THE WOMAN I CAN’T LOSE

Ethan’s POV

Ah, honey. Too long has gone by now.

 The voice shot down my spine.

 Sonia turned stiffly next to me.

 I turned swiftly, my whole body alert as Celine entered the room.

 La celine delacroix. Starting all of this was the woman.

 She grinned, a slow, poisonous thing. "Did you overlook me, darling?"

 Sonia's eyes became wide. "Numer. Not possible.

 Celine looked at her, then her smile darkened. "Oh, darling, it's actual. I'm back.

 Sonia retreated with a faltering stride. She had fear flickering in her eyes.

 Celine looked at me, then her voice fell to a purr.

 "And I believe it's time we wrap up what we started on. Don't you?"

 My blood grew frigid.

 Sonia cast a glance at me, waiting for me to speak. Denying it. In order to drive Celine away.

 But I said nothing at all.

 Since the truth was...

 Celine still commanded influence over me.

 And Sonia understood it now as well.

 Her eyes grew black with treachery.

 She turned her heel and left.

 And hence this time?

 I was unsure about her returning schedule.

"You should have stopped me."

Sonia's comments kept coming back to me, her voice cutting with treachery. Before she left my office, I looked at her heartbroken eyes for the final time.

 I ought to have pursued her.

 I should have informed her that nothing about Celine's comeback meant anything to me.

 I ought to have done plenty of things.

 Instead, though, I stood there fists closed, the ghost of my past grinning at me from across the room.

 Celine opened her arms and raised a contented head. "That went well; don't you find it?"

 I turned on her, voice low and lethal. "What the whirl are you doing here?"

 She tsked and started to approach. "Is that any approach to welcome the woman who once had your heart?"

 I laughed hard, a little nasty. "You never had my heart, Celine. You were weak, just as I am.

 Her lips turned curving. Still, your wife just raced out of here believing otherwise.

 A muscle twitch in my jaw.

 Her name was not my wife's'. Not right yet.

 And Sonia never would not be once I let her go.

 I turned towards the door, but Celine's words stopped me dead.

 "Make sure you never see your son again if you walk out now, Ethan."

 I stop.

 As the gravity of her words sank in, my whole body went stiff. slow and smothering.

 I spun back, my voice lethal. " What did you just say?"

 Celine gracefully. Sweet. dangerous. "Oh, sweetheart. You didn't believe I returned only for nostalgia for bygone eras?"

 My fists closed. " If you even consider touching Lucas—"

 She sighed, bored as she was. "Unwind. I wouldn't treat the lad badly. I do, however, have some effect. And I could see Sonia deprived of custody of him if I so wished. Permanently.

 My blood ran hot. You lack that type of authority.

 She came closer, trailed a well-groomed nail down my breast. "Don't I?"

 I kicked her hand away. You keep the heck away from my son.

 Celine gave a sly smile. "That is totally depending on you, Ethan."

 I breathed sharply, trying to think. I had to leave here. Sonia needed to be found before it was too late.

 But Celine had just made it plain—she was back to perform, and she did dirty.

 I dialled Sonia's phone and hurried from my workplace.

 It reverberated. Also rang. Then proceeded directly to voicemail.

 Dammit! Mumbling, I ran a hand over my hair.

 I got back on the queue. Not at all.

 I murmured a swear beneath my breath.

 I had to look for her. Present now.

 When I got to my car, my phone buzzed before I could ignite the engine.

 a work of text. From an unidentified figure.

 I closed it with a click.

 Sonia: Stay away from following me. We are through.

 None.

 I clenched my teeth, my hold around the phone strengthening.

 I allowed her to go.

 I tore out of the parking lot after pumping the petrol.

 She was dead wrong if she felt she could flee from me.

 Her bag was next to her as I watched her standing outside a motel.

 Lucas stood next to her holding her hand.

 I hardly got the vehicle in park before leaving.

 "Sona."

 She tensed but turned no direction. leave, Ethan.

 I walked straight towards her, disregarded her. You're not leaving.

 She swirled, flames dancing in her eyes. "Look at me."

 I let out a strong breath while maintaining composure. "We must speak."

 "We have nothing left to say."

 Lucas stared up at me, perplexity all over his face. "Daddy?"

 My chest grew tense. I had hardly spent time with him, and now she was attempting to whisk him away once more.

 My voice quieter, I knelt in front of him. Hello friend. Where are you headed?"

 Before muttering, "Mommy says we have to leave," Lucas turned to look at Sonia.

 I tightened my jaw.

 Looking up at Sonia, my voice dropped. "You're not dragging him from me again."

 She gave a nasty stare. "He doesn't play pawns in your games, Ethan."

 "He’s my son!" My voice became higher as irritation boiled over. "You do not get to make this decision on your own."

 Her eyes burned with defiance and suffering. "Remember? I never had a choice before."

 I felt guilt cutting through me.

 She pointed out the proper thing. I had tossed her aside. drove her out of my life without second thought.

 Still, that was not happening once more.

 I moved closer and lowered my voice. "You need not do this, Sonia."

 She gave a sour laugh. Yes, I do. Since if I stay I lose. once more.

 I let off a breath. She came not trusting of me. And following all this, how could she?

 Still, I was not the man I was five years ago.

 I said decisively, "I'm not letting you go."

 Her chin was up. "You are not free to choose."

 I moved forward still another step, my voice harsh and full of something I hadn't let myself experience in years.

 Marry me.

 Her pulse stopped. " What?"

 I grabbed her hand and held it firmly. In desperation.

 " marry me, Sonia." Again, be my wife.

 Stared at me, she seemed astonished. You're crazy.

 "Maybe," I said, acknowledging "But I'm not interested if it keeps you here."

 Her lips parted, her breathing erratic.

 I spotted it. That flickering of doubt. Her half that still yearned for me and for this remained.

 She then turned aside. "Negative."

 I drew in a long breath. "Sonia"—

 No, Ethan. Her eyes were steel but her voice faltered. You don't get to break me again.

 My throat grew tighter. She assumed I would harm her once more.

 Not that I would.

 Neither could I.

 I moved a low-key step closer. "Give me an opportunity to disprove you."

 She gave her head a shake. " It's too late."

 One lump developed in my throat. "It's never too late."

 Her eyes full of unshed tears she tightened her jaw. "I am not able to do this."

 Lucas held her hand and pulled. "Momma?"

 She looked down at him and choked hard.

 And I understood that this was my one shot.

 I thereby set off the kill.

 Quietly, "you leave now," I murmured, "and Celine wins."

 Sonia froze.

 Her head jerked, her look changing from agony to pure, ferocious anger.

 " What did you just say?"

 I let t

he terms sink in. She had to find out.