"I think there is a storm coming, you should go back to your room," Ethan said without looking at Maria. Maria nodded slowly; her throat dry. She wanted to say more, to explain, but what could she say? That she had feelings for her best friend's husband? For a fleeting mont, she had wanted to be in Mara's place.
She turned away without another word, clutching her wounded hand to her chest as she walked back to her room.
Ethan exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair. What the hell was that? He knew it was a mistake, but the guilt clawed at him relentlessly. He had to make things right.
He returned to his bedroom,
Mara woke to the sharp crack of lightning, her heart pounding. She had always been terrified of storms. Instinctively, she reached for Ethan, but her arms t cold sheets. He wasn't there.
A wave of worry washed over her as she sat up. Where had he gone?
Just as she swung her legs off the bed, a deafening clap of thunder shook the house. The lights flickered, then went out, plunging the room into darkness. Panic seized her chest, and she dropped to her knees, covering her ears. Her breaths ca fast and shallow—she was having a panic attack.
She squeezed her eyes shut, rembering how Maria used to hold her during storms, whispering that everything would be okay. But Maria wasn't there.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and heavy footsteps entered the room. A soft thud, then a sharp intake of breath.
"Mara?"
It was Ethan.
Relief flooded her as she reached for him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. "Ethan," she whimpered, clinging to him.
Just then, another crack of thunder rumbled through the sky. Mara flinched, burying her face in his chest. Ethan's arms tightened around her, his warmth grounding her.
"I'm right here," he murmured, his voice steady and comforting. Lifting her gently, he carried her back to the bed, holding her as if he'd never let go. She didn't care that he saw her like this vulnerable, afraid of sothing as simple as a storm. And that was all Ethan wanted for her to trust him with every fear, every insecurity.
As she clung to him, trembling, Ethan felt an ache deep in his chest. Ethan's arms tightened around her, his warmth grounding her.
The weight of his actions threatened to crush him. He covered her and pulled her close, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I love you," he whispered.
Mara nestled into him, with her eyes still shut. Ethan shut his eyes.
Ethan had just walked in with a tray in his hands when Mara's eyes fluttered open.
"Good morning, my princess," he whispered with a wide smile, setting the tray down on the bed.
Mara sat up, her eyes sweeping over the neatly arranged breakfast. A smile spread across her face. "Morning, baby. I should be the one making you breakfast, you just had surgery, rember?" A pang of guilt settled in her chest. Had she been so caught up in work that she'd neglected him?
Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm happy to do this. Now, co on, try it you'll love it."
"Thank you, baby," she murmured, taking a bite. The flavors lted in her mouth, making her hum in approval.
Then suddenly, she jolted. "Wait! what ti is it?"
She reached for her phone, and the mont the screen lit up, her heart skipped a beat. 9:00 AM.
Her alarm should have gone off!
Mara turned to Ethan, eyes narrowing. "Did you turn off my alarm?" She pushed the covers off, trying to get out of bed.
But Ethan gently pulled her back, his arms circling her waist. "Relax," he whispered. "You've been running between the courtroom and the law firm for days. Now that the case is over, you need to rest." His hold tightened. "I need you. Stay with ."
Mara froze, feeling the way he clung to her. Sothing was different.
He wasn't just asking, he was holding on.
"Okay, fine. You need the rest too," Mara sighed, settling back into Ethan's arms. "And about last night... I don't know. The storm makes my head hurt. It's like I'm trying to rember sothing, but when I do, it just gets worse." She hesitated before continuing. "I was found in the middle of a storm as a child. I guess it just brings back mories. I'm telling you so you won't worry about ."
Ethan's heart swelled. She was opening up to him, trusting him with her past.
"Mara..." He started to say sothing, but she cut him off gently.
"No, baby. I don't need to know about a family that abandoned . I have you, and now I have Maria. There's nothing more I could want." She smiled and pulled him into a hug.
Ethan held her tightly. "Of course," he whispered, deciding not to push any further.
A few minutes later, while Mara rested against his chest, Ethan grabbed his phone and called Steph. "Hand over Mara's work to soone else. She's taking the day off," he instructed.
With that settled, he and Mara spent the morning wrapped in each other's warmth, stealing precious monts of peace. Eventually, they made their way downstairs.
But the mont Ethan saw Maria, his breath hitched. Last night. The mories crashed over him like a wave, and the guilt clawed its way back into his chest.
"Maria, I'm ho today, so we can finally spend so ti together," Mara said, hugging her friend tightly. "Ethan insisted I take the day off."
But as she pulled back, she noticed sothing was off. Maria's body was tense, her smile forced.
"Maria?" Mara whispered, studying her friend's face. She knew Maria better than anyone—sothing wasn't right. "What are you hiding from ?"
Ethan, standing nearby, felt his heart skip a beat.
Maria hesitated before finally speaking. "I called Daniel to co for ."
Mara froze. "You what?"
Maria lowered her gaze. "My mom called. I don't want them to find out I walked out of my marriage the mont things got tough. I can't let them think I failed again, Mara."
