ETHAN
Ethan sat in his office, his gaze fixed on the pile of work before him. But his mind was miles away, consumed by thoughts of her.
He held a pen in his hand, his eyes scanning the same document for the past fifteen minutes, yet not a single word sinking in. It had been a few months since Shay had asked for a divorce. He knew she was struggling with it.
The moment he learned about the divorce, he couldnât hold back any longer. He yearned for her. He needed to mend what he had broken.
Over the past few years, he had searched for her. He had dated others, returning to his old habitsâthe models, the actressesâbut none of them could compare to what he had with her. Shay Zaia Haze was the only woman he ever wanted to marry.
A flashing red light caught his attention. Ethan picked up the phone. âApologies for the interruption, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Adam Van Acker is here to see you,â his assistant informed him. âSend him in,â Ethan instructed, hanging up the phone.
He wondered what Adam wanted. Regardless, Ethan was prepared for whatever was coming. He had respected Adam during his marriage, making sure not to overstep any boundaries, even maintaining a cordial relationship with Adam while they lived under the same roof.
Ethan leaned back in his leather office chair, waiting for his assistant to usher Adam in. He set down the pen Shay had given him during their time together and surveyed his office. Everything was darkâthe frosted glass walls, the carpet, the furniture, even the filing cabinets.
âMr. Ramsay,â his assistant announced as Adam entered. âThank you, you can go now,â he said as Adam approached. âHave a seat.â Ethan gestured to the chair across from him.
Adamâs face was unreadable, a stark contrast to the man Ethan had known. He had seen the love in Adamâs eyes for Shay, a love that was genuine. âWhat brings you here?â Ethan asked, his voice icy.
Adam took the offered seat. Ethan had no interest in small talk, especially considering what he had put Shay through. He had seen her pain, and even though he knew he had hurt her in the past, this was different. He had witnessed it firsthand.
âI needed to talk to you,â Adam said, his eyes narrowing. Ethan nodded, signaling for Adam to continue. âWhat are your intentions with my wife?â Adam asked, catching Ethan off guard.
âI want to be a part of the kidsâ lives,â he responded. Regardless of what happened between him and Shay, he knew he couldnât let his children down. Even though he wanted to reconcile with Shay, he knew she was still hesitant.
Since their reunion, Ethan had suggested they give their relationship another shot, but Shay had refused. She was firm about not starting anything while she was still married, and he respected that. âDo you love her?â Adam asked.
âI never stopped,â Ethan admitted, meeting Adamâs gaze as he spoke. âSheâs incredible, isnât she?â Adam remarked, his gaze shifting to the cityscape behind Ethan.
Ethan nodded in agreement, remaining silent. Shay was indeed incredibleâbeautiful and resilient. âI fell in love with her the first night I met her,â Adam confessed, his gaze distant. He was lost in his thoughts, that much was clear.
âThen why did you get involved with Sky?â Ethan asked, knowing it could spark an argument. But he didnât care. All he could think about was Shay and the pain she was enduring because of the betrayal in her marriage.
âYou donât know Sky,â Adam said, pausing to refocus his attention on Ethan. âSky is beautiful like Shay, but sheâs eccentric. She loves parties, she loves fiercely, sheâs always joking around, drinking. Sky is spontaneous and, frankly, better in bed than Shay,â Adam confessed.
Ethan sat in his chair, listening to Adam compare Shay to her twin sister. From his own experience, meeting Sky for the first time, Ethan couldnât help but notice the stark differences between the twins.
Ethan couldnât stand Sky. From the little interaction they had, he found her incredibly irritating. He noticed how her voice would rise when she flirted, and she had indeed flirted with him. He noticed how Sky didnât even introduce herself to the twins, her own nephews, instead choosing to flirt with him immediately.
He couldnât comprehend how Adam could fall for someone like her. She was arrogant, selfish, loud, and annoying. Ethan couldnât fathom what similarities Adam saw between them, other than their looks. Even their styles were vastly different.
âI need to know,â Adam paused to clear his throat before continuing. âI need to know that if I leave, if I sign the papers, youâll take care of her. That youâll take care of my son, treat him like your own.â
Ethan raised an eyebrow, nodding in understanding. He knew Shay was seeking full custody, but he hadnât expected Adam to give in without a fight. He thought it would be harder, that Adam would fight tooth and nail for his son.
Ethan knew he would do the same for his twins. Thatâs why he let Shay make the decisions when it came to the twinsâhe wanted to be a part of their lives and wouldnât do anything to jeopardize that.
âI love Shay and I would never do anything to hurt her again. The past was a mistake. I love her and the kids, not because Iâm doing it for you, but for myself. I would die for them,â Ethan said, his voice serious.
Adam listened before nodding in agreement. âShe never stopped loving you, you know?â Adam commented. âThen why did you send the letter?â Ethan asked, his voice steady.
Adam chuckled under his breath before standing up and looking around the office. Ethan watched him as he moved around the room. âShe still dreams of you,â Adam paused to chuckle, as if it was a joke. âShe wonât admit it, but she does. I knew she was still in love with you when we got married. When I met Sky, I thought I could have both. Sky loves me and I love her too. I thought if you were around, Shay would be distracted by you and I could spend more time with Sky,â Adam finished.
Ethan stared at him, anger bubbling within him. He clenched his fists, struggling to contain his rage. âI think itâs time for you to go,â Ethan suggested, his gaze hardening on Adam.
Adam responded with a nod, making his way to the exit. As he reached for the door handle, his hand paused mid-air, and he turned back around. âLet Shay know I love her, and Iâd do anything she asks of me. She knows where to find me. And look after my boy,â he said.
âShayâs got a hold on both of us, Adam. But I think youâll find your happiness with Sky,â Ethan replied.
Adam stepped out the door. A strange sense of relief washed over Ethan, perhaps because he knew Adam was about to sign the papers. This meant he might have another chance with Shay.
He made a silent promise to himself that he would move mountains to mend things between them.
Reaching for his phone, Ethan quickly typed out a message to Shay.
From: Ethan Ramsay
To: My Queen
Adam just left my office.
Iâll call you later.
I love you.