’s name in Ethan’s company files, Ethan’s constant mistrust, and her own secrets—it was all becoming too much. She needed clarity, but most of all, she needed to breathe.The sound of footsteps behind her made her stiffen. She turned to see Ethan standing in the doorway, his silhouette framed by the soft glow of the hallway light. He leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed, his sharp eyes focused on her.“You’re not asleep,” he said, his tone neutral.Emma sighed, turning back toward the garden. “Neither are you.”He stepped onto the balcony, the cool night air brushing against his face. For a moment, they stood in silence, the tension between them palpable.“What are you thinking about?” Et
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Ethan’s room, casting golden hues across the elegant yet minimalist space. Ethan sat on the edge of his bed, his brow furrowed as he stared at the calendar on his phone.His trusted aide, the one who assisted him with his morning routines, had called out sick, leaving Ethan in an unusual predicament. While most people could handle their mornings on their own, his leg disability complicated things—especially when it came to something as simple as taking a bath.Emma, unaware of his current dilemma, knocked lightly on his door before stepping in with a cheerful, “Good morning!”Ethan glanced up, his face instantly adopting his usual cold demeanor. “What do you want?”Emma ignored his tone, as she had grown accustomed to it by now. “I was coming to check on you. Breakfast is ready, but you didn’t come downstairs.” She paused, noting the subtle tension in his posture. “Is everything okay?”“It’s fine,” he replied curtly, shifting uncom
Ethan woke up the next morning with a sense of unease, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on why. Maybe it was the way Emma had managed to breach his defenses the day before, her genuine care and kindness leaving cracks in the icy fortress he had spent years constructing.It didn’t help that his dreams had been filled with flashes of her laughter, her teasing smile, and the gentle touch of her hands as she bathed him. He shook his head, attempting to push those thoughts aside. He couldn’t afford distractions, especially not from someone like Emma, who was far too good at meddling in his life.As he pushed himself into his wheelchair, his gaze flickered toward the bathroom. A part of him dreaded running into Emma this morning, afraid of how awkward things might be after their shared moment of vulnerability.But fate, as always, had other plans.Emma was humming to herself as she moved around the kitchen, flipping pancakes with practiced ease. The smell of freshly brewed coffee fil
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 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