Love's Darkest Hour

Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Unraveling the Shadows

Ethan's footsteps echoed through the dimly lit parking garage as he made his way to his car. The tension in his chest hadn’t eased since he left the office. Gabriel was still out there, pulling strings from the shadows, and Ethan had no intention of letting him win.

Just as he reached for his car door, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, expecting another message from Lily, but the name on the screen stopped him cold.

Unknown Number.

He hesitated for a moment before answering. "Who is this?"

A low, familiar chuckle echoed through the speaker, sending a chill down Ethan’s spine. "You always were too impatient, Carter."

Ethan’s grip on the phone tightened. "Gabriel."

"You sound tense," Gabriel mused. "You should really learn to relax. Stress isn't good for you."

Ethan’s jaw clenched. "Cut the games. What do you want?"

Gabriel sighed theatrically. "Straight to the point, as always. Fine. I wanted to let you know that you're running out of time. You see, I’ve been making moves of my own, and I have something you might want to see. Something about Isabella."

Ethan’s blood turned to ice. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Gabriel chuckled again, the sound laced with amusement. "Meet me at the old St. Regis Hotel, penthouse suite. Midnight. Come alone, or you'll regret it."

The line went dead.

Ethan stood frozen for a moment, his mind racing. Gabriel was up to something—something that involved Isabella. And whatever it was, Ethan wasn’t going to let him get away with it.

He exhaled sharply, shoving his phone into his pocket. He needed a plan. And he needed to act fast.

Little did he know, this meeting would change everything.

---

Ethan drove through the city, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. He replayed Gabriel’s words in his head, trying to decipher their meaning. Gabriel always had an agenda, always had a trick up his sleeve. But why now? Why was he reaching out like this?

When he arrived at his penthouse, he quickly dialed Lily’s number. She answered on the first ring. "Ethan? What’s wrong?"

"Gabriel just called me. He wants to meet tonight. Midnight. St. Regis Hotel."

There was a pause on the line before Lily responded, her voice edged with concern. "That’s a trap. You know that, right?"

"Of course, it is. But I don’t have a choice. He said it’s about Isabella."

Lily cursed under her breath. "You can’t go alone."

"I have to. If he sees anyone else, he’ll bolt. I need to find out what he’s planning."

She sighed. "At least let me have backup nearby. Someone watching from a distance."

Ethan hesitated but nodded. "Fine. Have someone stationed outside. But no one interferes unless things go south."

After hanging up, he changed into something dark and inconspicuous. He needed to be prepared for anything.

As the clock neared midnight, Ethan made his way to the St. Regis Hotel. The building loomed ahead, its once-grand architecture now faded with time. He entered the lobby, scanning the empty space before stepping into the elevator. His pulse pounded in his ears as he pressed the button for the penthouse.

The elevator ride was slow, each second stretching unbearably. When the doors finally slid open, he stepped into the dimly lit suite. The curtains were drawn, the room illuminated only by the city lights filtering through the cracks.

Gabriel sat comfortably in a leather chair, a glass of whiskey in his hand. "Right on time."

Ethan didn’t respond. His eyes flickered around the room, searching for signs of danger. "What do you have to say about Isabella?"

Gabriel smirked, swirling his drink. "Always so serious. Relax, Carter. This is just a conversation."

"Get to the point."

Gabriel sighed, setting his glass down. "Fine. I thought you’d like to know that Isabella’s past isn’t as clean as you think."

Ethan’s muscles tensed. "What are you talking about?"

Gabriel leaned forward. "She’s been keeping secrets from you. And I have proof."

Ethan’s breath hitched. He refused to believe Gabriel, but the certainty in his voice sent a wave of unease through him.

Gabriel reached into a drawer and pulled out a folder, sliding it across the table. "Take a look."

Ethan hesitated before picking it up. As he flipped through the contents, his heart pounded. Pictures, documents, emails—things that didn’t make sense. Things that hinted at a betrayal he never saw coming.

His stomach turned. If any of this was true, it could change everything.

Gabriel watched him closely, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. "Now tell me, Carter, do you really know the woman you’re fighting for?"

Ethan clenched his jaw. He wouldn’t let Gabriel manipulate him, but doubt had already taken root. He needed to find Isabella. He needed the truth.

Before he could say another word, the sound of a door unlocking echoed through the suite. Ethan turned sharply, his pulse spiking. Someone else was here.

And then he saw her.