The tension in the air was palpable as Fabian’s presence loomed over them. Ella’s mind raced, trying to figure out a way to diffuse the situation, but Fabian’s eyes were filled with a cold determination that she hadn’t seen before.
“What are you doing here Fabian?” Ella asked cautiously, her gaze shifting between him and Ethan.
“What am I doing here?” Fabian echoed, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. “nothing Ella. I just want to make sure that everyone who wronged me pays. And right now, that includes you.”
Ella’s heart pounded in her chest. “Fabian, this isn’t the way. You don’t have to do this.”
“Don’t I?” Fabian’s voice was laced with anger. “You pushed me away, made me the villain in your story. But the truth is, I was the one who saved you, who cared for you when no one else did. And what did I get in return? Nothing but betrayal.”
Ethan stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “Fabian, you don’t have to go down this path. We can still make things right.”
Fabian’s eyes flicked to Ethan, a mixture of contempt and amusement in his expression. “You’re one to talk about making things right. You’re just as guilty as Tania, if not more. You let all of this happen.”
Ella could see the situation spiraling out of control. Fabian was a man on the edge, and if they didn’t act quickly, things could end very badly.
“Fabian,” she said softly, trying to reach the man she once trusted. “I know you’re hurt, and I know you feel betrayed. But this isn’t the answer. There’s still time to turn back, to choose a different path.”
For a moment, Fabian seemed to waver, his expression softening. But then he shook his head, as if shaking off the last remnants of doubt.
“No, Ella,” he said, his voice hardening. “It’s too late for that. You made your choice, and now I’m making mine.”
Before either Ella or Ethan could react, Fabian pulled out a gun, pointing it first at Ethan, then at Ella.
Ella’s breath caught in her throat. She had faced danger before, but never like this, never with someone she had once considered a friend.
“Fabian, please,” she pleaded, her voice trembling. “Think about what you’re doing. If you do this, there’s no going back.”
But Fabian’s grip on the gun only tightened. “There’s nothing left to go back to, Ella. You made sure of that.”
Just as all hope seemed lost, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the night. Out of the shadows emerged Derek, his expression resolute.
“Fabian, put the gun down,” Derek commanded, his voice steady.
Fabian’s eyes darted to Derek, a flash of uncertainty crossing his face. But the gun remained steady in his hands.
“Derek, Fabian muttered, his voice thick with frustration. Did you come to play hero? he asked”
“I know you’re angry, Fabian,” Derek said, stepping closer, his hands raised in a non-threatening gesture. “But this isn’t the answer. If you pull that trigger, there’s no coming back. Think about Leo and Liam. They need their mother, and you’re not a killer. Not anymore.”
The mention of the boys made Fabian hesitate, his arm faltering slightly. Ella seized the moment, taking a step forward, her voice soft yet determined.
“Fabian, you saved me once,” she said, her eyes locked on his. “You were there for me when no one else was. You’ve made mistakes, but Please, for the sake of the boys, don’t make this worse.”
Tears brimmed in Fabian’s eyes, his emotions warring inside him. He looked at Ethan, then back at Ella, his face contorted with pain.
“I didn’t want this,” Fabian whispered, his voice breaking. “I never wanted to be the bad guy.”
With a shaking hand, Fabian lowered the gun. The tension in the air eased as Derek swiftly moved in, gently taking the weapon from him.
“It’s over,” Derek said firmly, securing the gun.
Ella exhaled, her knees nearly buckling from the weight of the moment. Ethan moved closer to her, his hand brushing hers, but she pulled away, her mind still reeling from the confrontation.
Fabian slumped to the ground, burying his face in his hands. “I’m sorry,” he muttered, his voice barely audible.
Ella stood in silence for a moment, her heart heavy with the realization that the man who had once been her savior had now become the embodiment of all the pain and betrayal she had endured.
‘ The first phase of winning Ella back is done, Tania will be pleased to hear this Fabian thought with his face still buried in his hands.