Ethan stopped mid-air turning to me, his eyes softened immediately he caught mine."I am so sorry," he said walking towards me and lifting me like I weighed nothing, as I got into his arms I began to cry, he held me so tightly, the warmth of his embrace made me feel safe. "I am sorry" He repeated carrying me out of the office and moving straight to the elevator. "I am sorry you had to go through that" His voice laced with regret. I wrapped myself in his arms crying my eyes out, and without dropping me, he took me to the basement where his car was waiting.I felt too exhausted to offer to walk myself, letting him carry me all the way.As we got into the car, Ethan laid me down on the soft leather seat as I sunk into it, I tried so hard to stop crying but I couldn't, the fear of what could have happened coupled with the trauma of what happened felt like a wave. Ethan got into the car, picking my head up, and placing it gently on his lap. "Are we going to the hospital sir" I heard hi
"What happened?" I asked, my eyes widening as I stared at his bloody shirt, without thinking twice I lifted his hands, staring at the spiky punch ring, "What is this".Ethan quickly pulled his hands from my grip, pulling out the ring."I was exercising, and my instructor mistakenly got injured" he explained sounding firm and composed, I narrowed my eyes at him as it didn't make sense to me, who exercises with a spiky punch ring?I looked at his demeanor and he didn't flinch, I guess maybe it was true, I mean what else could it be?"Okay," I believed him. "Are you okay? what are you doing down here?" Ethan wondered. "I needed some air" I explained, still feeling worried about his blood-stained shirt. "This place is a little clustered right, why don't I get changed and we can go to the beach house instead" he suggested. I needed to change too I realized staring at the blanket I was wrapping like a veil. "Well, maybe I could just go home instead," I thought, there was no point follow
Is he okay?" I asked, and a warm smile appeared on Ethan's face. "You are such a sweet soul Emily" "Why don't you come down let's eat instead," He said dismissing my question.I did as I was told going down to the dining where Ethan had set the table for the two of us, like his son he was such a good cook. After eating the delicious pancakes Ethan made, we sat at the table talking and gisting.I had no idea how much Ethan and I had in common, from being an only child to the humble background. He told me about his life before he made his first Million and before he met Jake's mother. "You used to rap" I laughed as he told me a story of when they called him "The Cheetah of Brooklyn". "Yes" he bragged, winking his eyes, I laughed at the idea and could only imagine how his deep voice sounded in a rap song. "I can't imagine" I chuckled, I really couldn't."Were you good" I wondered still laughing at the idea. "The best, how do you think I scored the most beautiful woman in the whole
I felt like a fool begging for love from someone who just told me he had only ever loved one person minutes ago."No, I don't want anything from you," I said feeling a surge of anger, as I struggled to get to my feet. "What is going on Emily," Ethan asked, a confused expression on his face. "Nothing," I said, walking away carefully while he watched, he couldn't even follow me or try to lie to me. I picked up my phone from the kitchen counter not caring that I was dripping water everywhere in his house, before running upstairs to my room. As I got to my room I locked the door changing into dry clothes before picking up my phone, to scroll through the blogs again.As I looked through my phone, I saw several missed calls from an unknown number, thinking it was my mum who had promised to call me, I called the number back immediately. "Hello," I said as soon as the caller picked up, a minute of silence followed before the caller finally spoke. "Hello babe, I have missed you," Jake's
"What" I asked as my heart skipped a beat, "What did you just say" Tears began to stream down my eyes."The doctors aren't sure she would make it to the next day" Ethan's voice softened. I felt a sharp pain in my chest as tears began to stream down my eyes, I couldn't imagine life without my mother, it couldn't be."I need to get to Ashville" I realized as my stomach twisted, how could I be here when my mother was dying? "I know, I have called the pilot, he will be here soon," Ethan said, moving towards me as he sat beside me, I laid my head on his shoulder, clutching onto my burning heart as I cried."I can't lose her" I shook my head, I would be nothing without her.After 15 minutes the pilot came, and the helicopter took us to his jet, with Ethan holding my hands every step of the way we flew to Ashville. As soon as we got to Ashville a limo was ready to take us to the hospitalEthan held tightly onto my hands until we got to the hospital, as we got to the hospital he released m
"She is sleeping right?" I asked turning to Jake who didn't say a word, tears streaming down his eyes."Mama I know you are sleeping but can you please wake up" I said desperately picking up her hand and trying to make it stand on its own. Jake silently got up from his seat, going out to call the doctors.After minutes of talking to my mother, the doctors came in."She is sleeping' I whispered to the doctors as they walked in. I watched them run in checking her heart monitor and then her pulse. "You are making too much noise" I yelled at one of the doctors. "Why wouldn't you let her sleep Doctor" I berated them, the tears in my eyes drying up as I told myself that my mother was sleeping."Shh!" I made a hush sound putting my hands on my lips and asking everyone to be quiet. "If you talk too loud, you will wake her," I said in my moment of Insanity, I watched the nurse cover her face."Let her breathe" I snapped at the nurse wondering why she tried to suffocate my mother, I struggl
"Who?" My eyes widened as she introduced herself as Jake's mother. It was impossible, even Jake had no idea who his mother was. "Is this a joke?" I wondered. Why would Jake's mother suddenly show up and want to talk to me, isn't she supposed to be talking to her son first? "It's not dear, come in let's have a chat" she insisted, I looked around feeling reluctant about entering a stranger's car."Trust me" she assured me with a warm smile, her beautiful smile convinced me to enter and I did. "Are you really Jake's mother?" I asked as soon as I entered the limo, the smell of her nice soft perfume hitting my nose. "Yes dear" she replied, she sounded so elegant. I watched her pour a glass of pink champagne before handing it to me. "Does Jake know you are here?" I asked.I was certain he would be excited, he always spoke about how he wished his mother was present. "Have you always been here?" I questioned again, before she could answer the first question. I wondered if she had always
