Lahat ng Kabanata ng I’m Back, Mr. CEO : Kabanata 291 - Kabanata 300

{ETHAN POV}The wine burns my eyes, but I force them to stay open just long enough to see Sophie’s panicked face before I let myself collapse.“What did you…” I slur the words deliberately, making them sound more affected than I am. “What was in that…”I stumble toward the door, letting my legs give out exactly where I planned. In the hallway. Where the security camera Derek installed this morning will catch everything.Sophie drags me back into the room. I let my body go limp, dead weight, making it harder for her. Making sure she struggles. Making sure every second of this is documented.The small recording device in my shirt pocket is still running. It has been since before I arrived. Every word. Every confession. Every moment of her admitting she loves me, that she’s obsessed, that Maya is “hers.”All recorded.She positions me on the bed, and I keep my breathing steady, deep. Playing unconscious while my mind races.This is it. The moment we’ve been planning for three days.When

“Because we’re not.” Maya’s voice is gentle now. Sad. “I’m sorry if I ever gave you the wrong impression. Sorry if my friendship made you think there could be something more. But Sophie, what you did, what you’ve been doing, that’s not love. That's an obsession. And it’s sick.”“The police are on their way,” James says quietly. “I called them before we came up. They’ll want statements from all of us. And Sophie, you’ll be arrested. Charged with assault, drugging, stalking, harassment. You’re looking at serious prison time.”“I don’t care.” Sophie’s still staring at Maya. “I don’t care about prison. I don’t care about charges. I only care that I’m losing you.”“You already lost me. The moment you lied about Ethan. The moment you destroyed an innocent man’s life for your own twisted purposes.” Maya turns away. “I can’t even look at you.”She walks to me. Stops a few feet away. Her eyes are red, face blotchy from crying.“Ethan, I—”“Not here. Not now.” I glance at Sophie, still crumpled

“No. Sophie destroyed him. You were her weapon, but you weren’t the villain.” She pulls back, looking at me directly. “And my son loves you. Has loved you since you were children. One month of hell doesn’t erase that. Doesn’t change that.”“I don’t know if I can forgive myself.”“Then let us help you. Let Ethan help you. Let all of us help you.” She glances at her son. “You’re both victims of Sophie’s obsession. Both of you need to heal.”Lucas stands now, moving beside Serena. “Maya, I’ve watched Ethan these past few weeks even though I only visited San Francisco for just few days. Watched him fall apart, barely eating, barely sleeping, consumed with proving his innocence. Not because he wanted revenge on Sophie. But because he wanted you back. Wanted you to know the truth.”“I know.” My voice is small. “I know he never stopped fighting for us.”“And you never stopped loving him,” Lin says. “Even when you thought he was guilty, I saw how it was destroying you. How you couldn’t sleep,

The greenhouse in our garden is beautiful at night.Now it’s filled with twinkling lights. Hundreds of them, strung through the plants and flowers, creating a canopy of stars above us.“This is beautiful,” I breathe, looking around. “When did you have time to do all this?”“I had help.” Ethan takes my hand, leading me deeper into the greenhouse. “My mom, Lucas, Derek, even your mom flew in this morning to help set up.”“My mom knew about this?” I stop walking. “What is ‘this’ exactly?”He smiles, nervous. I’ve never seen him nervous before. “Just trust me. Please.”We’ve been back together for three days. Three careful, tentative days of therapy sessions and long talks and learning how to be around each other again without the weight of Sophie’s lies between us.It hasn’t been easy. I keep catching myself doubting, wondering if I’m making another mistake. And Ethan keeps pulling back when he wants to touch me, uncertain if he’s allowed, if I’m ready.We’re broken. Both of us. Trying t

Six months later.The greenhouse looks different in daylight. Softer. More magical somehow, with afternoon sun streaming through the glass ceiling and white flowers everywhere.I stand in the small room off to the side, staring at myself in the mirror. The dress is simple, elegant. Ivory lace with a flowing skirt. Nothing like the elaborate gown I once imagined for my wedding. But perfect for this moment. For this day.“You look beautiful,” my mother says, adjusting my veil. Her eyes are already red from crying.“Mom, the ceremony hasn’t even started yet.”“I know. But my baby is getting married.” She dabs at her eyes. “To a wonderful man who loves you more than life itself.”“I’m lucky.”“You’re both lucky. You found each other twice. Survived everything that tried to tear you apart. That’s not luck, sweetheart. That’s destiny.”A knock at the door. Rachel pokes her head in. “It’s time. Everyone’s ready.”My heart pounds. “Already?”“You’ve had six months to prepare for this.” Rachel