Twenty
Ethan
“Mom. Dad.” I step aside to let them enter my penthouse. “What brings you by?” I ask as I secure the door behind them.
“We heard about Lily,” Mom replies.
I run a hand through my damp hair and head for the kitchen island. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Ethan,” Mom whispers, a delicate warning.
I ignore her, my eyes locked on the polished stainless-steel refrigerator. “I have sparkling water, Mom. With lemon. I know how much you enjoy a slice of fruit in your drinks.”
“Ethan.” This time, her tone carries more weight, yet is still tinged with sorrow. “And Dad,” I insist, moving toward the built-in bar. “Would you like something strong to drink?”
I sure as hell could.
“Son.” My father says in a low command.
I freeze, placing my hands on the cool, sleek marble of the bar.
My knuckles turn pale as I grip the edge, every fiber of my body tightening.
It takes every ounce of strength I have not to sweep the bottles and glasses off the counter, to shatter the fragile illusion of control I am desperately clinging to.
Because the volatile storm of emotions inside me is threatening to overwhelm me.
The last few days have been a blur, from getting things sorted at work to rushing back to the hospital, to Lily, to the kids.
I only came back to the penthouse for a quick shower and a change of clothes.
The longer I’m forced to stay away from Lily, the more frayed and on edge I become.
We have already lost too much time. I can’t afford to lose any more.
“Son. Please. Stop.” Dad enunciates each word.
His large hand settles heavily on my shoulder, and the dam bursts.
I crumble, my legs giving way, slumping against the bar.
A guttural sob erupts from my chest, releasing the grief of lost time and new memories we never made because of my stupid, selfish mistake.
One single fuck up cost me years with the woman I love with every fiber of my being that I realize there may not be years left to make up for that. My shoulders shake uncontrollably.
Another sob breaks free, and then my father’s arms envelop me, drawing me into his strong embrace. His presence is a lifeline, grounding me in a world that seems to be spinning out of control.
“It’s going to be alright, son,” he says hoarsely. “We are here for you. For Lily. For the kids.”
“Oh, sweetheart,” Mom cries as she joins us, her smaller frame pressing against my other side.
No additional words are spoken. None are needed.
All I can grasp onto is the desperate hope that Lily will survive this.
That she will beat this.
It’s been three days since Lily finally came home from the hospital. Since then, I’ve been getting things in order, basically tearing down my old life to rebuild a new one entirely focused on her.
Every second I spend now is dedicated to giving her my undivided attention, something I should’ve done years ago instead of letting myself get wrapped up in my own goals. The guilt’s a constant presence beneath everything else, a low-level ache I probably deserve.
Fortunately, Marcus has taken over as acting CEO, allowing me to be where I need to be: there for Lily, and more importantly, becoming the father my children need, including Ollie. It’s a significant change, but it feels right, like I’ve finally returned home.
Right now, I need to convince her to let me sleep in one of the spare bedrooms. I want to be close, to be there if she needs anything. But I can’t push her. And then there are the kids, especially Jake. He’s taken on a role that should’ve been mine, and I need to earn his trust again.
Rounding the back of the car, I pop the trunk and grab three grocery bags. Sam told me Lily hasn’t been eating much. But I have an idea. My spaghetti always brought a smile to her face back when we were married. Hopefully, that hasn’t changed.
I jog up the steps to Lily’s house, a nervous anticipation fluttering in my chest. My thumb hovers over the doorbell, and then I press it; a short, polite chime echoes inside. I wait, listening, holding my breath.
The door creaks open, and my breath stalls as I spot Lily framed in the doorway, her figure illuminated by the light behind her. She looks vibrant, glowing in her bakery’s purple shirt and black leggings. Her golden hair cascades down her shoulders, softening her features.
“Hey,” she greets, confusion and warmth dancing in her smile. As the door swings wider, I lift the bags in my hands.
“I brought dinner,” I announce, the corners of my mouth twitching.
A playful scowl quickly replaces her smile. “I hope you’re not expecting me to cook.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Nope, tonight’s on me. I’m here to treat you and the kids.”
Her eyes widen. “Really? What if I had plans?”
My heart sinks, anxiety creeping in. “Do you?” I ask cautiously.
She shakes her head with a smirk. “No, come in.”
With a sigh of relief, I step inside. The familiar, calming scent of lavender envelops me, and for a moment, everything feels right.
I turn to her and ask, “Can I set these down?”
“Of course.” She gestures toward the kitchen, leading the way while I do my best to keep my gaze respectfully away from her ass.
I lay the bags on the expansive island, starting to unpack the ingredients.
“What exactly are you doing, Ethan?” Lily says.
“What do you mean? I’m here to cook for you all,” I reply, meeting her gaze, finding her arms crossed, suspicion lingering in her eyes.
“No, I mean…why are you here? You’ve been dropping by more since that day at the hospital.”
I place the last can of sauce on the counter. “Marcus took over as CEO, which gives me the chance to be here more. For you. For the kids.”
