The Greatest God of War

Chapter8

Grace felt an overwhelming sense of regret for having praised Walter and boasted about him to the Evans family. It turned out that Walter was nothing more than a shameless liar, someone who lacked even an ounce of dignity.

"But actually—" Walter began, trying to salvage some of his pride.

“Everything’s already clear! What more do you have to say?” Grace retorted sharply, her voice laced with a mixture of anger and disappointment. “I’m truly disappointed. Now get out, quickly!”

Walter’s face turned pale as her words hit him like a slap. Without saying a single word, he turned and walked out, unable to meet Grace’s fiery gaze. Not even an apology escaped his lips for the lies he’d told so brazenly just moments before.

Ethan watched Walter leave with a faint, amused smile. There was a sense of satisfaction within him—a feeling of justice seeing someone so arrogant finally taste the bitterness of shame.

“Turns out, all those who sought Lily’s attention are just losers!” Lea declared with a smirk, feeling a sense of vindication. For so long, she had endured Grace’s constant condescension and humiliation. This moment felt like a small, yet significant, victory.

“Shut up! Take care of your daughter!” Grace snapped, her voice filled with annoyance.

“Oh, I am. I’m going to take care of my daughter first. Poor thing, carrying that lavish gift all by herself!” Lea said, casting a victorious glance at Grace as she gathered the items from the soldiers’ hands.

Lea laughed, a bright sound that echoed in the silent room. Finally, happiness had arrived in her life—a moment of triumph that felt long overdue.

Grace’s face flushed red with anger and embarrassment as she watched Lea’s smug demeanor.

Andres, who had been watching the scene quietly, stepped forward to try to defuse the tension, but before he could say anything, Ethan lifted a hand to his chest, signaling him to stop. There was no point in explaining that he was the one who had provided the gifts. No one would believe it anyway.

So Ethan chose to let things unfold naturally, knowing that, in time, the truth would come to light and reveal his worth.

After Lea and her daughter had taken the gifts inside, each member of the Evans family followed, their curiosity satisfied for the moment.

“Whoever he is, I’ll marry the man who gave me all these gifts,” Gisel said with a smile, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “I won’t hesitate if he proposes to me one day!”

Seeing everyone, including Lily, heading back inside, Ethan followed after dismissing his men.

But as he stepped into the house, Grace’s sharp gaze caught sight of him, and her anger reignited. She had made it clear she didn’t want to see him again, yet here he was, undeterred.

“What are you doing back in here? Who allowed you to enter?! Get out! You useless man!” Grace yelled, her eyes wide with fury.

This time, Ethan didn’t react to his mother-in-law’s words. Instead, he chose to approach Lily, a determined expression on his face. He was here to make things right, no matter the resistance.

“Are you deaf? Do you really have no ears? I told you to get out of here!” Grace shouted again, her voice echoing in the room.

But instead of heeding her words, Ethan sank to his knees before Lily. He bowed his head, his body exuding a vulnerability he rarely showed.

“I’m sorry!” he began, his voice steady yet filled with remorse. “I apologize for leaving you for five years. I know, and I realize now, that what I did caused you immense suffering. I’m so sorry.”

“Sorry, you say?” Lily’s voice was a mixture of anger and pain. “It’s so easy for you to apologize after everything you’ve done! Leaving without a word or any news for five years left a deep, open wound in my life. It wasn’t just me; it affected Emma too!” Her voice trembled as tears welled up in her eyes.

Lily looked at Ethan, her gaze filled with sadness and a lifetime of unshed tears. She could no longer hold them back as they fell down her cheeks.

“Do you even understand the pain Emma and I have endured since you left?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I had to be both mother and father,” she continued, her voice shaking with emotion. “I faced ridicule from so many people. Maybe I could handle it and ignore them, but when Emma became the target of mockery from her friends for not having a father, it broke my heart.”

Ethan felt his heart shatter at her words. The sadness in her voice struck him like a physical blow, filling him with a deep, gnawing remorse.

When he had left, his intentions had been noble; he had wanted to become someone worthy of her. But he hadn’t realized the heavy burden he’d placed on her shoulders. And to discover now that she’d borne his child, it was almost too much for him to bear.

Ethan no longer cared about pride or appearances. He moved forward on his knees, then prostrated himself before Lily, his forehead touching her feet.

What Ethan did shocked everyone in the room, for they all remembered how proud and authoritative he had once been.

“I beg for forgiveness for everything that happened. I can’t change the past, but for the future, I promise I’ll bring happiness to you both!” he said, his voice breaking. “I would buy the whole world and everything in it just for you!” Ethan’s voice was filled with the utmost sincerity.

Lily looked at her husband, still kneeling and begging for her forgiveness. She could feel the sincerity and depth of his remorse.

Grace, who had been watching from the sidelines, noticed that Lily’s heart was beginning to soften. Panic flickered in her chest.

‘This is dangerous! If Lily forgives him, what will happen to the company? Who can I rely on to save it?’ Grace thought, her heart racing with fear.

“Get up, Ethan! You can’t be like this!” Lily exclaimed, trying to lift him up.

But he refused to stand. There was only one thing that could make him rise: Lily’s forgiveness.

“I’ll stand up if you forgive me,” Ethan said firmly, his eyes locked on hers.

“No matter how long you kneel, my daughter will never forgive you!” Grace declared, her voice filled with venom.

“Well, then I’ll stay like this until Lily forgives me,” Ethan replied, unyielding.

“You two didn’t even know each other initially, and your marriage was forced. Why not let each other go now?” Grace demanded, her face twisting with frustration.

Grace glared at Ethan, a fierce look in her eyes. “My daughter wants happiness. She’s suffered enough. So please, give her a chance to be happy!”

Ethan stood, his stance tall and unwavering, confidence radiating from him. He turned his gaze toward his mother-in-law, meeting her eyes with a calm, determined look.

For a brief moment, Grace’s heart stuttered with fear. She feared Ethan might lash out.

“I am the one who will make her happy, Mom,” Ethan said, his voice steady and resolute. “I promise that from today, only bright days will be ahead for Lily and Emma.”

*****

Author’s Note:

Thank you so much for reading and being part of this journey!

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