Chapter 76
Ethan navigated the bustling hospital corridors, heading to the last floor, despite the need to leave, he felt reluctant.
He headed for the parking lot where Axel waited for him.
As he stepped into the parking lot, he spotted Axel awaiting him with the car. The sun, in its descent, painted the sky with hues of amber and rose. Ethan, standing beside the car, couldn’t help but cast his eyes upwards, staring up at the floor Hazel was
“To the office or…?” Axel queried, breaking the silence that hung in the air.
Ethan stood there for a moment, casting a lingering gaze back at the hospital building. “Drive home,” Ethan finally said, his eyes reluctantly detaching from the building as he settled into the backseat of the car, his thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. The rearview mirror captured a reflection of his contemplative expression as Axel steered them away from the hospital.
Ethan’s mind clung to the image of Hazel’s tear–filled eyes, their haunting expression. lingering like an unanswered question. Her tears spoke volumes, revealing a vulnerability that resonated deeply within him. She had cried when he assured her she wasn’t alone, and the weight of her emotional journey became palpable.
The revelation that Liam and Daisy’s father had abandoned them, not wanting anything to do with them stoked a fiery indignation within Ethan. He couldn’t fathom how anyone could turn away from such wonderful children. The absent father seemed oblivious to the joy, laughter, and innocence he was missing out on. Ethan smiled a little recalling the times. spent with the kids.
He was a massive jerk, Ethan concluded inwardly, his thoughts swirling in a maelstrom of empathy and frustration.
But how did Hazel find herself entangled with a married man?” Ethan pondered aloud. “Huh?” Axel responded, his confusion evident in the abrupt interruption of the reflective silence that had settled in the car.
It felt incongruent, out of character with the Hazel he knew. The notion of her having an affair appeared as a stark contrast to the woman he had known for years. The very idea of her willingly indulging in the act of infidelity, having an affair with a married man, seemed implausible.
“The man must have deceived her,” Ethan concluded with a heavy sigh, refusing to entertain the notion that Hazel could willingly be part of such.
“There’s no way Hazel knew and cheated with a married man. She isn’t that kind of woman.” he affirmed, his conviction unwavering. The image of the deceptive man fueled a surge of protective anger within him, and had him clenching his fist,
“Is something wrong?” Axel probed, the concern evident in his voice as he glanced at Ethan through the rearview mirror.
What Ethan replied, still lost in his thoughts, the weight of Hazel’s revelation occupying his mind.
You said Hazel got entangled with a married man?” Axel inquired.
Yes Ethan admitted with a conflicted sigh: “She admitted that Nathan, the man from the airport, in Liam’s and Daisy’s father. The actual father is some man who wants nothing to
do with them. And, to complicate matters, he happens to be married.”
Axel fell into a contemplative silence, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.
That’s still not enough, being married and acting like your kids don’t exist,” Ethan sighed in exasperation.
“He wants nothing to do with them?” Axel probed.
“Yes. Ethan replied
“She’s been alone. Just her and her kids.” He stated with a sigh.
“And with Daisy so sick, it must have been hard for her.”
“You want me to look into him? Axel offered
No,” Ethan said, reclining back and closing his eyes.
“She wouldn’t like that. I admitted looking into Nathan she wasn’t pleased. If she ever finds out, she wouldn’t forgive me. Besides, he wants nothing to do with them, so ‘it’s no use,” Ethan stated, his voice carrying the weight of a decision forged by respect for Hazel’s boundaries.
“What now?” Axel asked, his curiosity echoing the uncharted territory that lay ahead. Ethan fell silent for some moments, his gaze lost in the recesses of his own thoughts. The truth was, Hazel’s revelation changed nothing about how he felt for them. If anything, it fueled a determination to ensure they never felt alone.
“It changes nothing, actually. It doesn’t change how I feel about them. Instead, it made me want to get even closer to her, to become someone she can rely on when she needs. And her kids,” Ethan chuckled lightly, the warmth of affection evident in his voice. “They’ve completely taken over a place in my heart, you know? So, I will just let things be, doing whatever I can to make them happy.”
“Is that appropriate?” Axel asked as they pulled into the driveway, the practicality of the situation settling in.
“She’s your ex–wife. How would Bella react to it Axel questioned realistically, his voice carrying the weight of potential complications that lingered. Ethan hadn’t even considered. or thought thought through.
“I don’t know. When it comes to those kids, I lose all rationality. I’ve never loved anyone as much as those two little creatures. I can’t just step out and act like they don’t exist, or like they don’t have an impact,” Ethan stated honestly, the sincerity in his voice echoing the profound connection he felt with Liam and Daisy.
“And Bella?” Axel probed once more, turning off the engines.
Ethan had delved into his feelings for Hazel and her children, but the mention of his spouse introduced a complex layer to the narrative.
Ethan exited the car, sidestepping Axel’s probing questions about his wife. His silence, a deliberate evasion, spoke volumes, a tacit acknowledgment that he hadn’t considered Bella. or thought of Bella, and, truthfully, he didn’t care
“How’s the progress with the school?” Ethan asked instead.
It’s coming along well. By next month, it should be ready for use,” Axel replied.
“Okay, Ethan nodded, a sense of satisfaction settling in.
For the meantime, while waiting,we need to get teachers or volunteers that would work there Ethan stated, his mind already strategizing for the next phase.
“That’s really easy. I’m already on it. Getting kindergarten teachers or volunteers is the easiest part of this so far,” Axel reassured. Ethan was really involved in this project.
With a nod, Ethan turned and headed inside. The familiar sounds of home enveloped him, but amidst the tranquility, the echo of Bella’s yelling voice reached his ears. Initially inclined to dismiss it, assuming she was yelling at one of the maids as usual, but something in her tone caught his attention. He paused, the air thickening with a sense of tension, and then he stalked off with purpose toward the door of her study.
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