"I know you do" Ethan cut me off before I could say more. "You may not be sure how you feel about me, but I am, I know you love me too Emily," Ethan said so confidently. How could he be so sure? "It doesn't matter," I yelled feeling frustrated, everything about my feeling for Ethan was wrong."I just lost my mother, I think it's selfish that you are talking to me about love now" I scolded. "I really don't want you around me anymore, please go back to New York" I requested getting out of the car.I waited for him to say something but he didn't making me bang the car door before walking away. "See you tomorrow Emily" he yelled as I walked away. ******Two weeks later. "This is beautiful," Denise said staring at the painting I made of my mother, for the past two weeks I had been painting, it was a form of therapy for me. "You think so," I asked Denise, she and I had built a suddenly strange friendship, and I realized she wasn't that bad."Very beautiful, it looks just like her" De
"What are you waiting for? Don’t leave the poor guy hanging," my father teased, raising his fist in the air. "Say yes," he said, joining the chants. The moment those words left his lips, it felt like the world paused. Everything I had ever wanted, everything I had ever hoped for, was falling into place. My father’s approval was the last piece of the puzzle. With a heart full of joy, I turned to Ethan, my voice shaky with excitement. "Yes!" I said, extending my hand to him. Ethan's smile widened as he slid the ring onto my finger. He lifted me into the air, swirling me around, and I giggled, my heart fluttering with excitement. It was a moment of pure bliss, as though nothing else existed in the world but us. When he finally set me down, I noticed Jennifer walking toward me, a soft smile on her face as she held a beautiful white dress in her hands. "You always said you wanted to get married in your mother's dress," she said, holding out my mother’s wedding gown, now perfectly alte
"What's going on, Dad?" I asked, my voice rising above its normal pitch, my heart starting to race. "Just come home, Emily. Now!" he yelled, ending the call abruptly. I stared at the phone, my mind blank. What could possibly be the problem? I couldn't think of anything, except maybe, like my mother, my father was sick too. I took a deep breath, dialing Ethan's number to inform him that I was getting on the next flight to Ashville."My dad just called me. He sounded really panicked. I think something is going on, and I have to go home now," I said as soon as Ethan picked up the call."Is everything okay? Did he say what was wrong?" Ethan asked. I shook my head as if he could see me."No, he just said I should come home. I'm going to the airport now to get the first ticket home," I felt the need to keep him informed."Just hold on. I'll call the pilot to take you," Ethan said, reminding me that he had a private jet. "I'll call the driver to take you to the hangar right now," he added,
"Long story short, his parents aren’t dead," Ethan said as he pulled into one of his mansions."What?" I exclaimed. "Don't shorten the story! Please, tell me the full details," I demanded, watching him park in the underground garage.Ethan sighed and turned to face me. "Wayne’s parents are not dead," he repeated.I narrowed my eyes, waiting for more. "They're at the island," Ethan continued.My eyes widened. "When I took you to the island, I used the opportunity to see them. They've been hiding from Christof because he wanted them dead. They stole from both me and Christof," Ethan explained.I nodded, starting to piece things together. "And the video?" I asked.Ethan smiled. "Faked. It was a video I made to convince Christof they were dead. He was starting to doubt my kills," he said with a shrug."And you didn't tell me? You let me judge you all this time?" I said, feeling a pang of guilt."Your judgment wasn’t far from the truth. I have killed people, Emily," Ethan said, locking eye
"So, tell me," I said, staring at him, my eyes glistening with curiosity.Ethan smiled. "A very important person owed me a favor. When Rose called, I decided to cash it in," he said.I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Who is this very important person who could easily turn a death sentence into nothing?" I wondered aloud.Ethan chuckled. "That’s my little secret," he teased, and I smiled."But," he added, "it wasn’t exactly changed from a death sentence to nothing. Someone else took the blame."My eyes widened, and I shot him a sharp glance. "An innocent man took the blame for you? That’s not fair!" I scolded."I wouldn’t call him innocent," Ethan replied casually, his tone so nonchalant it made me roll my eyes."I thought you said you’ve changed," I huffed, folding my arms across my chest."I have changed," Ethan insisted, but I just rolled my eyes again."Then tell me exactly what happened," I demanded, noticing he was only giving me snippets of the story. My eyes stayed fixed on him,
"Please, let's be a family," Ethan pleaded, kneeling before me and pulling out the ring, the same ring he had proposed with over three years ago. I watched him, a weak smile tugging at my lips. "I don't think this is the best place to propose," I said softly, glancing around the hospital room. "Besides, the floor isn't exactly sanitary. Please, get up." I said everything except what he wanted to hear."Well, answer me so I can get up," he replied, a smile playing on his lips. I glanced over at Jennifer, who nodded, urging me to say yes. I looked back at Ethan, my sweet Ethan, still on his knees."I love you," I said slowly, "and I would love to have a family with you. But I can't marry you." The words felt heavy as they left my mouth. I helped him to his feet, but I could see the hurt in his eyes."Why not, Em?" Jennifer’s voice cut through the silence that followed my answer."Marriage is... too heavy," I explained, feeling the weight of my father’s disapproval bearing down on me.