Mara's chest tightened. "What in God's na were you thinking? No, no you cannot be serious about going back to the man who almost killed you!"
She turned to Ethan, her voice pleading. "Help out here!"
But Ethan remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Maria straightened her shoulders. "I've made up my mind," she said firmly.
Mara shook her head, refusing to accept it. "I let you make the mistake of marrying him once I won't let you make it again. If you're not comfortable here, we'll find you a new place. But going back to him is not an option."
Before Maria could respond, the doorbell rang.
A guard stood at the entrance, looking tense. "Soone is trying to force their way in," he announced.
Mara and Ethan exchanged a glance before stepping outside—only to find Daniel.
Drunk. Disheveled. Pathetic.
Maria's heart sank. She had hoped, even just a little, that he would at least try to change. But no.
"You want to go back to this?" Mara asked, her voice trembling with emotion. "To soone who's still drunk at nine in the morning?" Tears welled in her eyes.
Daniel staggered forward, his anger barely masked by his intoxication. "Maria, let's go."
When he reached for her, Ethan stepped in, his stance protective. "You're not touching her," he said coldly.
Daniel's face twisted with rage as he tried to shove Ethan, but Ethan barely moved. "Get him out of here," he ordered the guards.
Maria watched as Daniel was dragged away, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Mara pulled her into a hug. "We'll get through this," she whispered. "You're stronger than you know."
But Maria wasn't sure. She couldn't stay—not with the guilt of what had happened between her and Ethan. But going back to her family wasn't an option. And Daniel? He was out of the question. So where did that leave her?
"Maria, you're always welco to stay as long as you need," Ethan finally spoke, his voice steady. "If you want, we can find you your own place. But please—going back to your husband is not your only option."
Despite everything, he didn't want her to go back. Holding Mara close, he let out a quiet sigh.
Maria felt a wave of relief at his words. She nodded softly. "Thank you, Ethan."
Wanting to lighten the mood, Mara clapped her hands together. "Well, today, I'm cooking for both of you!"
Maria let out a surprised chuckle. "You? Cook? Oh, please," she teased. The Mara she knew avoided the kitchen like the plague.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Really, Mara?" he said, amused. "This will be the first ti I'll ever taste your cooking."
"Yes, really," Mara grinned. "I'm cooking for the two most important people in my life."
Ethan and Maria exchanged glances, but before either could protest, Mara playfully nudged Ethan toward the couch. "Now, both of you, sit and relax." She guided Maria to sit next to him before heading off to the kitchen, humming happily.
As Mara disappeared, Maria shifted, subtly putting a little more space between her and Ethan.
Ethan, oblivious, opened his laptop and began typing, his focus shifting to work.
Maria, on the other hand, picked up a book—yet, every so often, she found herself stealing small glances at him.
Son!"
Ethan jolted at the sound of the familiar voice. No, it couldn't be.
The last he knew, she was still in the States, married to her sixth husband, with no intention of returning to Salvador. But before he could fully process it, the voice rang out again—louder this ti.
And then, there she was. Standing right in front of him.
Maria turned to look at the woman—a stranger to her. She seed to be in her fifties but carried herself with the elegance of soone much younger. Dressed in a stylish, almost extravagant outfit, she looked more like a socialite than soone's mother.
"Oh, my baby," the woman cooed, stepping forward to hug Ethan.
Ethan stiffened. "Mum? What are you doing here? When did you get back?" His mind raced.
The last thing he wanted was for Mara to have to deal with his difficult mother. He had promised his wife she wouldn't have to face her until she was ready. Yet, here she was—uninvited.
Mrs. Anderson sighed dramatically. "What? Am I not welco?" She pouted slightly. "I called your office yesterday. Your secretary said you weren't there. I got worried, so I took the next flight ho to see you." She placed a delicate hand on his cheek, her voice softening. "What's wrong, baby?"
Ethan exhaled, trying to contain his frustration. "Mum, I'm fine. There was no need for you to—"
She cut him off with a scoff. "That grandfather of yours has turned you against ." Her tone dripped with bitterness. "You don't even call your own mother anymore."
That was when she finally noticed Maria, sitting there quietly.
Her sharp gaze lingered. And in that mont,
"See? You got married!" Mrs. Anderson shrieked, her eyes locked onto Maria.
Before Ethan could correct her, she rushed forward, grabbing Maria's arm. "Get up, let look at you, girl!"
Maria barely had ti to react before she was pulled to her feet.
Mrs. Anderson studied her closely, nodding in approval—until her expression twisted slightly. "You're beautiful, but wait... how old are you? You look like you're in your fifties dress like that," she murmured, narrowing her eyes.
Maria blinked, montarily stunned.
Then, Mrs. Anderson's expression softened again. "So, my daughter-in-law?" she said, testing the words as if savoring them.
Maria couldn't help but smile at the sound of it—daughter-in-law. But just as the mont settled, loud footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Mara burst into the room, her face flushed, her mini skirt slightly askew, and flour sared all over her face.
Silence. All eyes turned to her. Mrs. Anderson raised an eyebrow. "And who, exactly, are you?"
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