The morning after the dramatic boardroom showdown, the house was unusually quiet. Emma woke up to find Ethan already gone from his room. Concerned, she hurriedly freshened up and headed to his study. She found him sitting at his desk, his wheelchair tucked neatly under the table, papers spread out before him.“Ethan, it’s barely dawn,” she said, stepping inside. “Have you even slept?”He glanced up, dark circles under his eyes but a determined gleam in his gaze. “Not much. There’s too much to catch up on. I can’t afford to waste time.”Emma sighed, walking over to him. She rested a hand on the desk. “You’ve been pushing yourself nonstop. You just regained a foothold in the company. Take a moment to breathe.”Ethan leaned back in his chair, the tension in his shoulders barely easing. “Emma, the company’s still vulnerable. I need to ensure that every leak is plugged before someone else tries to take advantage.”Emma frowned. “And what about your recovery? Your health?”“I’m working on t
The next morning, Emma found Ethan in his study, a frown etched deep into his face as he stared at his laptop screen. His wheelchair was positioned by the window, the early sunlight casting a golden glow around him. He looked up when she entered, his expression softening ever so slightly.“You’re up early again,” she said, setting a cup of coffee on his desk. “Is something wrong?”Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Just going through the company’s finances. The mess left by the interim CEO is worse than I thought.”Emma sat on the edge of the desk, concern etched on her features. “Do you think you can fix it?”“I have to,” he replied firmly. “This company is my responsibility. But...” His voice trailed off, and he hesitated before continuing, “I found some discrepancies. Things don’t add up, and I’m starting to suspect foul play.”Emma’s eyes widened. “Foul play? Like embezzlement?”“Possibly,” Ethan admitted. “I’ve sent some files to a trusted investigator, but it’s goin
Ethan woke the next morning to the sound of birds chirping faintly outside his window. For the first time in months, his chest felt lighter, a sensation that puzzled him at first. Then he remembered the night before—the conversation with Emma, her quiet tears, and the unspoken promise of a fresh start between them.He turned his head toward the doorway, where the faint aroma of coffee wafted into the room. Moments later, Emma appeared a tray in hand with breakfast neatly arranged. She smiled at him, a soft, tentative expression that made his heart stir.“You’re up early,” Ethan said, his voice still husky from sleep.“I thought you could use a good breakfast before your therapy session,” Emma replied, setting the tray on the nightstand. “Today’s a big day.”Ethan’s jaw tensed. The idea of physical therapy always brought a mix of hope and frustration. Progress had been slow, and while he trusted Emma, he couldn’t shake the nagging doubt that he might never walk again.Emma seemed to se
Ethan woke with a start, his chest heaving as beads of sweat clung to his brow. The nightmare had been vivid—a replay of the accident that had stolen his mobility and changed the course of his life. He rubbed his face with trembling hands, his mind racing.The room was dark, save for the faint glow of the bedside lamp that Emma must have left on. He glanced at the clock; it was barely past three in the morning. He considered trying to fall back asleep but knew it would be futile. The haunting images of the crash, the screech of tires, and the deafening silence that followed wouldn’t let him rest.Shifting in bed, he noticed Emma’s faint silhouette on the couch across the room. She had been staying close ever since his therapy had intensified, ensuring he had everything he needed. Ethan’s chest tightened at the sight of her, curled up under a blanket, her face peaceful in sleep.He didn’t deserve her kindness.---The following morning, Emma stirred to the sound of Ethan’s wheelchair m
Ethan woke up the next morning feeling lighter than he had in months. His thoughts lingered on the events of the previous night—the kiss, the warmth of Emma’s presence, and the unspoken connection they had shared.For the first time since the accident, the ache in his heart seemed less overwhelming. A small smile tugged at his lips as he glanced at the clock. The day held possibilities, something he hadn’t felt in a long time.The sound of soft footsteps drew his attention. Emma walked into the room, her hair slightly tousled and a cup of coffee in her hands. She froze when she saw him staring at her, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.“Good morning,” she said, her voice gentle.“Morning,” he replied, his gaze never leaving her face.Emma hesitated for a moment before walking over and setting the coffee on the side table. “How are you feeling?”“Better,” he admitted. “I think I slept better last night than I have in weeks.”Emma’s lips curved into a smile. “That’s a good start.”--
The morning after their quiet, heartfelt dinner, the air between Ethan and Emma was thick with unspoken words. There was a comfort in the silence, a silent understanding that had blossomed between them. It was as if the distance that had once separated them—whether emotional or physical—had somehow lessened overnight.Ethan woke up early, as he had become accustomed to doing. The morning light filtered in through the window, casting soft shadows over the room. He had always been an early riser, but now, it felt different. The emptiness he had once felt was slowly being replaced by something warmer, something that made him look forward to the day ahead.As he sat up in his bed, he glanced toward the door, knowing Emma would be up soon. She had been more attentive to his needs than anyone ever had, despite all the hardships they had both faced. Her quiet determination had been his anchor, and he was beginning to realize just how deeply he had grown to depend on her.The sound of footste
