Ethan stood near the police car, his voice steady as he recounted the harrowing events of the evening to the lead detective. The officer, a broad-shouldered man with a calm demeanor, listened intently, nodding occasionally and jotting notes in his leather-bound notebook. Behind him, Tania sat in the backseat of the patrol car, her wrists bound by handcuffs. Her face was twisted in fury, and her eyes burned with hatred as they locked onto Ethan.
“You think this is the end?” Tania hissed through the car window, her voice venomous. “I’ll make sure you regret this, Ethan. Both of you.”
Ethan didn’t acknowledge her, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, he continued speaking to the detective. “She admitted to everything-the abduction, her vendetta against Ella, even trying to use the twins as pawns. It’s all on record. I’ve sent the footage from my phone to your department.”
The detective flipped through his notes, then looked up, his expression firm. “We’ve got enough evidence to ensure she’s held accountable, Mr. Ethan. But it’s clear this wasn’t just a moment of madness. She’s been planning this for years. You and your family need to be cautious moving forward.”
Ethan glanced back at his car, where Ella sat in the passenger seat, cradling Leo and Liam. The twins’ small arms were wrapped tightly around her, their faces buried in her chest. The sight filled him with a mix of relief and guilt. He nodded to the detective. “I understand. Thank you for everything tonight.”
The officer extended a hand. “Take your family home, Mr. Harrison. Get some rest. We’ll be in touch.”
Ethan shook the man’s hand firmly before turning toward his car. Tania’s muffled screams followed him as the police car drove off into the night. For a moment, he stood still, exhaling deeply, then walked to the driver’s side and slid in.
Inside the car, the air was heavy with emotion. Ella’s eyes were red-rimmed, her grip on the boys protective and unwavering. Leo and Liam clung to her like lifelines, their small bodies trembling with residual fear.
Ethan turned to them, his voice soft. “Is everyone okay?”
Ella nodded slowly, though her eyes remained on the boys. “They’re shaken up, but we’ll be okay.” Her voice was steady, but there was an edge to it, a reminder of the fight they’d just survived.
Ethan’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “We’ll go to my house. It’s closer, and I can secure it. You’ll be safe there.”
Ella hesitated, her instinct to resist his offer clashing with the exhaustion weighing her down. Finally, she nodded. “For tonight,” she murmured. “But just tonight.”
Ethan started the car, and they drove in silence through the quiet streets. The city lights blurred past them, a stark contrast to the chaos they’d just left behind. In the back seat, Liam whispered something to Leo, who nodded and tightened his grip on Ella. She kissed the tops of their heads, murmuring soothing words.
Ethan glanced at them in the rearview mirror, his heart twisting. This was his family-his sons, his ex-wife-and he had failed them in so many ways. The weight of his mistakes pressed down on him, but he pushed it aside for now. There would be time for apologies later. Right now, they just needed to get home.
Ethan’s estate loomed ahead, its large iron gates swinging open at his command. The house, nestled at the end of a long driveway, was grand but eerily quiet, the sprawling lawn shrouded in darkness. He parked the car near the front entrance and stepped out first, scanning the surroundings before opening the doors for Ella and the boys.
Leo and Liam clung to their mother as they stepped inside, their wide eyes taking in the unfamiliar space. Ella held their hands tightly, her expression wary. Ethan led them to the living room, switching on soft lights that bathed the space in a warm glow.
“I’ll make some tea,” Ethan offered, his voice tentative.
Ella shook her head. “They need water,” she said quietly. “And blankets. They’re cold.”
Ethan nodded and hurried to the kitchen. As he filled glasses with water, he heard the faint sound of Ella comforting the twins, her voice a balm to their frayed nerves. He returned with the drinks and a stack of soft blankets, setting them down carefully.
Ella wrapped the boys in the blankets and handed them the water. They sipped silently, their small hands trembling slightly. Once they were settled, she looked at Ethan. “Thank you,” she said, the words clipped but sincere.
He nodded, sitting across from them. For a moment, he simply watched, his heart aching as he took in the sight of his sons-his sons-safe but visibly shaken.
“I’m sorry,” he said finally, his voice low. “For everything. For not being there. For letting this happen.”
Ella’s eyes met his, and he saw the storm of emotions swirling within her-anger, hurt, exhaustion, and something softer that she tried to hide. “This isn’t the time, Ethan,” she said. “Let’s focus on the boys.”
He nodded again, chastened. “You’re right.”
The twins had finally fallen asleep, curled up together on the oversized couch. Ella sat nearby, her hand resting lightly on Liam’s back. Ethan entered the room quietly, carrying a tray with tea and sandwiches. He set it down on the table between them and sat in the armchair opposite her.
“You should eat something,” he said gently.
Ella hesitated but eventually took a cup of tea, cradling it in her hands. She didn’t touch the sandwiches.
For a long moment, they sat in silence, the tension between them almost tangible. Finally, Ethan spoke. “I know tonight was… a lot. But I need you to know, Ella-I won’t let anything happen to you or the boys again. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.”
Ella’s gaze was steady, though her expression was guarded. “You say that now,” she said softly. “But what about when things get hard? What about when the past catches up with us again?”
Ethan leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “I can’t change what happened,” he admitted. “I can’t undo the pain I caused you. But I can promise you this-I won’t walk away again. Not from you, not from them.”
Ella looked down at her tea, her grip tightening on the cup. “It’s not that simple, Ethan. There’s so much… history. So much damage.”
“I know,” he said. “But we can start somewhere. Please, let me try.”
Ella didn’t respond immediately. Her eyes flicked to the twins, their peaceful faces a stark contrast to the chaos of the evening. When she spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper. “I don’t know if I can trust you again. Not yet.”
Ethan nodded, accepting her words without protest. “I’ll earn it,” he said. “Whatever it takes.”
They sat in silence after that, the only sound the soft breathing of the twins. Outside, the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon, casting a pale glow over the room. It was a fragile peace, but for now, it was enough.