up outside Emily's humble home. He stepped out,

e in your life, Emily," Ethan said

a beat. "You're alread

ed. "Call

a to his car, where a

on my philanthropy," Et

wed. "You're choo

mained resolute. "I'm

away, leaving

Ethan ushered Emily and S

u want," Ethan said

r dresses and shoes. Emily's hesitation faded

s brushed against Emily's, se

said, holding up

s flushed. "I

d onto hers. "You'

r luxurious apartmen

shouted, tears str

, approached cautious

shed. "Get me E

"Maya, maybe it'

ned cold. "I'll

's doorstep, bearing f

" Ethan asked, h

skipped a beat

s hand found Emily's,

around you," E

s glowed. "I

leaned in, his

n said, his lips i

er ID flashe

xpression

red at Ethan's ignored calls.

Ethan's schedule

"Maya, maybe it'

acial. "You don't unde

again. Maya's name

, Maya," Etha

ed with malice. "Y

xpression

through the gardens, the

with you," Em

nto hers. "You'll alw

ther's eyes, Ethan's lips

epened, a figure watc

es burned

dark tapestry. Her father's

n her escape,

e was slip

dened. She would stop at

sterious text: "Sta

ng, she showed the

arkened. "I'll

wrapped around Emily, a sens

ow loomed, watc

ted Ethan at

ng everything

firm. "It's

ashed. "You'll

ed out, Ethan

e spoke: "Ethan,

message: "Stay away from E

ng, she showed the

ened. "I'll prote

peared, her eyes f

be happy, Emil

forward. "Ma

. "You have no idea

k tapestry. Abandoned by her fa

ened. She would reclaim E

tronger. They shared tender m

h the gardens, Ethan's

u," Ethan

soared. "I l

ow loomed, watc

e emerged, reveali

with Ethan's busi

Ethan's empire and cl

rrowed. "I'll s

. "You'll los

deep. Ethan felt d

veloped him. "I

ked onto Emily's

a tender kiss, a gu

pierced the a

choed throu

d onto Emily's, hi

. "You should have sta

ged, shiel

d his arm, but h

amed down her face

ly close, their h

stronger through tr

hed against Emily

trembled. "I l

rived, surrou

rongly, but his foc

than, her ey

tears streamin

he winding road, Emily

Emily asked, her voi

replied, his eyes lock

between Ethan and Emi

assured her. "No, swe

secluded estate, surro

ion, its extremely luxurious interior a

mporary home,"

widened. "It'

ed, her laug

rived, discreetly positioning

th your lives,"

casting shadows a

e scanned t

ure emerged fro

cts kicked in.

imself as Jack, Ethan

, sir," Ja

d, his tens

han, her voice bare

oing on? Why is

pression t

d with Victor's

eyes w

ha

ands enve

eep you

or interrupted Et

, his expres

fied visi

nstincts

is

hesit

aiming to be M

ible. "What makes you

ood tall. "I have informa

rowed. "What kin

Maya's in danger. V

deepened. "We ha

sion softened.

's plan to sabotage Et

simmered. "I

ed onto Ethan's. "

iped up. "Is Ma

fia. "Maya's lost, sw

kness, Ethan, Emily, a

lled with tear

as gentle. "We'

ted to Rachel. "

rembled. "I'm sa

r forgiveness. "I neve

n softened. "We'l

found Ethan's

opped. "I don'

firm. "You'll c

ryptic file. "Victo

e documents. "This is i

s hopeful. "It'

laughter

red over the phone.

s rigid. "We'

ion hardened. "I'

onto Ethan's. "We'r