I stared at Ethan trying to see if I could get him alone, "can I talk to you in private" I whispered to him and he nodded, moving with me to the hallway. "What is it love?" Ethan's voice softened I guess he could sense the discomfort in my voice. "It's him" I whispered. "Him? Who?" Ethan's brows furrowed. "Alfred, Alfred is the one who assaulted my cousin" I whispered. I watched Ethan's eyes widen as he shook his head in disbelief, "he wouldn't" Ethan protested. "She identified him, he pretended to be you" I explained and he stood in shock, "Alfred could never" he voiced out again. "You trust him so much?" I wondered and Ethan nodded. "He has worked with me for 12 years" Ethan explained and I understood why he found it so hard to believe, it also explained how he could be able to steal Ethan's identity so comfortably. "I would have to ask him" Ethan resolved turning and walking back into the living room as I followed. "Alfred" Ethan called out with the deepest voice as he wal
"8," I said grinning sheepishly and the man chuckled."You are a really beautiful young lady," The man said and my grin disappeared,."I am sure you know, you did terribly on this interview. " He asked and I nodded. "Notwithstanding, I can help you get the job, it just depends on how desperate you are" He winked at me and I instantly knew where he was going.The feeling of disgust overtook me as I began to frown. "I don't understand sir" I deepened my voice keeping a straight face."How can you say you don't understand," he said staring at the camera beside him, I traced his eyes to notice he was probably under surveillance."You are a mature lady who has experience in the corporate industry, I am sure you know what I am talking about," he said sliding his card across the table, I stared at the card and then at him feeling repulsed. "I don't need the job so desperately" I corrected, Ethan was right, it was almost like he foresaw this happening."Thank you for your time," I said gett
"You misunderstand me" Ethan smirked placing the bags on my tiny kitchen counter before turning to me."You need a lot of energy for what I am about to do to you" He said with a devilish smirk, his words making my heart sink. I took a gulp, biting my lower lip, "I am not hungry" I replied, "And What are you about to do" I whispered, smiling and watching as he whisked me into his arms My apartment was a very tiny studio apartment, and the distance between my kitchen and my bed was not more than 10 feet. Without saying another word, Ethan carried me in his arms like I weighed nothing, placing me on my bed swiftly. "What do you plan to do" I asked a little panicked, I had been the one asking for Ethan to take me, but I suddenly began to feel nervous at the thought. "Shh!" He sounded placing his hands on my lips for a second, I obliged keeping quiet before he replaced his hands with his lips, kissing me hungrily.As his lips met mine, I found myself falling into a trance, each time
3 days later. After agreeing to be Ethan's assistant, I soon realized it was just an excuse for Ethan to have me all to himself, his job didn't require him to be at work most of the time and my Job was to follow him to public places where he introduced me proudly as his Girlfriend and not his Assistant."You look so beautiful," Ethan said standing beside me and sniffing my neck, "What do you say we skip the award and I take this off" his voice deepened with lust as his hands caressed my body. I giggled at his compliment, turning to face him."Aren't you expected to receive an award today?" I asked adjusting his tie, before placing a soft kiss on his lips."I still don't have to be there," He said, placing kisses on my lips before moving to my neck. "Hold on Mr. Marcel, as your assistant, I would advise you to be there," I joked pushing him away and moving away from his grip. He chuckled staring at me with a raised eyebrow, "isn't my Assistant supposed to collect the Award on my be
"Hmm," Gloria frowned not saying a word, "I have received the award now, I think you and I have better things to do" Ethan whispered to me and I giggled while staring at Gloria's eyes, she was fuming. "We are leaving," Ethan said to the table, "I hope to meet you again soon," I said to Meghan who just had a polite smile on her face. Ethan held me tightly as we made our way out of the venue and into the limo. "I should have listened to you" I said to Ethan as soon as we got into the car "Uhum" he sounded absent-minded. His focus was on how to get me out of my dress. "Did you see how she tried to bully everyone at the table?" I asked Ethan, who was still absent-minded, placing gentle kisses on my neck, while slowly zipping my dress down. "What are you doing" I giggled enjoying the butterfly feeling his kisses left. "We can't do this here" I whispered to him as soon as he pulled my zip down. "Why not?" His eyes darkened with lust and he pulled my dress down to reveal my body, I wa
"Are you mad boy!" Ethan said standing between Jake and me, I adjusted my stance ready for anything and I watched Jake suddenly retreat. "What is she doing here Dad" he huffed, as Ethan stood beside me, wrapping his hands around me, "Emily and I are in a relationship," Ethan said with a smirk on his face. Jake squeezed his face almost disfiguring it as he glared at me, "You really have no shame do you?" he spat. "Is this why you came?" Ethan interrupted, honestly even if he didn't, I had no plans of answering that stupid question. Jake shook his head still glaring at me."Well then, why don't you spit out why you are here and stop interrupting us,"Ethan's voice held an air of authority but also a soft compassionate tune, like an extremely strict father who also loved his son. "It's Alfred, your old assistant, he has been talking," Jake said finally peeling his eyes away from me and giving his attention to his father. "Talking?" Ethan asked with a raised eyebrow. "Talking to wh
I was just inches away from getting crushed when a handsome stranger saved me, pulling me close to him and holding me in his arms"Are you insane" I heard the driver of the truck yell."Shut up and learn to drive" the handsome stranger fought back, I was too stunned to move as the Man's grip on my back lingered. "Are you okay?" Jennifer asked, moving towards me, I didn't even notice when she ran out of the street."I...fine..." I stuttered. My heart pounding like it was about to leave my chest. "Are you sure?" the man asked and I nodded, moving away from his grip, my heart still racing. "I....am...fine," I said carefully. "Please be careful next time, the world can't afford to lose a damsel," he said the most cheesy line I had ever heard and Jennifer chuckled. "Thank you," she said on my behalf gushing over the tall dark-haired man, standing inches away from me. "Thank you" I stuttered, still panicking."We were just about to have brunch at the cafe, would you like to join us" J
I woke up to find myself in a strange bed in a red room, a strange man lying beside me. "What is..." I tried to understand what was going on when I noticed someone standing over me with folded arms, I cleared my eyes as my sight was still blurry trying to make out the figure when it rang in my head. "Ethan" I called out quickly sitting up, to realize I was naked, with no blanket to cover and no clothes in sight just naked beside Ian while Ethan stood by the bed staring at me with furrowed brows and disappointed eyes. "What going on" I asked and Ethan just frowned. "I should ask you the same thing" Ethan's voice vibrated. "I tracked your phone here, to find you in bed sleeping with another man" Ethan's voice deepened but his pitch wasn't high. "I don't understand" I said as the last memory of myself in the bar flooded in. "He drugged me" I yelled turning to Ian and pushing him to wake up but he was high and passed out.I looked back at Ethan whose eyes held no emotion, feeling
"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