Ethan's POVAs I drove to Elena's place, my mind was a million miles away. I was thinking about Victoria's words, about the possibility that I might not be the father of Elena's child. I was thinking about Elena, about our past and our present. I was thinking about everything, and yet, I was thinking about nothing.My mind was a jumble of emotions and thoughts, and I couldn't seem to focus on anything. I was driving on autopilot, my body going through the motions while my mind was elsewhere.As I drove, I found myself getting more and more anxious. What would I find out when I got to Elena's place? Would I finally get the answers I was looking for?But as I turned a corner, I realized that I wasn't even sure where I was going. I had been driving for so long, lost in my own thoughts, that I had forgotten where I was supposed to be going.I pulled over to the side of the road, feeling a sense of frustration and anxiety. What was I doing? Why was I driving around in circles. As I sat th
Ethan's POVElena smiled weakly as I sat down next to her. "Daniel, Ethan, I'm so happy you're both here," she said, her voice trembling slightly.I nodded, trying to reassure her. "We're here for you, Elena. What's going on?"Elena took a deep breath and closed her eyes, as if collecting her thoughts. "I've done the paternity test," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.I felt a surge of anticipation, my heart racing with excitement. "Okay, so who's the father?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.Elena opened her eyes and looked at me, her expression serious. "Just calm down first, let me gather myself," she said, taking another deep breath.Daniel, who had been quietly observing the scene, suddenly spoke up. "Elena, do you need some water?" he asked, his voice low and soothing.Elena shook her head, but Daniel got up anyway and handed her a glass of water. I watched him, feeling a surge of irritation. What was wrong with this guy? Why was he being so caring and a
Ethan's POVI walked into my house, still feeling like I was on cloud nine. The news that I was going to be a father was still sinking in, and I couldn't wait to share it with my best friend, Ruben. I pulled out my phone and dialed his number, excitement coursing through my veins.Ruben answered on the first ring, and I could hear the sound of music and laughter in the background. "Hey, man, what's up?" he asked, his voice cheerful.I took a deep breath, savoring the moment. "I've got some news to share with you," I said, trying to contain my excitement. "I'm going to be a father!"There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, I wondered if Ruben had heard me correctly. But then, his voice erupted in a loud whoop. "That's amazing, man! Congratulations!"I grinned, feeling a sense of joy and relief wash over me. It was great to share this moment with my best friend. "Thanks, man," I said, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Ruben. "I'm still in shock, to be honest.
Elena's POVI sat on my bed, staring blankly at the wall as I tried to process the news. The paternity test results had confirmed what I had been dreading - Ethan was the father of my child. Not Daniel, the man I loved and had been with for so long.I felt a pang of guilt and sadness as I thought about Daniel. He had been so excited about the possibility of being a father, and now...now he was facing the harsh reality that the child wasn't his. I knew he was hurting, and it broke my heart.But what could I do? I couldn't change the results of the paternity test. All I could do was try to make things right, or at least, try to make things less wrong.I got up from my bed and began to pace around my room. I needed to see Daniel, to check on him and make sure he was okay. I knew he was probably feeling lost and alone right now, and I wanted to be there for him.I took a deep breath and grabbed my phone, dialing Daniel's number. It rang a few times before he picked up, his voice sounding
Elena's POV Daniel leaned back on the couch, a relaxed expression on his face. "You know, I've been thinking," he said, his voice casual. "We've been through a lot together, but I realize I don't really know much about you."I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean?" I asked, playing along.Daniel shrugged. "I mean, we met in a...complicated way, and then everything that happened with the pregnancy and the paternity test...I feel like I've gotten to know you in bits and pieces, but I don't really know the whole story."I smiled, feeling a sense of curiosity. "I think that's fair," I said. "I mean, I don't really know much about you either."Daniel's eyes lit up with interest. "Really?" he asked, leaning forward. "What do you want to know?"I thought for a moment, trying to decide where to start. "Well, for starters, what do you do for a living?" I asked, my eyes locked on his.Daniel smiled, a hint of pride in his voice. "I'm a Architect," he said. "I work for a firm here in
Elena's POV I walked out of Daniel's apartment, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. Our conversation had been exactly what I needed - a distraction from the stress and anxiety that had been weighing me down.As I walked down the street, I pulled out my phone to check the time. But as I glanced at the screen, my heart skipped a beat. Six missed calls from Mia.My mind started racing as I quickly dialed Mia's number. What if something had happened to her? What if she needed me and I wasn't there?Mia answered on the first ring, her voice sounding frantic. "Elena, where have you been? I've been trying to reach you for hours."I felt a surge of worry. "I'm so sorry, Mia. I was at Daniel's and I didn't have my phone on. What's going on?"Mia hesitated, and for a moment, I thought I heard her sniffle. "I need you to come home, Elena. Now."My heart started racing as I quickly scanned my surroundings. I was already halfway to the bus stop, but I knew I had to go back. Something was wron
