Chapter 7 Unraveling Secrets

In the days following the charity event, Emily and Ethan’s relationship grew increasingly strained. Their confrontation in his office had created a palpable distance; Ethan secluded himself in his study, immersed in work, while Emily wandered the penthouse, feeling isolated and restless. Ethan’s dismissive remark about the woman at the event “she’s nothing” continued to haunt Emily. His words and actions didn’t align, fueling her growing unease. One afternoon, Ethan returned unexpectedly from a meeting, his presence both commanding and unsettling. Emily rose from the couch, her pulse quickening. His demeanor was cool and indifferent, a stark contrast to the warmth they once shared. “Do you need something?” he asked, his tone detached. The question stung, but Emily maintained her composure. She had endured too much to let him see her vulnerability. “Yes,” she replied steadily. “We need to talk about what happened.” Ethan’s eyes narrowed, his posture rigid. “I told you there’s nothing to discuss.” Frustration bubbled within Emily. “There is everything to discuss. You can’t shut me out whenever things get uncomfortable. You can’t keep lying to me.” Silence enveloped them, tension thick in the air. Ethan remained still, his gaze fixed on her, as if calculating his next move. Emily’s heart raced, a mix of frustration and a desperate need for the truth propelling her forward. He exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening. “You think I’m lying to you?” “You’ve been keeping something from me,” she insisted. “I see it in how you act, how you look at me as if you’re waiting for something to go wrong. Your secrecy is tearing us apart.” A flicker of emotion crossed Ethan’s face before his mask of indifference returned. He stepped back, creating physical distance as if to push away the conversation’s weight. “I’m doing this to protect you, Emily. You don’t understand the danger you’re in. The less you know, the better.” A chill ran down Emily’s spine. This was the first time he had openly mentioned her being in danger. His cold demeanor was cracking, revealing a darker undercurrent. His silence only fueled her questions. “I don’t feel protected, Ethan,” she said softly but firmly. “I feel like a pawn in your game a responsibility, nothing more. If you’re truly trying to protect me, why can’t you trust me with the truth? Why can’t you let me in?” He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. The stoic facade she knew so well seemed to falter. He was battling something deep within. “Because you don’t want to know,” he said, his tone tinged with regret. “There are things beyond your understanding, beyond this house, beyond my control. I can’t let you be part of that.” Emily refused to retreat. She stepped closer, her eyes searching his face for answers. “I’m not going anywhere, Ethan. Not after everything we’ve been through. I deserve to know the truth. I deserve more than being kept in the dark.” He hesitated, lips pressed tightly together. The silence was thick with unspoken tension. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and laden with emotion. “Do you know why I agreed to this marriage, Emily?” he asked deliberately. “It wasn’t just to keep you safe. Your ex-husband… he’s dangerous. When I realized that, I knew I had to protect you at all costs not just from him, but from those who would use you to get to me. I won’t let that happen.” Emily’s breath caught. Ethan’s coldness and distance were rooted in his desire to shield her from unforeseen dangers. But his secrecy had built a wall between them. “You could’ve told me,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “You could’ve trusted me. Instead, you shut me out like a stranger.” He closed his eyes, absorbing her words. When he opened them, vulnerability shone through. “I never wanted you caught in the crossfire,” he said quietly. “But it’s not just your ex-husband. The danger is bigger than you think, beyond my control. I’ve been trying to keep you safe, but I don’t know how much longer I can.” Emily’s heart ached as she processed his confession. She had sensed his secrecy but hadn’t grasped the depth of the peril surrounding them. “You can’t keep me in the dark forever,” she said, stepping closer, her voice both vulnerable and determined. “I’m not fragile. I can handle it. I need you to trust me.” For the first time, Ethan didn’t pull away. He reached out, his hand brushing hers a small gesture that meant everything. The walls between them were crumbling, the truth finally surfacing. It wasn’t just about external dangers; it was about what they meant to each other. Ethan’s eyes softened, revealing uncertainty and fear.