Ella’s heart raced as she navigated the darkened streets, her mind replaying the conversation with Fabian. She had tried to reach out, to show him there was still a chance for redemption, but his words echoed in her ears: “It’s already too late.” The weight of those words pressed down on her, but she knew she couldn’t afford to dwell on them. Her priority was to protect Leo and Liam.
As she arrived at her safe house, a modest apartment on the outskirts of the city, she found Derek waiting by the entrance. His expression was tense, and the moment she stepped out of the car, he approached her.
“We’ve secured the place,” Derek said, his voice low. “Leo and Liam are inside, safe and sound. We’ve also set up surveillance to monitor any unusual activity.”
Ella nodded, grateful for Derek’s efficiency. “Thank you, Derek. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
He gave her a reassuring smile, but she could see the concern in his eyes. “Ella, we’re walking a fine line here. Fabian’s unpredictability and Tania’s network of allies make this a dangerous game. Are you sure you want to continue?”
Ella didn’t hesitate. “I have to. Tania has caused too much pain, not just to me but to everyone around her. This needs to end.”
Derek nodded, respecting her determination. “Then let’s make sure we do it right. I’ve started leaking some of the information we found. Tania’s allies are already beginning to turn on her, questioning her loyalty. It won’t be long before she’s completely isolated.”
Ella felt a small sense of satisfaction at Derek’s words. “Good. The more isolated she becomes, the easier it will be to take her down.”
As they talked, Ella’s phone buzzed again. This time, it was a call from an unknown number. She hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen, before finally answering.
“Ella, it’s me,” came a familiar voice. It was Ethan.
“What do you want, Ethan?” Ella asked, her tone colder than she intended.
“I need to talk to you,” Ethan said, his voice tinged with desperation. “In person. There are things you don’t know, things about Tania and… and about us.”
Ella’s grip tightened on the phone. She had spent years building up walls to keep Ethan and the memories of their past at bay, but now, he was asking her to lower those defenses.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” Ella replied, her voice shaky.
“Please, Ella,” Ethan pleaded. “You owe it to yourself to know the truth.”
There was a long pause before Ella finally relented. “Fine. Meet me at the old pier in an hour. And come alone.”
She hung up before he could respond, her mind reeling. The pier was a place filled with memories, both good and bad. It was where Ethan had proposed to her, and where she had first suspected that something was wrong in their marriage.
Derek watched her with a furrowed brow. “You’re going to meet him, aren’t you?”
Ella nodded. “I need to know what he has to say. It might be important.”
Derek’s eyes were filled with concern. “Just be careful, Ella. Ethan might not be as trustworthy as you think.”
“I know,” she replied. “But I need to hear him out. If there’s any chance of getting the full picture, I have to take it.”
As she drove to the pier, Ella’s thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions. She had spent so long burying her feelings for Ethan, but now they were surfacing, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready to face them. The stakes were high, and every decision she made could have lasting consequences.
When she arrived at the pier, the night was still and quiet, the only sound being the gentle lapping of the water against the dock. Ethan was already there, standing at the edge of the pier, staring out at the dark waters.
Ella approached him cautiously, her heart pounding in her chest. As she neared, Ethan turned to face her, and for a moment, they just stood there, looking at each other, the weight of their shared history hanging between them.
“I’m glad you came,” Ethan said, breaking the silence.
“I’m not here for small talk, Ethan,” Ella replied, her voice steely. “What do you have to say?”
Ethan took a deep breath, his expression filled with regret. “Ella, I made mistakes. I hurt you in ways I can’t even begin to apologize for. If you had not shown me proof of what she did I would not even know.
Ella’s eyes narrowed. “And you expect me to believe you didn’t know she was behind everything? That you were just an innocent bystander?” did you know she tried to kill me years ago?
What , no Ethan shook his head. “I’m not innocent, Ella. I’m guilty of a lot of things, but I swear to you, I didn’t know she was the one who tried to have you killed.
Ella’s heart wavered, but she forced herself to stay strong. “Why are you telling me this now, Ethan, why are you even here?
“Because I was a coward,” Ethan admitted, his voice breaking. “But now, I have nothing left to lose. Tania’s lies, her manipulation, it’s all too much and I can’t keep living in this web of deceit. I want to help you, and my boys
Ella studied him, searching for any sign of deception, but all she saw was a man broken by his own mistakes.
“Why should I trust you?” and how are you sure that my kids are yours? Ella asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Because I love you,” Ethan replied, stepping closer. “I never stopped loving you, Ella. And I’ll do whatever it takes to prove it, and as for my kids they look just like me, only have your smile he said smiling’
Ella felt her resolve waver, the walls she had built around her heart beginning to crumble. But before she could respond, a rustling sound from the shadows made her turn.
Out of the darkness stepped Fabian, his expression unreadable. He had heard everything.
“Isn’t this a touching reunion?” Fabian said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Ella’s heart sank as she realized the full extent of the situation. Fabian had become a wild card, and now, everything was about to spiral out of control.