Elena's POVMia walked over to me, concern etched on her face. "Elena, what happened? You were at Daniel's, right? What did he say to you?"I took a deep breath, trying to process everything that had happened. "I was at Daniel's, and we were just talking. He was being really sweet and understanding, and I was feeling okay. But then I saw all the missed calls from you, and I knew something was wrong."Mia nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. "I'm so sorry, Elena. I was trying to reach you, but you weren't answering your phone. I was getting really worried."I felt a pang of guilt for not being there for Mia when she needed me. "I'm sorry, Mia. I wasn't feeling really strong this morning, so I was just taking some time for myself."Mia nodded understandingly. "It's okay, Elena. I get it. But then Ethan showed up, and...and everything just fell apart."I frowned, feeling a surge of anger towards Ethan. "What did he do, Mia?"Mia hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. "He was yel
Elena's POVThe next morning, I woke up feeling a bit more refreshed after a good night's sleep. I decided to check in on Mia, who was still sleeping in her room. As I entered her room, I noticed that she was snuggled up under the blankets, looking a bit pale.I frowned, concern etched on my face. "Mia, are you okay?" I whispered, trying not to wake her up.But Mia didn't stir. She was fast asleep, and I could see that she was breathing heavily, as if she was congested.I decided to make her a hot cup of tea, hoping that it would help soothe her throat and ease her congestion. As I worked in the kitchen, I couldn't help but think about how Mia always took care of me, and now it was my turn to return the favor.Once the tea was ready, I carried it back to Mia's room and gently shook her awake. "Mia, wake up. I made you some hot tea."Mia slowly opened her eyes, looking groggy and disoriented. "Elena...what time is it?" she croaked, her voice hoarse from sleep.I smiled and handed her t
Ethan's POVThe second I saw her, my body tensed. Shit.I turned away immediately, keeping my head low as I swiftly walked in the opposite direction. I couldn’t afford for Elena to see me. Not here. Not now. I wasn’t in the mood for another conversation, another round of her acting like she needed “space” while she was out here doing whatever the hell she wanted.It was a miracle she hadn’t noticed me. Maybe she was too distracted, or maybe she just wasn’t paying attention. Either way, I wasn’t about to stick around and find out.I took a deep breath as I moved toward the dairy section. Since I was already here, I might as well get milk too. I didn’t trust the maids to pick the right brand—just like my coffee, they always managed to bring back something else.Just as I reached for a carton, a voice cut through the low hum of shoppers.A voice I’d recognize anywhere.“Elena, what’s up?”I froze, my grip tightening around the milk. My entire body went rigid, and a cold wave of disbelief
Ethan’s POVAs soon as the Tech Lexis team left, I let out a slow breath, leaning back in my chair. The meeting had gone as well as it could have. We had secured a reasonable compromise, minimized risks, and ensured that our interests were protected. It was a win, but there was no time to sit back and relax.Business never slowed down, and neither could I.Christina was already flipping through her tablet, preparing for the next set of tasks. “Alright,” she said, tapping the screen. “Next on the agenda—reviewing the quarterly budget allocation. Finance needs your final sign-off before the numbers are locked in.”I nodded and reached for the thick report sitting on my desk. Flipping through the pages, I scanned the key figures, noting the increased expenditure on infrastructure upgrades. “IT expenses are higher than projected,” I murmured, running a finger down the spreadsheet.Christina leaned in slightly, adjusting her glasses. “Yeah, we upgraded our internal security systems and clo
Ethan's POVAs soon as I stepped into the office, the air shifted—less personal, more business. That was exactly what I needed. Work had always been my escape, my anchor, and today was no different.I strode through the sleek, glass-paneled halls, nodding at a few employees who greeted me as I passed. Their voices were distant, background noise to the thoughts I was trying to keep at bay. I didn’t need distractions. I needed focus."Good morning, Mr. Carter," Christina, my secretary, greeted me as I stepped into my office. She was standing near my desk, a tablet in her hands, already prepared with today’s schedule. Always efficient."Morning," I replied, setting my briefcase down. "What do we have today?""You have a meeting with Tech Lexis at ten. They’re finalizing the software integration deal, and they’ve made some modifications to the contract. Legal has already reviewed the changes, but they’ll need your final approval before we move forward," she informed me, scrolling through
