Ethan sank into his swivel chair, running a hand through his hair as he replayed the argument in his mind. Did I say the right things to Isla? The question gnawed at him. He had been so focused on the business and the company’s future that he had lost sight of the emotional toll it was taking on their relationship. Doubts swirled in his head, and for the first time, he wondered if prioritizing the company over Isla was slowly destroying what they had.
Was he really being a jerk? The look on Isla’s face—hurt and betrayed—haunted him. He hadn’t meant to dismiss her feelings; he just thought he was protecting their shared future. But was it worth sacrificing her dignity for a contract? The answer was a resounding no.
As he sat there, he felt the weight of his decisions crashing down on him. Why did everything have to be so complicated? He knew Isla was strong and passionate, but that fire sometimes felt like a threat to the carefully constructed world he had built.
He thought about her tears, the way they had fallen without hesitation. Each drop had represented everything he had failed to acknowledge—the love, the sacrifice, and the expectations. She deserved better than this.
Suddenly, his assistant entered the office. “Sir, we have a problem.”
Ethan looked up from his thoughts, his assistant’s words cutting through the haze of frustration. “What?” he asked, frowning at the sudden shift in focus.
“Mr. Robinson Evans wants to see you. It seems he’s planning something against you,” the assistant explained, his expression serious.
Ethan’s mind raced. Robinson Evans was a fierce competitor in the business world, known for his ruthless tactics and willingness to go to any lengths to win. They had clashed many times before, and the thought of another confrontation sent a chill down his spine. What could he possibly want now?
“Where?” Ethan demanded, his tone sharp. He needed to get ahead of this situation before it escalated.
“At a bar near downtown. He said it’s urgent,” the assistant replied, glancing nervously at Ethan.
Ethan weighed his options. He was still reeling from his argument with Isla, but this couldn’t wait. Evans was not the kind of man to take lightly, especially if he was plotting something. He had to confront this head-on.
“Okay, Get the car ready,” Ethan ordered, his mind already strategizing. “I’ll meet him. But keep this between us for now. I don’t want Isla to worry.”
His assistant nodded, but Ethan could see the concern in his eyes. He knew the risks involved, but he couldn’t let fear dictate his actions. Not now.
As he headed toward the door, a thought struck him. What if this was all part of Evans’s plan to destabilize him? He had to stay vigilant, especially since he was already feeling vulnerable after his fight with Isla.
The bar was only a short drive away, and as he got into the car, Ethan’s heart raced—not just with anticipation of the confrontation, but with the knowledge that he needed to clear things up with Isla. Whatever happened with Evans tonight, he couldn’t let it distract him from the real issues in his life.
“Let’s go,” he said, determination hardening his resolve. He had battles to fight, both in business and in his heart, and he intended to face them head-on.
As Ethan arrived at the bar, the atmosphere felt charged with tension. Dim lights flickered above, and the low murmur of conversations filled the air. He stepped inside, scanning the room for Robinson Evans. The man had a way of commanding attention, and Ethan was determined not to give him any advantage.
In the corner, he spotted Evans lounging with a drink in hand, a smug smile on his face. Ethan's gut twisted with irritation. He approached the table with purpose, every step fueled by the mix of anger and determination.
“Robinson,” Ethan greeted, keeping his voice steady. “What’s so urgent that it couldn’t wait for business hours?”
Evans leaned back, eyeing him with a mocking grin. “Ethan, always straight to the point. I appreciate that. But I think we both know why we’re here,” he said, his tone dripping with condescension.
“Get to it,” Ethan replied, crossing his arms. He wasn’t in the mood for games.
“Word around town is that you’re struggling with some… personal issues,” Evans said, leaning forward. “I thought I’d extend my condolences. It must be tough to juggle a crumbling marriage and a business at the same time.”
Ethan’s jaw clenched. “This isn’t about my marriage. If you think you can leverage that against me, you’re mistaken.”
“Oh, but I do think I can,” Evans replied smoothly. “You see, your wife is quite the asset, isn’t she? It wouldn’t take much for me to sway her opinions… or perhaps make her reconsider her loyalties.”
Ethan felt a surge of anger. “You’re crossing a line, Robinson. Don’t you dare involve Isla in this.”
