Ethan's POV:
"Ember, we're leaving today. Pack your bag," I said firmly, watching her as she scrubbed the floor. Her hands were red and raw, her shoulders trembling from exhaustion. She looked up at me, stunned, confusion etched across her pale face.
"What?" she asked, barely above a whisper.
I stepped closer, took the cleaning brush from her hand, and placed it aside. Her eyes searched mine, unsure of what this meant.
"Get up," I said, voice low. "We're going to my apartment."
"But… why?" she asked, hesitantly.
I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "Because I won't let them treat you like this. I don't know what this marriage is supposed to be, but I do know you don't deserve this."
She blinked, lips parting slightly. "But your mother…"
"I don't care," I cut her off. "I didn't marry you out of love. Hell, I didn't even trust you back then. I thought you were just another gold-digger." I looked away for a moment, ashamed. "But I was wrong. You never once tried to take my attention. You never begged or manipulated. Now I know… you're innocent. And I can't stand watching you suffer for something you didn't do."
Her breath hitched, and for a moment, I saw something break in her eyes—pain, disbelief, maybe even hope. She gave a small nod. "Okay," she whispered.
I helped her to her feet, and though her body was tense, she didn't resist. I still didn't know what she truly meant to me, but I knew one thing—I wasn't going to let anyone hurt her again.
Later that evening…
We settled into the apartment. Ember stood near the couch, looking unsure and a little lost, like someone trying to fit into a world she didn't believe was hers.
"I'm going out to get dinner," I said, heading toward the door.
She just nodded quietly.
I paused, then walked back to her. Gently, I cupped her face and made her look at me. Her eyes were wide, guarded.
"This place—it's yours too," I said softly. "You don't have to ask. You can move freely, do whatever you want. Just be yourself, Ember."
She looked at me, almost in disbelief.
I sighed. "I'm not suddenly calling you my wife. We both know how this started. But I also know now that you never deserved any of this. You didn't ruin my life, Ember. I did."
For a long second, she stared at me. Then she gave the slightest nod.
"I'll be back soon," I added, brushing my thumb across her cheek.
I came back with food and placed it on the table. We ate in silence, neither of us knowing what to say. It wasn't awkward—it was just... quiet. Like both of us were too full of unsaid things.
After dinner, we cleaned up the table and washed the dishes together. She barely looked at me, but she didn't avoid me either.
Later, she grabbed a pillow and walked toward the guest room. "Good night," she said softly.
I watched her retreating figure, and something twisted in my chest.
"Ember," I said, making her stop and turn halfway. Her eyes were cautious, but curious. "Can you… stay with me tonight?"
She blinked. "Why?"
I didn't have a perfect answer. "I don't know," I admitted. "I just… don't want to feel this empty tonight."
She stared at me for a moment. Her expression unreadable. Then, she nodded slowly. "Okay."
When we reached the room, I instinctively reached for her hand. She let me. Her skin was soft, cool against mine. We stood there, inches apart, eyes searching each other's.
"Ethan…" she murmured.
But I didn't let her finish. I closed the distance between us, leaned in, and kissed her. Not like before—not out of frustration or heat—but with need. With something raw and deep that I didn't fully understand yet.
She kissed me back, and in that moment, nothing else mattered. Not the pain, not the past. Not even Veronica. For the first time… my mind was completely hers.
Clothes fell to the floor slowly, not urgently. Her hands explored with tenderness, not desperation. The way her body moved against mine was different now—like we were discovering something sacred between broken pieces.
We made love.
Not rough or rushed. It was deep, slow, and unspoken—like we were telling each other everything we never could with words.