“Why?”
“Keeping my promise,” I say firmly.
“Ethan, you can’t do that,” she protests.
“Yes, I can, and I did. I won’t regret a second of it.”
Lily
I believe him.
Damn him.
Ethan still possesses an uncanny ability to dissolve the walls I’ve erected around my heart with just his words, that rich, deep voice, and that smile that lights up his face. And those sparkling blue eyes that shine with warmth and love often leave me breathless.
Yet I can’t help but seethe at the realization that it took being divorced and sick for him to truly see me. I want to unleash my anger at him, but a part of me is elated that he’s here for me.
He takes a tentative step forward, his face shadowed by apprehension.
“I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, Lily, and I’m not asking because I don’t have that right.
” He swallows hard. “But I genuinely want to make things right. Not to erase the past, but to surpass the tension and fill this space with trust, friendship, and love in the present. In the now.”
He hesitates, looking at me intently. “To rebuild,” he adds softly.
“Rebuild?” I shake my head in disbelief. “Every memory of that night, every haunting moment from our marriage, still torments me, Ethan.”
The sorrow and regret etched on his face deepen.
“You disappeared from my life for so long. Now that the truth is out, do you truly believe I can wipe away the sting of your betrayal? You shattered our marriage with one mistake like it was easy for you to do,” I remind him.
“I know,” he whispers.
“You walked away, Ethan. You broke your vows. In sickness and in health, till death do us part. Remember?” He remains silent, his blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“How can I trust you again? You turned your back on our marriage as if I were already gone.”
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs.
“Sorry doesn’t cut it.”
“I know it doesn’t.”
“And what did that leave me with?” I demand. “It didn’t matter because the seed of doubt was already planted, and my tears nurtured it over time, turning it into bitterness because the toxicity of your broken promise had already seeped in, not even your sorrys kept it alive.”
He shuts his eyes, drawing in a tremulous breath.
“I’m so, so sorry, Lily,” he pleads, opening his eyes, now clouded with anguish.
“I will never forgive myself for how I treated you, for turning my back on everything we had. I can’t take back that day or the months that came before and after.
But I can mend your broken heart if you are open to it.
To take this new road with you. A road of healing.
A road to where we were once friends before becoming lovers.
Before starting a family. A new beginning. ”
I’ve always taught our children the value of forgiveness, of transforming pain into something meaningful. Maybe it’s time to embrace that lesson and allow Ethan to mend what he broke and to start a new chapter.
“Okay.”
His face lights up. “Really?”
I can’t help but respond with a warm smile at his hopeful tone. This is the Ethan I fell in love with all those years ago.
“Yes,” I affirm. “But we need to establish boundaries first.”
His brow knits together. “What kind of boundaries?”
“First of all, no surprise visits.”
He glances down sheepishly.
I place my hands on my hips. “What?”
He fidgets, rubbing the back of his neck, one of his tells that he’s stressed.
“I was going to propose moving in with you.”
My jaw drops. “What?!”
He raises his hands defensively. “Just until you get back on your feet! Until you don’t need my help anymore.”
“Ethan! Are you out of your mind? How could you even think I would be okay with that?”
“You need support with the kids, rides to chemo appointments, and help cleaning, and cooking,” he counters.
“I have Sam, Ebony, and my parents to help.”
His expression softens. “They can’t always be at your beck and call, and I know you’d never want to burden them.”
His understanding both infuriates and comforts me.
He steps closer, taking my hands in his.
Warmth radiates from our connection, bringing back feelings of love and safety that I thought were long gone.
I look down at our entwined hands, feeling an undeniable spark.
It’s as if the bond that seemed severed is still alive and pulsing with energy, somehow stronger than ever.
“We were never meant to say goodbye, Lily,” he says, a warm smile lighting up his face.
“I wasn’t the one who walked away, Ethan.”
“I know,” he replies, the sadness in his voice palpable. “But I’m not walking away from you. Not this time. If you let me stay in your guest room, I’ll be whatever you need me to be. Please, let me share your burden so you can focus on healing. On becoming stronger.”
Fear that I might fall for him all over again or realize that I never truly moved on floods my thoughts, making it difficult for me to come up with an answer.
“I need to talk this over with the kids. I don’t—” I start but stop when we hear footsteps approaching.
“We’re with Dad, Mom.”
I glance up to find Jake and Maddy standing in the doorway, her smile radiating a surprising enthusiasm. But my focus narrows on Jake.
“Jake?” I ask, my voice laced with uncertainty.
His blue eyes volley between Ethan and me before settling back on mine. “I’m cool with it. As long as it benefits you,” he says, flashing a reassuring smile before pushing off the doorway.
“I second it,” Maddy chimes in.
I turn back to Ethan, who has a massive, goofy grin spreading across his face. I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head.
“Fine,” I concede.
“You won’t regret it, Lily,” Ethan assures me.
I hope he’s right because I’m not sure my heart can handle another hit.