SHADOWS OF THE PAST
1656 Words
Chapter 18 – Shadows of the Past
Three days had passed since Ethan and Olivia practiced their first dance.
Life at Carter Manor had settled into a peaceful routine. Every morning began with breakfast together, followed by Ethan leaving for Carter Group while Olivia spent time with William, managed charitable projects, or explored the gardens.
To everyone around them...
They looked like a happily married couple.
And little by little...
They were beginning to feel like one too.
---
Olivia stood in the mansion's kitchen early that morning, wearing a light yellow dress beneath a white apron.
The rich aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls filled the air.
Anna walked in and smiled.
"Mrs. Carter, the kitchen smells wonderful."
Olivia laughed.
"I wanted to surprise everyone."
"I'm sure Mr. Carter will love them."
Olivia looked away shyly.
"I hope so."
Just then, Ethan entered the kitchen.
He had loosened the sleeves of his white shirt, making him look more relaxed than usual.
The moment he stepped inside, he stopped.
"Something smells good."
Olivia smiled brightly.
"Good morning."
"Morning."
She held up one of the warm cinnamon rolls.
"I made breakfast."
Ethan accepted it.
He took one bite before looking at her.
"It's delicious."
Anna quietly smiled to herself.
Mr. Carter no longer hid his compliments.
William entered a moment later.
"I knew I smelled cinnamon."
He happily took a seat.
"I see someone has spoiled us again."
Olivia served breakfast while everyone chatted comfortably.
The dining room, once silent every morning, was now filled with laughter.
William looked from Ethan to Olivia before smiling to himself.
This house finally sounded like a home again.
---
After breakfast, Ethan stood.
"I'll be leaving."
Olivia nodded.
"I'll see you tonight."
He hesitated.
Then he walked back toward her.
"There will be heavy rain later."
She looked surprised.
"So?"
"Take a car if you go anywhere."
She smiled warmly.
"I will."
Only after receiving her answer did Ethan finally leave.
William noticed everything.
"My grandson worries."
Olivia laughed softly.
"He just likes giving instructions."
William shook his head.
"No."
"He worries."
Her smile slowly faded as she thought about it.
Maybe...
He really did.
---
Meanwhile...
At Carter Group Headquarters...
The weekly executive meeting was underway.
Charts and financial reports covered the large conference table.
One director smiled.
"The company's reputation has improved significantly after the charity gala."
Another nodded.
"Public opinion has never been stronger."
A third executive added,
"Much of that is because of Mrs. Carter."
Several board members agreed.
"Ethan, your wife has become surprisingly popular."
Ethan remained calm.
"She earned that herself."
Richard Collins smiled.
"You sound proud."
For the first time...
Ethan didn't deny it.
"I am."
The room fell silent.
Several directors exchanged surprised glances.
The cold, reserved chairman they had worked with for years had openly admitted he was proud of someone.
That alone was headline-worthy.
---
Across the city...
Inside a luxurious penthouse office...
Victor Hayes stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking New York.
A large photograph of Ethan and Olivia from the charity gala lay on his desk.
His secretary entered cautiously.
"Sir."
Victor didn't turn around.
"What?"
"We've gathered everything you requested."
She handed him a thick folder.
Victor opened it slowly.
Inside were pages detailing Olivia's background.
Her parents.
Her education.
Her relationship with Mason.
Her marriage to Ethan.
He smirked.
"So..."
"She's ordinary."
The secretary nodded.
"Very ordinary."
Victor closed the file.
"Perfect."
She looked confused.
"Sir?"
"The easiest people to break..."
"...are the ones with kind hearts."
His cold smile sent a chill through the room.
"Keep watching them."
"I want to know where they go."
"Who they meet."
"And when Ethan isn't by her side."
"Yes, sir."
After she left, Victor picked up the newspaper again.
His eyes rested on Ethan's smiling face.
"I couldn't destroy you through business."
"So..."
"I'll destroy the person you care about instead."
He folded the newspaper carefully.
"This game..."
"...is just beginning."
---
Back at Carter Manor...
Olivia stood in the gardens with William, helping him plant new white rose bushes.
She laughed as a little soil landed on her cheek.
William smiled.
"Gardening suits you."
"I enjoy it."
"You make everything around you brighter."
She smiled shyly.
"You're always complimenting me."
"Because it's true."
Neither of them noticed a black luxury sedan parked quietly outside the estate gates.
Inside...
A man wearing dark sunglasses lowered his camera after taking several photographs.
One picture showed Ethan leaving for work.
Another showed Olivia smiling beside William.
He immediately sent the images to Victor Hayes.
Within seconds...
His phone vibrated.
A single reply appeared on the screen.
Keep watching. Don't make a move yet.
The man started the engine and slowly drove away.
Unaware that someone had begun watching every step they took...
Olivia smiled as she watered the newly planted roses.
She had no idea that the peaceful life she had finally found...
Was about to be threatened by a shadow from Ethan's past.