Evans laughed, a low, menacing sound. “But she’s already involved. It’s only a matter of time before she realizes who truly has her best interests at heart.”
Ethan leaned in, narrowing his eyes. “You think you can manipulate her? You’re underestimating her strength—and mine.”
“Strength?” Evans mocked. “What you call strength, I call stubbornness. And stubbornness can lead to mistakes. I just want to help her see the truth.”
The tension in the air was palpable, and Ethan felt his blood boil. He had to control his temper; reacting impulsively would only give Evans the upper hand.
“I’ll make this very clear, Robinson. If you go near Isla, if you even think about trying to manipulate her, you’ll regret it,” Ethan warned, his voice low and dangerous.
Evans raised an eyebrow, seemingly unfazed. “You’re in no position to make threats, Ethan. You’re vulnerable, and I’m here to take advantage of that.”
Ethan straightened up, his resolve solidifying. “I won’t let you. I’ll fight you on every front. You want to play dirty? Bring it on.”
Ethan barely had time to react before the situation escalated. As the men emerged from the shadows, weapons drawn, a cold chill ran down his spine. This was no longer just a business rivalry; it had turned into a physical threat.
“Yes, I want to play dirty,” Evans sneered, his eyes gleaming with malice.
Before Ethan could brace himself, one of Evans's thugs lunged at him from behind, delivering a brutal blow to his back. The impact knocked him to the ground, and pain radiated through his body. He struggled to regain his footing, but the punches kept coming, each one fueled by the brutality of the situation.
“Get off me!” Ethan grunted, pushing against the weight of his attackers. He managed to throw one off, but before he could catch his breath, another hit him square in the jaw.
Just when it seemed like the beating would continue indefinitely, the sharp crack of a gunshot rang through the air. Instinctively, Ethan's body tensed, and the attackers froze, eyes darting around in panic.
“Get down!” shouted Ethan's assistant, who had rushed into the bar, his own gun drawn and aimed at the attackers. The tension escalated, and chaos ensued as the thugs scattered, fleeing from the unexpected gunfire.
Ethan pushed himself off the ground, his body screaming in protest as he scrambled to his feet. He saw his assistant keeping watch, ready to protect him at all costs.
“Are you okay?” his assistant asked, concern etched on his face.
“Yeah, I think so,” Ethan replied, shaking off the disorientation. He could feel blood trickling from his lip where he had been struck. “But we need to get out of here—now.”
They moved quickly, navigating through the now-chaotic bar. People were screaming and rushing for the exits, and the atmosphere was electric with fear. Ethan felt the weight of what had just happened settling in; this was a turning point, not just in his rivalry with Evans, but in his life.
As they reached the exit, Ethan glanced back one last time. Evans’s smirk was gone, replaced by a look of frustration and rage. He had underestimated Ethan, and now he was on the defensive.
Once outside, Ethan took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart. The cool night air hit his face, and he felt alive, albeit shaken.
“Get the car,” he instructed his assistant, who nodded and hurried away.
Ethan leaned against the wall, the adrenaline still coursing through him. This wasn’t over. Evans had made a grave mistake by involving violence, and Ethan vowed to make him pay.
When the car pulled up, Ethan slid into the back seat, rubbing his temples to ease the tension. His mind raced with thoughts of Isla. He couldn’t let her get caught in this crossfire. He needed to protect her at all costs.
As they drove away, he realized that the fight was only beginning—not just against Evans but for the love and trust of his wife. He would do whatever it took to shield Isla from this darkness.
He made a silent promise to himself: He would face the chaos head-on, for her sake and for their future.
Ethan rushed into their home, the door slamming behind him. Panic surged through him as he called out, “Isla!” The silence that followed felt deafening. He checked every room, every corner, but she was nowhere to be found.
Frustration bubbled inside him as he dialed her number again, but all he got was voicemail. “Isla, please pick up,” he pleaded, his voice strained. Blood continued to trickle down his face from the earlier attack, and the pain from his bruises was becoming harder to ignore.
He sank onto the sofa, clutching his side as the realization of his actions settled over him. The guilt gnawed at him—his ruthless behavior, his apology to Mr. Jones, everything that had transpired felt like a spiral he couldn't control. What if she was really done with him? What if he lost her for good?
