The morning sun had a gentle way of spilling over the bay windows of their new home—so different from the thunder, sleet, and storms that had framed the darker chapters of their past. Here, there was quiet. Here, there was warmth.Minnie stood barefoot in the kitchen, clad in one of Ethan’s shirts, her fingers wrapped around a mug of jasmine tea. The silence of the house was comforting—fragile, but soft, like a paper lantern. Outside, the city buzzed as it always did, but inside, time slowed.Ethan walked in moments later, towel draped over his shoulders, fresh from a morning run. He looked at her for a long second—just looked. And she offered a small smile. Their language had changed since everything; it was subtler now, tender in a way that only two scarred souls could manage.“Tea?” she offered.He nodded. “Thanks.”She poured him a cup and passed it over. Their fingers brushed, and neither flinched. Small victories.They sat at the breakfast nook, the air between them filled with
The grand ballroom of the Lockwood estate gleamed beneath the glow of twin crystal chandeliers, each one older than the estate itself and imported from a forgotten French palace. They cast kaleidoscopic reflections across the polished marble floors—light sparkling like champagne bubbles bursting midair. The subtle perfume of white roses and sandalwood drifted on the air as music swelled gently in the background—refined jazz played by a live quartet tucked into the far corner. This wasn’t merely a party. It was a moment decades in the making.Tonight was a celebration. Of love. Of survival. Of victory.Ethan Lockwood stood near the towering arched windows that framed the estate’s moonlit gardens, a glass of aged Macallan scotch in his hand. The black tailored suit he wore hugged him like royalty, no tie, just the open-collar ease of a man comfortable in his power. He looked out over the crowd, seeing not faces but journeys—board members who once doubted him, clients who had turned away
Cassie folded her arms, leaning against the doorway with one eyebrow raised as she watched Ellie spin in front of the mirror for the third time."Okay," Cassie said dryly. "Either you're auditioning for a perfume commercial, or you're going on a date with a guy who used to be a total mess."Ellie paused mid-spin, smoothing down the flowy teal dress she had chosen—one that clung in all the right places but still looked effortlessly casual. “Can’t it be both?”Cassie smirked. “Just making sure you’re aware you said yes to Hunter. You know… Hunter Lockwood. Formerly engaged to She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, casually tried to burn down his brother’s life?”Ellie reached for her earrings. “He didn’t try to burn it down. He just… temporarily lost his moral compass.”Cassie rolled her eyes. “His compass was on fire and spinning wildly. And now you’re his north star?”Ellie paused, then looked at herself in the mirror. “He’s changed, Cass. You’ve seen it. He’s calm now. He’s funny. He actually l
The clink of porcelain against marble echoed softly in the Lockwood estate's sun-drenched kitchen. Marlena stood at the counter, pouring a second cup of coffee, her sharp eyes scanning through the financial pages. She looked up when she heard Ethan’s footsteps, her son walking in with that look on his face—the one she recognized from when he was a boy, about to ask for something bold.“Sit,” she said without looking, sliding him a cup. “You’ve got that expression again.”Ethan smirked, pulling out the stool across from her. “What expression?”“The one that usually ends with me getting a phone call from a private investigator or a very confused lawyer.”He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “No lawyers involved this time. Promise.”“That’s a relief.”He took a sip and looked at her. Really looked at her.There were still fine creases around her eyes, but they’d softened lately. The Marlena of the last few weeks had thawed—not completely, of course—but enough to let warmth peek thr
Chapter: The Interview That Changed EverythingThe studio lights were almost blinding, but Ethan Lockwood sat with his back straight, jaw tight, and expression calm. He wore a crisp black suit with a dark navy shirt beneath it—no tie. He didn’t need one to command attention. His silence spoke louder than most men’s shouts.The host, a seasoned woman in her early fifties named Lana , sat across from him. She had the reputation of being sharp, fair, and unflinchingly direct. This was not just an interview—it was a trial by media, a public reckoning. The audience knew it. So did Ethan.“Mr. Lockwood,” Lana began, her voice smooth but piercing. “You’ve had a tumultuous year. The public has followed every twist in your story. First, your unexpected engagement, then the revelation that your wife was involved in a corporate data breach, followed by a kidnapping and near-death experience. Why did you agree to this interview?”Ethan took a moment, then looked her square in the eyes. “Because t
The prison gates loomed before them, tall and gray against the cold morning light.Ethan adjusted his collar as he stepped out of the black sedan, Minnie following closebehind, her eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses. The air was thick with tension, thoughneither of them said a word as they were escorted through security.They hadn’t come to gloat. That had never been the purpose, at least not for Minnie.But Ethan—he had questions. Questions that had clawed at the edges of his mind forweeks, demanding answers. And today, Amanda had no choice but to face them.Inside, the visiting room was just as sterile and harsh as they imagined. White walls.Metal chairs bolted to the floor. A guard stationed at every corner.Amanda was already seated.Gone was the sleek, coiffed woman who once stormed into rooms like a queen. Her hairwas disheveled, tied into a limp ponytail. Her eyes were puffy and shadowed. She didn’tlook surprised to see them—only annoyed."Oh look," she said, her voice dr