The afternoon sky gradually darkened, just as the weather forecast had predicted.
Heavy gray clouds rolled across the city, and within minutes, rain began to fall steadily against the windows of Carter Manor.
Olivia stood in the living room, watching the raindrops race down the glass.
"He was right," she murmured with a smile.
"He really does pay attention."
Anna approached carrying a tray of hot tea.
"Mrs. Carter?"
Olivia turned.
"Yes?"
"Mr. Carter called earlier."
"He did?"
Anna nodded.
"He asked if you had gone out."
Olivia couldn't hide her smile.
"And what did you tell him?"
"I said you were safely at home."
Olivia looked back at the rain.
"He really was worried."
Anna smiled knowingly.
"I think everyone in this house can see it."
---
At Carter Group Headquarters, Ethan had just finished another meeting when Daniel entered his office.
"The rain has become heavier."
Ethan looked toward the window.
"I noticed."
Daniel hesitated before speaking.
"You've checked your phone three times in the last ten minutes."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"Have I?"
"Yes."
"...Are you expecting an important call?"
For a brief moment, Ethan remained silent.
Then he picked up his phone and sent Olivia a short message.
Did you stay home?
Less than a minute later, his phone vibrated.
Yes. I'm enjoying tea with Grandpa. Drive safely.
Without realizing it...
A small smile appeared on Ethan's face.
Daniel saw it immediately.
"I'll pretend I didn't notice."
Ethan simply placed his phone back on the desk.
---
Across the city...
Victor Hayes sat in his office, studying the surveillance photographs spread across his desk.
His assistant entered.
"Our man has been watching Mrs. Carter all day."
Victor looked up.
"Did she leave the estate?"
"No."
He frowned.
"What about tomorrow?"
"We don't know yet."
Victor slowly tapped his fingers against the desk.
"Continue watching."
"I don't want mistakes."
The assistant nodded.
"Understood."
Victor picked up one of the photographs showing Olivia smiling beside William.
His expression darkened.
"Enjoy your peaceful days..."
"...because they won't last."
---
That evening, Ethan arrived home earlier than usual.
The moment he stepped inside, Mr. Harris greeted him.
"Welcome home, sir."
"Thank you."
"Mrs. Carter is in the library."
Ethan nodded before walking there.
As he quietly opened the door, he found Olivia sitting beside the fireplace with a novel resting on her lap.
She looked up immediately.
"You're home."
"I am."
She closed her book with a smile.
"How was work?"
"Busy."
He noticed the untouched cup of tea beside her.
"It's cold."
"I was waiting for you."
His heart warmed unexpectedly.
"You didn't have to."
"I wanted to."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The silence between them was peaceful.
Comfortable.
Ethan sat beside her.
"What are you reading?"
She showed him the cover.
"A classic romance."
He smiled faintly.
"I've never been interested in romance novels."
She laughed.
"I didn't think you would."
"What happens in it?"
She looked at him mischievously.
"If I tell you, I'll spoil the ending."
"I don't mind."
"The hero spends years believing he doesn't deserve love."
Ethan listened quietly.
"And?"
"The heroine proves him wrong."
He looked thoughtfully into the fireplace.
"I suppose she was persistent."
Olivia smiled.
"The best people usually are."
---
A loud clap of thunder echoed outside.
Almost immediately, the lights flickered before the entire mansion was plunged into darkness.
"Oh!" Olivia gasped.
The rain continued to pound against the windows.
A few seconds later, emergency lights softly illuminated the hallway.
Mr. Harris entered carrying two candles.
"The backup generator will take a few minutes."
"There's no need to worry."
After placing the candles on the table, he quietly left.
The warm candlelight filled the library, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
Olivia smiled.
"I actually like this."
"You do?"
She nodded.
"It reminds me of when Mason and I would light candles during power outages."
She laughed softly.
"We used to tell each other stories until the lights came back."
Ethan looked at her.
"What kind of stories?"
"Fairy tales."
"And sometimes ghost stories."
He chuckled.
"You don't seem afraid."
"I'm not."
She looked at him with a playful smile.
"Unless you're planning to scare me."
"I wasn't."
"I'm relieved."
They both laughed.
Outside, lightning flashed across the sky.
Inside, the soft candlelight reflected in Olivia's eyes.
Ethan found himself staring at her again.
She noticed.
"You're doing it again."
"What?"
"Staring."
He didn't look away this time.
"I know."
She smiled shyly.
"I suppose I'll have to get used to it."
"You might."
Their laughter filled the quiet library.
Neither of them knew that, beyond the gates of Carter Manor, another black sedan sat hidden beneath the trees.
The man inside lowered his binoculars.
"They're together."
He reached for his phone.
Victor answered immediately.
"Report."
"They're inside the mansion."
"They look... happy."
Victor's expression hardened.
"Not for long."
He ended the call and looked out over the city.
"Tomorrow..."
"...the first move begins.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD