Chapter Six

Ethan

The boardroom was stifling, and it felt like going to the hangman.

I wheeled myself to the head of the table, forcing myself to sit taller, to exude the power that my body no longer carried. 

The polished mahogany table mirrored the faces on the board members' chair who stared at me and Veronica in the manner of vultures circling a wounded animal.

Fuck this. I cursed under my breath. 

Veronica sat smugly near the other end, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against the table. 

She wore a sharp crimson dress, the kind designed to command attention, and her green eyes gleamed with calculated malice.

“Ethan”, she began, her voice syrupy sweet, “We’re all here because we care deeply about the future of Steele Enterprises. But we have to face reality, leadership requires certain... capabilities.”

She glanced at my legs and smiled. 

I held my fists beneath the table, trying, unsuccessfully, to maintain composure. 

“I can't be doubted, Veronica," I told her, in a deadpan manner. X I've steered this company through quite harder conditions than most of you could potentially conceive.”

She tilted her head, feigning concern. “No one is questioning your brilliance, Ethan. But physical limitations can hinder day to day operations. It’s only natural for the board to consider alternatives.”

“Alternatives?” I repeated, my tone sharper now. “When this company was handed over to me by my father, no one had spoken of alternatives then.”

She smiled, the kind of smile that made you want to punch a wall. 

“Temporary alternatives, of course. A partner, if you will, to help you get through this….ordeal.”

All eyes were trained on me. It was suffocating, and even though no one voiced it out, I could feel their disapproval of a man in a wheelchair. 

The sting burned in my flesh, but I wouldn't let it escape my fingertips.

Before I could say anything, Amelia's voice broke through. I'd almost forgotten she'd come with me.

“Excuse me,” she said, rising from her seat.

All eyes turned to her.

 She was wearing a soft cream blouse tucked into tailored black slacks, her chestnut hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders. 

Her posture was straight, and there was no expression on her face.

“You all seem very concerned about Ethan’s physical limitations”, she began, her voice steady. “But last I checked, this company thrived because of his intellect, his strategy, and his leadership. None of which have anything to do with whether or not he can walk.”

Veronica’s smile faltered, but just slightly.

Amelia continued, she didn't seem to notice the glares Veronica shot her or the stoic faces of the board members.

“This isn’t about Ethan’s capabilities. This is about your discomfort with change. You’re afraid that someone who doesn’t fit your idea of a ‘leader’ might actually outperform you. And that's just what Ethan's been doing even now.”

The room fell silent. I was quite amazed at her passion, the way she spoke like she actually believed in me more than I believed myself.

Veronica made a quick recovery, her lips set into a predatory grin. “You’re quite the advocate, Amelia. But I’m afraid you’re a little out of your depth. This is a matter for the board to decide.”

“I’m Ethan’s wife, " Amelia shot back, her voice rising slightly. “That makes it my business. And if you for a second imagine I'm going to allow you to impeach him, you are sorely mistaken.”

The members of the board looked at one another, clearly surprised at the turn of events. Understandably not happy about the battle. 

Verónica, on the other hand, just rolled back her chair with her eyes focused on Amelia.

“This isn’t your business,” she shot back, her voice icy.

I turned to the rest of the board. “Unless there’s anything else, this meeting is adjourned.”

They mumbled frowning and shooting glares at Veronica.

“This isn't your fight, Mrs Steele.” One of the board members, a stocky built man with a salt and pepper stubble spoke up.

“And it isn't yours either. This company was handed over to Mr. Steele by his father. I'm sure you know there are legal documents binding this?”

“And who are you? A lawyer?” The man asked, cocking his head to the side, as he sized her up.

There was something about the way the man kept looking at her that irritated and disgusted me. He was checking her out.

“No, I'm a therapist. Which is how I know that you've all been offered something to be here trying to fight a lost cause.”

Veronica bristled. “How dare you, you little—”

“That will be all. Get out, all of you.” I ordered, keeping my voice calm, but firm. No one was going to disrespect my wife in front of me, disabled or not.

“The meeting isn't over yet.” Another board member pointed out.

“Well, now it is. Leave, all of you. This meeting is adjourned.” Fortunately, Amelia was right, and it amazed me that she remembered such detail even when I had not.

Actually, I didn't think much about the legal process of handing over the company. I was younger then, and had been awfully concerned with making a name for myself, to think about that.

But now that she said it, I realised it was true. They couldn't do anything to me, I legally owned the company.

“We're only looking out for the interest of the company, Mr. Steele. And our shares.” The stockily built man said with a frown.

 And then, one by one, they all started to leave the room.

Amelia stayed rooted to her spot, her arms crossed as she stared down Veronica. 

With huff of anger, Veronica stalked out after the board members, cursing under breath.

When at last the room was clear, I dragged myself toward the door, my jaw tightly clenched.

“Ethan—” Amelia started, but I held up a hand.

“Not here,” I said tersely. “Follow me.”

She hesitated but nodded, trailing behind me as I led the way to my private office. I closed the door and turned to look at her.

“What the hell was that?” I demanded.

She crossed her arms, her hazel eyes flashing. “That was me standing up for you.”

“I don't want you to take my place fighting my war" I snarled.

“Well, someone has to,” she shot back. “Because you seem more interested in proving you can do it all alone than accepting help when it’s offered.” she bent down, her eyes leveling with mine.

I stared at her, my chest heaving with frustration. She was infuriating. Reckless. And yet...

And yet, she’d defended me in a way no one else ever had.

“You don't know what it's like, " I said, my tone much quieter now. “To lose everything that made you who you are. To feel like less than a man.”

Her expression softened, and she took a step closer. “You’re not less than anything, Ethan. You’re brilliant, stubborn, and capable of driving me completely insane, but you’re not less.”

The words hung between us, heavy and charged. 

I paid her attention, I really looked at her, the style of her hair that gave shape to her face, how her lips barely parted up as she looked for the right explanation.

Before I could think better of it, I rolled and closed the distance between us. My hand cupped her face, and for a moment, her eyes widened in surprise.

 Then, without hesitation, I kissed her.

It wasn’t soft or tentative. It was impulsive, fiery, and utterly reckless. 

Her lips were warm, and for a split second, she kissed me back, her hands gripping the arms of my chair.

But then, she recoiled, breathing very shallowly while she fixed her gaze on me, her cheeks flushed.

“Ethan,” she began, breathlessly.

I opened my mouth to respond, but I didn’t know what to say. The atmosphere in the room was charged, different and for the first time in a long time, I was completely out of sorts.

“You can’t just—” she started, then shook her head, frustration and something else flashing across her face.

I rolled back slightly, needing to put some space between us. “I didn’t mean—”

“Don’t,” she said, cutting me off. Her voice was strong, but her eyes revealed her frustration. “Just... don’t.”

And with that, she turned and walked out of the room, leaving me alone with the taste of her still lingering on my lips and a gnawing sense of regret twisting in my gut.

I shouldn't have kissed her.

And yet…