Ethan stormed out of the house, his chest tight and his fists clenched. He needed air, needed space to think clearly. The confrontation with Tania had been ugly, but he had no regrets. He had finally told her what he’d been thinking for so long he was done with her manipulative games.
Victor was waiting by Ethan’s car, leaning against the hood with a grim look on his face. “I take it that didn’t go well,” he remarked, crossing his arms.
Ethan shook his head, his jaw still tight with frustration. “She denied everything, as expected. But I told her I want a divorce. She didn’t take it well.”
Victor raised an eyebrow. “I doubt she would. Tania’s not one to let go easily.”
Ethan let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair. “She’s unhinged, Victor. The lengths she went to…, trying to kill Ella… I can’t believe I ever trusted her at one point of my life.”
Victor’s expression softened slightly. “It’s not your fault, Ethan. You couldn’t have known what she was capable of.”
Ethan nodded, though the guilt still weighed on him. “But I should’ve seen the signs. I was too blinded by everything that happened with Ella. I let Tania manipulate me, and now… now I’m paying the price.”
Victor placed a hand on Ethan’s shoulder. “We’ll get through this. You just have to stay focused. Ella, Grace and the boys need you.”
Ethan’s heart clenched at the mention of his sons. He hadn’t seen them in a while, and the thought of being reunited with them stirred something deep within him. He wanted to make things right not just with Ella, but with Leo and Liam too.
As Ethan stood there, lost in thought, his phone buzzed. It was a text from the hospital, updating him on Grace’s condition. She was stable, but still weak. Ethan’s heart ached at the thought of his little girl lying in that hospital bed, but he was grateful she was awake.
“I need to get back to the hospital,” Ethan said quietly, glancing at Victor. “Grace needs me.”
Victor nodded. “I’ll keep digging into Tania’s connections, see if there’s anything else we can use against her. In the meantime, focus on Grace. She’s your priority right now.”
Ethan gave him a grateful look before getting into his car. As he drove to the hospital, his thoughts kept drifting back to Ella. She was the one he had always loved, despite everything that had happened between them. Now, with Tania out of the picture, there was a chance a slim chance that they could rebuild what they had lost.
But first, Ethan had to make sure Ella was safe. He wasn’t going to let Tania or anyone else hurt her again.
Ethan gripped the steering wheel tightly as he sped toward the hospital. His thoughts raced, his mind a whirlwind of emotions guilt, anger, and a deep-seated need to make things right. Victor’s promise to dig deeper into Tania’s connections was a relief, but it was also a stark reminder of the danger that still loomed over Ella, Grace, and his boys. He had to make sure they were safe.
When Ethan arrived at the hospital, the sterile smell of disinfectant hit him as soon as he stepped into the lobby. He made his way to Grace’s room, his heart pounding in his chest. Seeing her there, so small and fragile in the hospital bed, made his breath catch in his throat.
“Daddy,” Grace whispered, her voice weak but full of love.
Ethan bent down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “I’m here, sweetheart. I’ll be here as long as you need me.” He sat by her side, holding her hand, trying to push all thoughts of Tania and the chaos surrounding their lives to the back of his mind. For now, his focus was on Grace.
A soft knock on the door made him look up. Victor stood there, his expression serious but calm. “Got something,” he said quietly. “But we need to talk in private.”
Ethan nodded, his stomach knotting. He kissed Grace’s forehead again and whispered, “I’ll be right back, baby girl.” She gave him a faint smile before closing her eyes to rest.
Ethan followed Victor out of the room and into a secluded corner of the hospital hallway. Victor’s face was etched with concern, but his voice was steady. “I tracked down where Ella is staying,” Victor said, his voice low. “She’s at a small, private hospital across town. I’ve already sent some guys to keep an eye on the place, make sure no one gets close to her. But there’s more.”
Ethan’s heart clenched. “What do you mean, more?”
“Tania’s not going to back down easily. She’s got connections, and from what I’ve uncovered, she’s already looking for leverage. She’ll try to retaliate, Ethan. We need to move fast. I’ve got enough to make sure she can’t hurt you or your family again, but it won’t be easy.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened. “I don’t care how hard it is. We’re shutting her down, Victor. She’s not going to get another chance.”
Victor nodded. “I’m already working with some contacts in law enforcement. We’ll have her in custody soon, but you need to be ready for anything. If she finds out we’re onto her, she’ll act fast.”
Ethan clenched his fists, the image of Tania’s smug face burned into his mind. “I’ll be ready. Whatever it takes.”
Victor gave him a grim nod before pulling out his phone. “I’ll drive you to Ella. I think she needs to hear from you directly.”
They left the hospital, the car ride to Ella’s location heavy with unspoken tension. Ethan’s thoughts were a tangled mess, but one thing remained clear: Tania’s reign of terror was ending, one way or another. When they pulled up to the private hospital, Ethan barely waited for the car to stop before he stepped out.
Victor stayed behind, keeping an eye on the perimeter as Ethan made his way inside. The nurse at the front desk directed him to Ella’s room, and as he approached the door, his heart raced. What would he say to her? How could he begin to explain all the mess that had come between them?
Taking a deep breath, he knocked lightly before pushing the door open. Ella sat up in bed, looking tired but alert. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw him, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.
“Ethan,” she said softly, her voice laced with surprise and something else perhaps relief.
“I had to see you,” Ethan said, stepping closer. “I know things between us have been complicated, but I want you to know that Tania won’t be a problem anymore. Victor’s working on it. We’re going to make sure she’s locked up, where she can’t hurt you or anyone else ever again.”
Ella’s expression was unreadable for a moment, and then she sighed, her shoulders sagging. “I appreciate that, Ethan. I really do. But it’s not going to be that easy.”
Ethan frowned, taken aback. “What do you mean? Victor has enough evidence to bury her. Once we get her into custody…”
“It’s not just Tania, Ethan,” Ella interrupted, her voice firm. “You don’t understand how deep this goes. Tania’s connected to people far worse than her. Even if she’s arrested, there are others who will step in. She’s not the only threat. We’re dealing with something bigger than just her.”
Ethan felt a chill run down his spine. “Bigger? Who else is involved?”
Ella shook her head. “I don’t know all the details yet, but I’ve been looking into it. Tania’s network reaches into places we haven’t even imagined. Fabian’s betrayal was just the tip of the iceberg.”
Ethan’s heart sank at the mention of Fabian, the man who had once been Ella’s trusted friend and protector, only to reveal himself as a pawn in Tania’s game. “Fabian… I should’ve seen it sooner. I should’ve been there for you.”
Ella’s eyes softened slightly. “We both made mistakes, Ethan. But we can’t dwell on the past. What matters now is making sure our boys are safe and Grace. We have to protect them.”
Ethan nodded, his resolve hardening. “We will. I promise you, Ella. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them save.