The days passed by in a blur, each one blending into the next with the same routine. Ethan's therapy sessions continued, and Emma remained a constant presence, guiding him through his exercises with patience and care. Despite his frustration at his slow progress, there was something about her that kept him grounded. Her unwavering support was both a comfort and a source of guilt for him, as he knew he wasn't ready to reciprocate the feelings she might have for him.But as the days stretched on, Ethan felt something shift within him. The tension that had once been a barrier between them was beginning to fade. The air between them was lighter now, filled with an unspoken understanding. Emma had become more than just his caretaker. She was his companion, his confidant, and slowly, he began to realize that his feelings for her had grown beyond what he had initially anticipated.One evening, after a long day of therapy, Emma and Ethan sat on the couch, both too tired to speak much. The TV
Ethan woke up the next morning with a sense of calm he hadn’t felt in years. The lingering fatigue of his disability, the endless therapy, and the overwhelming pressure from the past seemed distant. The small, quiet moments he shared with Emma felt like his anchor in a sea of uncertainty. She had become more than just a caretaker, more than just a wife; she was his reason to move forward, even when everything seemed impossible.The sun was just beginning to peek through the curtains of their bedroom when Emma’s soft voice broke the silence.“Ethan,” she called, her tone gentle but warm.He turned to look at her, her face illuminated by the morning light, still soft with sleep. Her hair cascaded around her shoulders, messy but beautiful. She had a way of waking up that always left him mesmerized, like she was the calm in the storm of his world.“Good morning,” Ethan greeted her, his voice rough with sleep. He still wasn’t fully awake, but the sight of her brought a smile to his face.“
The confrontation with Emma’s parents left an unsettling feeling in the air. Though Ethan had driven them away, their presence was a reminder of the ghosts from Emma’s past—the people who had always seen her as nothing more than a pawn. But this time, she wasn’t alone. She had Ethan by her side.That morning, Emma found herself lost in thought as she prepared breakfast. She hadn’t expected Ethan to stand up for her so fiercely, and the way he had shut down her parents with no hesitation had sent a strange warmth through her chest.She was used to fighting her battles alone, hiding her pain behind a calm façade. But now, Ethan was fighting for her. Protecting her.“Thinking about yesterday?” Ethan’s deep voice pulled her from her thoughts.She turned to see him leaning against the counter, his sharp eyes studying her. His presence alone was enough to make her heart race.“I just didn’t expect them to show up,” she admitted. “And I didn’t expect you to—”“To throw them out?” he finished
The next morning, Ethan woke up feeling lighter than he had in years. The weight of his past mistakes and regrets still lingered, but they no longer crushed him. Instead, they served as reminders of how far he had come—and how much he still had to do.As he descended the stairs, he heard Emma’s voice in the kitchen. She was humming a soft tune while preparing breakfast, a domestic scene so peaceful that it momentarily took his breath away. For a man who had spent years cloaked in cold indifference, this newfound warmth was both unfamiliar and welcome.He entered the kitchen and leaned against the doorway, watching her. Emma turned around, her face lighting up when she saw him.“Good morning,” she greeted, handing him a cup of coffee.“Good morning,” Ethan replied, his voice unusually soft. He took a sip, savoring both the coffee and the moment.****Later that afternoon, an unexpected car pulled into their driveway. Ethan frowned as he glanced out the window, recognizing the sleek bla
Ethan sat by the large window in his study, staring out at the garden as the winter sun cast long, golden shadows on the frost-kissed grass. His once proud and commanding presence had been softened by months of rehabilitation and reflection. Yet, deep inside, the embers of his determination still burned, fanned by Emma’s relentless support.Emma entered the room with a steaming cup of tea in hand, her footsteps light but purposeful. She set the cup on the table beside him, her gaze lingering on his face. He looked better now—healthier, more alive—but the weight of his recent trials still rested heavily on his shoulders."How are you feeling today?" she asked gently, pulling a chair closer to him.Ethan turned to her, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Better, thanks to you. I’ve been meaning to say..." He paused, his fingers tracing the edge of the armrest. "You’ve done more for me than anyone ever has. I don’t know how I can repay you."Emma shrugged, her expression teasing. "You
The morning sunlight bathed the expansive Johnson estate in a warm glow, but inside Ethan’s office, the atmosphere was anything but serene. Ethan sat at his desk, his wheelchair positioned at an angle that gave him a clear view of the sprawling garden beyond the windows. Documents, spreadsheets, and reports were scattered before him, but his attention was miles away.Emma had become a presence he couldn’t ignore. Her voice, her laughter, even her sarcasm had carved a permanent place in his life. But this morning, she seemed different—quieter, distracted. He noticed it the moment she entered the room with a tray of breakfast."Good morning," she greeted, placing the tray on his desk.Ethan glanced at her, noting the faint circles under her eyes. "You didn’t sleep well," he observed.Emma shrugged, forcing a smile. "You’re not my only patient, you know. I had some late-night calls.""You could’ve woken me up," Ethan replied, his tone teasing but laced with genuine concern.Emma snorted.
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