Time flew by quickly, and noon was fast approaching. Ethan paced nervously at the pier, checking his watch every few minutes. It had been over an hour, and Ella still hadn’t shown up. His frustration simmered, though a deeper anxiety gnawed at him. “What if she had changed her mind? He thought”
Meanwhile, Ella was at home, anxiously waiting for Derek to arrive. She couldn’t leave the twins alone and couldn’t take them with her to meet Ethan because it was not safe. When Derek finally knocked on the door, Ella ushered him in quickly. “Sorry for the rush, Derek,” she said. “Ethan wants to meet me. It might take longer than expected, so please keep an eye on the boys.”
Derek nodded, sensing the tension in her voice. “Don’t worry, I’ve got them covered. Be careful.”
Ella offered him a tight
