r tired eyes struggled to stay open as she wiped down tables for what felt like the hundredth time. The tips

ad already clocked out, leaving her alone in the dimly lit diner. But she couldn't complain. After all, the extra

shoulders. She was tired, physically and emotionally drained, but she pushed through, walking the s

stark contrast to her modest home and the whole environment at large. Elena paused, her

t voices of her parents reached her ears. But it wasn't just her parents in the living ro

er seen in magazines

pped a beat. What

the couch, looked unusually quiet. The sickness was taking its toll on him and he looked way older but whatever made him quiet didn't have to do with

ft, knowing smile spread across his face, his eyes gl

r as if his presence were something to be expe

cessing the shock of seeing him here. "What's going

th and almost comforting. "I k

from my sister, Claire. I must admit, she talks about you a whole lot

but I must confess being here, see

lena." Elena's mind raced. Why was

on Elena's shoulder. "Honey, Ethan is a good man," she said softly, almost as if trying

I'm a traditional man, Elena. I believe in building a life with someone, growing together, creating a family." He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a

what shocked her more: Ethan's proposal or the fact that her mother didn't se

You've sacrificed so much. Maybe it's time for you to think about your future, your ow

ame. She was trapped in a whirlwind of emotions,

words Ethan had spoken. He seemed sincere, but she couldn't help feeling like there was more to the situation than w

her phone buzzed on the nigh

oss at the diner. Are you available for more shifts

tant she had right now. She texted back a qui

s, one was a photo of Ethan smiling and another of Elena was plastered across the page. The article went on to talk about Ethan's past relationships, emphasizing how women had alw

oo fast. She hadn't even said yes, but the world was already watching her. Even her co workers

m Ethan. I hope you saw the article. I'll be by tomorro

rning she had thought it was all a dream some mirage her tired brain has conjured up and she had cast it a

. He'd built an empire for his family, and everything he did was under scrutiny. But this? This was different, luckily he had been able to intercept the articl

nd Claire Sinclair walked in, he

oice sharp. "What the hell

, his eyes narrowing as he looked

ou're proposing to her? Elena Carter? I asked you to get rid of her not make her my sister i

t need to understand, Claire. This is the best solut

know you, Ethan. You're doing this because you think it'll so

lied coldly, "I'm thi

his solve a

ous of Elena, that takes care of Ava's situation. All this with Elena will be ove

"Fine, then. If this is the plan, I'll su

eed her support. But in the world they lived in, it

d again, a smirk curling on his lips. His plan was