Images of Isla flashed through his mind: her laughter, her determination, the way she stood up to him even when he was being insufferable. He remembered the look of hurt in her eyes after the incident with Mr. Jones. He had hurt her deeply, and now he feared it might be too late to make amends.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Ethan looked up, his heart racing with hope. But it was just his assistant, who stepped inside with a worried expression.
“Sir, we need to discuss our next move,” he said cautiously, eyeing Ethan's injuries. “You can’t stay here like this. Evans won’t let this go.”
“Where’s Isla?” Ethan asked sharply, ignoring the assistant’s comment.
“She’s not answering her phone,” the assistant replied, concern etched on his face. “Do you want me to track her location?”
Ethan nodded, frustration and worry flooding his veins. “Yes, please. We need to find her before Evans uses her against me.”
His assistant quickly pulled out his phone, typing away furiously. As he worked, Ethan tried to steady his breathing. The thought of Isla in danger because of him was unbearable.
Finally, his assistant looked up, relief flooding his features. “I’ve got her location. She’s at a café a few blocks away. Should I send someone to bring her back?”
“No,” Ethan replied, determination flashing in his eyes. “Just leave, uuwi rin siya,”
“But,”
Ethan sat on the sofa, his heart racing as he waited for Isla to return. The minutes felt like hours, and every creak of the house made his anxiety spike. He wiped at the blood on his face, trying to gather his thoughts. What would he say to her? How could he explain the chaos that had engulfed them?
Finally, the sound of the front door opening made his pulse quicken. He looked up just as Isla stepped inside, her eyes wide with shock at the sight of him.
“Ethan!” she gasped, rushing toward him. “What happened? You’re hurt!”
“It’s… it’s nothing,” he replied, trying to brush it off, but the tremor in his voice betrayed him. “I’m fine, really.”
Isla’s gaze narrowed as she took in his bloodied face and bruised body. “You’re clearly not fine! What did you get into?”
He took a deep breath, the weight of the situation settling over him. “No… I’m sorry, I’m really sorry…”
Isla examined his injuries, her fingers brushing against his cheek where the blood had dried. “You’re hurt,” she murmured, her expression softening.
He held her as if pleading. “Isla, about what happened earlier… I’m really sorry I didn’t defend you. I hope you can forgive me.”
Isla remained silent, staring at Ethan. “I love you,” Ethan said, shocking Isla.
“You love me?” Isla replied, unable to believe his words.
He looked down, seeming regretful for not expressing his true feelings sooner. Ethan felt a pang of regret wash over him as he saw Isla’s disbelief. “Yes,” he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. “I love you, Isla. I’ve been too stubborn to admit it.”
Isla’s eyes widened, the surprise evident on her face. “But… why now? After everything?”
“Because I realized that pushing you away only makes things worse,” he said, urgency creeping into his tone. “I thought I could protect you by keeping my distance, but I was wrong. I need you in my life. I realized how much I love you.”
Ethan’s gaze dropped to the floor, shame washing over him. “I know it’s hard to believe, especially after everything,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “But it’s true. I’ve loved you for a long time, Isla.”
Isla’s heart raced as she processed his words. The vulnerability in Ethan’s eyes was disarming. “You… love me?” she repeated, still struggling to comprehend. “After everything that’s happened?”
She hesitated, her heart torn between wanting to believe him and the scars of their past. “It’s just hard to forget the times you’ve hurt me,” she admitted softly.
Ethan reached for her, cupping her face gently. “I’ll spend every day proving to you that I’m worthy of your love. I was consumed by fear and the pressure around me. I will prove everything to you; let’s forget about revenge. Just give me the chance.”
For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of unspoken emotions filling the air. Finally, Isla nodded, a small spark of hope igniting within her. “Okay, I’ll give you that chance. But you have to promise me something.”
“Anything,” Ethan replied earnestly.
“Promise me you’ll stop trying to fight your battles alone. We’re a team now, remember?” she said, a small smile breaking through her worries.
Ethan smiled back, relief flooding through him. “I promise. No more secrets, no more hiding. We’ll face everything together.”
Isla wiped a tear from her cheek, her heart full of conflicting emotions. “Then let’s start fresh. Together.”
A flicker of hope ignited in Ethan’s chest as he smiled at her. “Together.”
As they held each other close, both knew that their journey wouldn’t be easy, but they were ready to face it side by side.
END…