Chapter 6 - The Choice That Cost Ethan His Empire
Leaving my old life wasn't clean.
It wasn't quick.
And it wasn't free.
Three months later, I sat across from Daniel in my office.
“Last account is closed,” he said.
“And the companies?”
“Legitimate ones transferred.”
“The others?”
“Gone.”
Daniel leaned back.
“You understand what you gave up?”
“Yes.”
“Millions.”
“I have millions.”
“Power.”
“I've had enough.”
“Fear.”
I looked through the window.
Sophia was outside chasing bubbles across the lawn.
Maria sat nearby laughing.
“I've had enough of that too.”
Daniel followed my gaze.
“You've changed.”
“Don't make this sentimental.”
“Wouldn't dare.”
Sophia suddenly ran into the office.
“Mr. Ethan!”
Maria appeared behind her.
“Sophia, knock.”
“Emergency!”
I stood.
“What happened?”
She held up Noodle.
One ear was hanging loose.
“Noodle is dying.”
I stared at the rabbit.
“This is serious.”
Maria covered her smile.
Sophia nodded.
“He needs surgery.”
I looked at Daniel.
“Cancel my meeting.”
Daniel blinked.
“You have attorneys downstairs.”
“Noodle is dying.”
Daniel looked at Maria.
“Is he serious?”
Maria shrugged.
“You work for him.”
Twenty minutes later, the most feared man in Nashville was sitting at a kitchen table sewing a stuffed rabbit.
Sophia watched closely.
“Careful.”
“I know.”
“Not like that.”
I looked at her.
“Would you like to perform the surgery?”
“No. I'm little.”
Maria laughed.
When I finished, Sophia inspected Noodle.
“He's better.”
“Good.”
She threw her arms around my neck.
“Thank you.”
My hands froze.
Then slowly, I hugged her back.
Maria watched from the doorway.
Later that evening, Sophia fell asleep upstairs.
Maria and I sat outside.
“You know she loves you,” Maria said.
I stared toward the garden.
“She loves everyone.”
“No.”
Maria shook her head.
“Not like this.”
I didn't know what to say.
“She asks about you when we're home.”
“What does she say?”
Maria smiled.
“Mostly that you're terrible at coloring.”
“She's correct.”
“And sometimes she asks why you don't have a family.”
I looked away.
Maria's voice softened.
“What do you tell her?”
“That some people don't get one.”
“And do you still believe that?”
Before I could answer, Sophia appeared at the doorway clutching Noodle.
“Mommy?”
“What are you doing awake?”
“I had a bad dream.”
Maria stood.
But Sophia walked toward me instead.
“Can Mr. Ethan check the monsters?”
I stared at her.
Maria smiled.
“You've been promoted.”
“To what?”
“Monster inspector.”
Sophia took my hand.
“Come on.”
I followed her upstairs.
We checked beneath the bed.
Inside the closet.
Behind the curtains.
“No monsters,” I announced.
Sophia climbed beneath her blanket.
“Mr. Ethan?”
“Yes?”
“Are you scary?”
I paused.
“Some people think so.”
“I don't.”
“Why?”
She yawned.
“Because scary people don't fix rabbits.”
Then she closed her eyes.
I stood there long after she fell asleep.
Maria appeared beside me.
Quietly, she said:
“Still think some people don't get a family?”
May you like
For once, Ethan Cole had no answer.
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