"Then don’t do it," Jennifer urged softly, her voice steady but filled with concern. I shook my head, tears streaming down. "I have to," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I don’t have enough love to give them at the moment. They deserve more than a broken mother," I thought to myself. The nurse, standing nearby, remained silent, her face professional yet kind. She quietly placed her Doppler aside and handed me a tissue to wipe my tears. “You can head back to the doctor’s office,” she instructed gently. Jennifer and I both nodded, and we made our way down the hallway, my heart heavy with each passing moment.As we got to the doctor's office, we pushed open the door without knocking, only to stop abruptly. Another patient was seated inside. “Oh! Sorry,” Jennifer exclaimed, starting to close the door, but the doctor’s voice cut in. “No, Ms. Sanders, come in,” the doctor urged, his tone serious but also welcoming. I hesitated at the door, reluctant to walk in or speak about my choice
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Jennifer’s voice was soft, yet filled with concern as she held my hand tightly. We walked into the clinic, the sterile smell of the place overwhelming my senses, and my heart raced in my chest. I could barely focus as I tried to take deep, steady breaths. "Yes, Jen," I replied, though the words felt hollow, like I was trying to convince myself just as much as I was convincing her."You just found out you're pregnant," she continued, her eyes searching mine for any flicker of doubt. "Wouldn’t it be better to wait? To think it through a little more?" Her voice was gentle, but beneath it was a plea.I shook my head, biting my lip to keep the tears at bay. "I don’t want to change my mind." The words came out firmer than I expected. I didn’t want to be swayed. I couldn’t be. I needed to do this before the weight of everything crushed me completely."I’ll go in myself," I urged, my voice quieter now. "Wait in the car with Irene and the others." I couldn’
“What!” I exclaimed, my eyes widening in disbelief. I turned to Jennifer, who looked just as shocked. “It can’t be,” I stuttered.Jennifer turned her head towards me, confusion etched across her face. “I thought you said you and Jason never…” she wondered.I nodded. “Never,” I echoed, panic rising within me.Jennifer looked back at the doctor, her voice firm and certain. “You must be mistaken, doctor. My friend has been celibate for over three…” Before Jennifer could finish, I cut her off. “I haven’t been celibate!” I whispered, feeling the heat of shame wash over me. My mind flashed back to the afternoon of her wedding, the memory of Ethan flooding back, the heat of the moment, our impulsive connection, and my frantic rush to escape afterward, forgetting the after pill.Jennifer’s expression shifted to one of motherly concern. “Who?” she asked, her voice firm. I bit my lip, avoiding her gaze, my eyes darting to the doctor, who was watching our exchange intently.“Ethan,” I murmured,
Six Weeks Later: The Final Hearing"Please, don't go through with it," I pleaded, my eyes fixed on Ethan as we stood together just before the trial. For almost six weeks, he had refused my visits, and this was the first time I'd seen him. He looked thinner, worn down by time in custody."You look pale. Are you okay?" Ethan asked, concern flickering in his eyes.I shook my head. How could I be? I had been feeling sick constantly, throwing up, dizzy, and suffering from headaches."Are you eating well?" Ethan’s voice softened. "Isn't Jason taking care of you?" He asked and I frowned at the mention of Jason. "We broke up," I whispered, my voice barely audible. After Ethan turned himself in I couldn't bear be with Jason, i was always sad around him, never giving him the time and attention he deserved, hence i had to break up with him, but he didn't takes it well, he insisted he could wait for me to heal and feel better, but i knew from the bottom of my heart that I could never love him. N