Ethan leaned back in his office chair, his gaze fixed on the photograph sitting on his desk. It was a candid picture he had taken at the park, a moment frozen in time: Ella standing with Grace, Leo, and Liam, their faces lit up with smiles. He couldn’t stop himself from grinning as he traced his finger over their faces.
The knock at the door startled him from his thoughts.
“Come in,” he called, sitting upright.
Victor strolled in, his ever-present smirk widening as he plopped into the chair across from Ethan. “Hey, stranger,” he said with mock familiarity.
Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. “Victor, long time. What brings you here?”
Victor shrugged. “Thought I’d check in on you. You’ve been MIA lately. What’s been keeping you so busy?”
Ethan gestured to the picture on his desk, and Victor’s eyes immediately zeroed in on it.
“What do we have here?” Victor teased, leaning forward to pick it up. “She let you see them?”
Ethan nodded, his smile widening. “We have playdates now. It’s… nice.”
Victor arched a brow. “Playdates? Really? And Ella? Where does she fit into all this? Are you guys just going to be co-parents, or…”
“I want her back,” Ethan admitted, his voice firm yet tinged with vulnerability. “I want her and the kids in one home. I want my family back. I just don’t know how to go about it.”
Victor leaned back, crossing his arms. “Well, for starters, stop being so cautious. Take her out. Make her see that you’re still in love with her. She’s not going to read your mind, man.”
Ethan sighed. “I tried. I asked her out, but she said she’s focusing on herself and the boys. The only time I see her is during the playdates.”
“Then use those playdates,” Victor advised. “Treat them as mini-dates with her and the kids. Do something special for her during those times. She’ll notice. Besides, I can tell she still loves you. She’s just guarded.”
Ethan considered this, a spark of hope lighting his eyes. “You think so?”
Victor grinned. “I know so. Now, quit moping and start planning.”
Ethan chuckled, shaking his head at his friend’s bluntness. They spent the next hour reminiscing about old times, laughing and catching up.
Before leaving, Victor asked, “Heard from Tania lately?”
Ethan’s smile faltered, but he quickly shook his head. “No, and honestly, I don’t care anymore. I wish her luck in life, but she’s not my concern.”
Victor raised his coffee cup in a toast. “Cheers to that.”
than and Victor continued to chat, their conversation naturally flowing from one topic to another. Victor leaned back in his chair, the picture still in his hand as he studied it thoughtfully.
“It’s weird, though,” Victor said after a moment of silence. “You haven’t heard anything from Tania? That doesn’t sound like her. She’s not exactly the type to just let things go.”
Ethan rubbed his chin, his expression pensive. “Yeah, it is strange. Honestly, I don’t know what to think about it. Part of me is glad she’s not bothering us, but another part of me can’t help but wonder what she’s up to.”
Victor nodded slowly, setting the picture back on Ethan’s desk. “Exactly. Tania isn’t the kind of person who disappears without a plan. I’d keep an eye out if I were you.”
Ethan sighed, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his desk. “I know I should, but I’m just so tired, Vic. Tired of the drama, tired of the games. All I want is to focus on Ella and the boys. If Tania wants to stay away, then fine. Let her.”
Victor studied his friend’s face for a moment, his tone softening. “I get it, man. You’ve been through hell. You deserve some peace. Just… don’t let your guard down completely. People like Tania don’t just fade into the background.”
Ethan nodded, appreciating the advice but unwilling to let Tania’s shadow darken the new light in his life. He gestured toward the picture. “I’d rather focus on them. Seeing the boys smile, hearing them laugh-it’s the best thing I’ve had in years. And Ella…” He trailed off, his voice filled with longing. “She makes me feel alive again.”
Victor smirked. “You’re whipped, man. But in a good way.” He leaned forward, his voice taking on a more serious tone. “So, what’s your next move? You said you want Ella back. What’s the plan?”
Ethan shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know. Every time I try to bring it up, she shuts it down. She’s still guarded, and I can’t blame her. I hurt her, Vic. Badly. And then there’s the whole Tania mess.”
Victor slapped his hand on the desk, startling Ethan. “Enough with the self-pity. Yes, you messed up. But you’ve been trying to make it right. You’re here now, and that’s what matters. So stop waiting for the perfect moment and start creating one.”
Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. “You make it sound so easy.”
“It’s not,” Victor admitted. “But nothing worth having ever is. Take it one step at a time. Show her you’ve changed. Show her you’re serious about being a family again.”
Ethan leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. “You’re right. I’ve been too cautious, afraid of pushing her away. I need to step up.”
Victor grinned, satisfied. “That’s the spirit. Now, let’s talk strategy. What’s something Ella loves? Something that’ll show her you’re paying attention?”
Ethan considered this, a small smile tugging at his lips. “She loves art. Used to drag me to galleries all the time. She hasn’t mentioned it lately, but I know she still sketches when she thinks no one’s watching.”
Victor’s eyes lit up. “Perfect. Find a way to incorporate that into your next playdate. Maybe a visit to an art museum or a painting class with the boys. Something that combines her passions with the kids.”
Ethan nodded, his smile growing. “That’s actually a great idea. She’d love that. And it’s something we can do together as a family.”
Victor stood, clapping Ethan on the shoulder. “There you go. That’s how you do it. Now, stop moping and start planning. And for the love of all things good, let me know how it goes.”
Ethan laughed, standing to see his friend out. “Thanks, Vic. I mean it.”
Victor turned at the door, his expression softening. “You’re a good guy, Ethan. You just lost your way for a while. But you’re back now. Don’t waste this chance.”
Ethan nodded, the words sinking in. As Victor left, he sat back at his desk, staring at the picture again. His heart swelled with a mix of determination and hope. He wasn’t going to let fear hold him back anymore. He had a plan now, and he was ready to fight for his family.
Meanwhile, Ella sat on the couch in her living room, her sketchpad resting on her lap. She hadn’t drawn anything yet, her pencil hovering above the blank page. Her thoughts were too scattered, her emotions too tangled.
She thought about the park, the way Ethan had played with the boys, his laughter mingling with theirs. It had felt so natural, so… right. She couldn’t deny that he was a good father, and seeing him with Leo and Liam made her heart ache in ways she wasn’t ready to confront.
Could she really go back? The question echoed in her mind. Did she still love him? The answer should have been simple, but it wasn’t. Her feelings were a labyrinth, twisted and complicated by years of pain and betrayal.
Ella’s gaze drifted to the mantel, where a framed photo of her and the boys sat. She smiled softly, tracing the edges of the frame with her eyes. They were her world, her reason for pushing forward. But she couldn’t ignore how happy they were with Ethan in their lives.
Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. She picked it up to see a message from Ethan.
Ethan: Thinking of taking the boys to an art class this weekend. Thought you might want to join us. Let me know.
Ella stared at the message, her heart skipping a beat. An art class? The idea warmed her, tugging at a part of her she hadn’t indulged in a long time. But it also made her wary. Was this just about the boys, or was it more?
She set the phone down, taking a deep breath. She needed to sort through her emotions, to figure out what she really wanted. But for now, she couldn’t deny the small flutter of excitement at the thought of spending more time with Ethan and the boys doing something she loved.