Ethan's POVEverything felt numb.I sat there, staring at nothing, my mind an endless loop of questions that had no answers. How? When? Why? It didn’t make sense. It couldn’t make sense. One moment, I thought I had something real with Elena, and the next… this. The lies, the betrayal, the realization that I had been nothing more than a fool in some twisted game I never signed up for.I should be angry. Furious. I should be storming over to her place, demanding answers, making her look me in the eye and tell me why she did this. But what would that change? What difference would it make to hear her lie again?Because that’s all she ever did. Lie.A slow exhale left my lips, my shoulders slumping under the weight of it all.Victoria, who had been yabbing non-stop, finally sighed and softened her tone. "Okay, Ethan, that’s enough for tonight."I didn’t respond. I didn’t even move. My body felt too heavy, my thoughts too tangled.She must have noticed, because she reached out, her fingers
Ethan’s POVI never thought heartbreak would feel like this.Like a hollow ache settling deep in my chest, stretching its fingers into every part of me. Like my whole world had shifted under my feet, leaving me standing on nothing.Elena had been lying to me. Not just once. Not just a slip-up or a mistake, but for who knows how long. Every word, every touch, every promise—I had believed it all, swallowed it whole like a fool. And the worst part? I hadn’t even seen it coming.Daniel.The name alone made my hands clenched into fists. Of all people, it had to be him. Well I never trusted him with her so… but he was someone I never really saw as a threat. She loved him. Maybe she always had, and I had just been the convenient distraction, the placeholder until she could have what she truly wanted.I exhaled shakily, running a hand down my face. I should be angry. I should want to scream, break something, do anything but sit here drowning in my own thoughts. But I couldn’t. The anger was t
Ethan's POVVictoria lets out a bitter laugh, shaking her head as she glares at me. “It’s Elena, isn’t it?”I chuckle dryly, leaning back against the bed. “Yeah, right.”She scoffs, rolling her eyes. “I knew it. It shows all over your stupid face.”My jaw tightens. “Why are you insulting me? It’s not my fault.”“It is your fault,” she snaps, turning to fully face me now, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “Because you’re stupid, Ethan. You’re blind. And you’re being played.”My brows furrow. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”Victoria laughs again, but there’s no humor in it. Just frustration, just anger, just something that looks a little too much like hurt.“After everything I’ve done,” she mutters under her breath, shaking her head. “This is what I get.”I exhale sharply, rubbing my temples. “Victoria, what are you even talking about?”She lifts her gaze to me then, and there’s something sharp in her eyes, something unreadable. “Don’t you see?” she demands. “Can’t you
Ethan's POVVictoria’s voice is barely a murmur in the dimly lit room. "I have something to tell you," she says, her fingers tracing light patterns against my chest.I sigh, my exhaustion weighing me down like a boulder. "What is it?" I ask, my voice flat, void of interest.She doesn’t answer—not with words.Instead, she leans in, closing the small space between us.And then she kisses me.Soft. Slow. Deliberate.For a split second, my mind blanks out. My body freezes, my breath caught in my throat. I don’t react, don’t move—don’t even process what’s happening.Because I don’t know how.Every defense mechanism I should have—every instinct to pull away, to push her off—is completely off-key. Dead. Silent.I just sit there, numb, lost in the sheer sensation of it.When was the last time I was kissed?Really kissed?Not a quick brush of lips. Not something shallow or distant.Elena.The answer slams into my chest harder than I expect.Elena was the last person I kissed. But Elena wasn’t
Ethan's POVI barely get ten minutes of peace. Just as I’m on the edge of sleep, drifting into much-needed rest, I hear the door press open. A slow, quiet creak that instantly pulls me from my exhaustion.My eyes snap open, and I already know who it is before I even turn my head.Victoria.Gawddddd. Did they send this girl to me?I groan, dragging a hand down my face in sheer frustration. "What now, Victoria?" I mutter, my voice hoarse with exhaustion. "What do you want?"And then I see it.The towel.The white towel loosely wrapped around her body, her damp skin glowing slightly under the warm bedroom light. Her long, wet hair falls over one shoulder, and she’s standing there like she owns the damn place.I exhale sharply, wishing—wishing—I had locked the damn door.I sit up, rubbing my temples as I glare at her. "Victoria, what the hell are you doing?" I ask, my tone dripping with annoyance. "And why the hell are you dressed like this in my house?"She tilts her head, completely unf
Ethan's POV Victoria leans back into the couch like she owns the place, a smug smile playing on her lips as she crosses her legs. "Last time I checked, I can visit whenever I want."I shut the door behind me, letting out a low breath as I loosen my tie. "Last time I checked, we're not dating, married, or soulmates, so no, you can't just come whenever you want," I shoot back, my tone clipped. "We broke up, remember? Your access to all those sacrosancts is limited now."She laughs, soft and mocking, tilting her head as she looks at me like I’m some child throwing a tantrum. "Oh, Ethan, don’t be so tough on yourself, baby," she purrs, standing up and sauntering toward me like she hasn’t just crossed multiple boundaries. "You look tense. Looks like you had a stressful day, anyway." She tilts her head slightly. "How was work?"I hiss under my breath, already tired of this game. "Cut to the chase, Victoria. What do you want?" I throw my keys onto the console table by the door, shrugging of