chapter nineteen
645 Words
A Husband's Choice
The study fell into a suffocating silence.
Ethan stood at the doorway, his sharp gaze fixed on the stranger.
The man's smile never wavered.
"It's been a long time, Ethan."
Ethan's expression turned icy.
"I thought I made it clear that you were never to step into my house again."
Maya's eyes moved between the two men.
"You... know each other?"
The stranger chuckled.
"Know each other? Your husband and I have a very long history."
Ethan took a slow step forward.
"Leave."
The single word carried enough authority to make the room feel colder.
Instead of leaving, the man looked at Maya.
"You should ask him why he really married you."
Maya frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
Before the man could answer, Ethan spoke firmly.
"Not another word."
The stranger laughed softly.
"Still trying to protect her?"
"I said, leave."
For the first time, the smile disappeared from the man's face.
He looked at Ethan for several long seconds before nodding.
"This isn't over."
As he reached the door, he stopped beside Maya.
Without looking at her, he whispered,
"The truth has a way of destroying love."
Then he walked away.
The sound of the front door closing echoed through the mansion.
Maya turned slowly toward Ethan.
Her heart was racing.
"Who was he?"
Ethan remained silent.
She stepped closer.
"Ethan..."
"I'll handle it."
His answer was calm.
Too calm.
She shook her head.
"No."
"I deserve to know."
"You do."
"Then tell me."
Ethan looked away.
"I can't."
Her chest tightened.
"You can't..."
"Or you won't?"
Silence answered her.
Tears gathered in Maya's eyes.
"So everyone keeps telling me to trust them..."
She smiled sadly.
"...while hiding the truth from me."
She turned to leave.
But Ethan gently caught her hand.
"Maya."
She stopped walking.
His fingers loosened immediately, giving her the choice to pull away.
She didn't.
"I know you're angry," he said quietly.
"I'm scared."
Her voice broke.
"I'm tired of waking up every day wondering who I really am in this story."
Ethan's heart clenched.
He stepped closer until only a breath separated them.
"You are my wife."
Maya laughed bitterly.
"On paper?"
He slowly shook his head.
"No."
She looked into his eyes.
"Then what am I?"
For a long moment, Ethan simply looked at her.
Then, with complete honesty, he answered.
"The woman I'm afraid to lose."
Everything around Maya seemed to stop.
Her heartbeat.
Her thoughts.
Even the rain outside felt quieter.
"You..."
She couldn't finish the sentence.
Ethan raised a hand slowly and gently brushed a tear from her cheek.
"I don't know when it happened."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"But somewhere between trying to protect you..."
He paused.
"...I fell in love with you."
Maya stared at him in disbelief.
She had imagined hearing those words countless times.
But now that they had finally been spoken...
She didn't know how to respond.
"Ethan..."
He smiled sadly.
"I know."
"You don't have to say anything."
She looked down, trying to calm the storm inside her heart.
"I should hate you."
"I know."
"I should leave."
"I know."
She lifted her eyes again.
"So why can't I?"
Before Ethan could answer...
The lights throughout the mansion suddenly went out.
Darkness swallowed the room.
Maya gasped softly.
Instinctively, she reached for Ethan.
His arms wrapped around her without hesitation.
"Don't be afraid," he whispered close to her ear.
"I'm here."
Her hands gripped his shirt tightly.
For the first time since their marriage...
She didn't pull away.
She leaned into him.
Feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her cheek.
Outside, thunder rolled across the sky.
Inside the darkness...
Neither of them noticed the shadow watching from the garden window.
A phone was raised.
Several photographs were taken.
Click.
Click.
Click.
A cold voice whispered,
"Perfect..."
"Now everything can begin."
- Writer
