66| Dealing with the Aftermath

Ethan sat at his desk, staring blankly at his computer screen.

The office was silent, save for the occasional hum of the air conditioning.

But the silence wasn't peaceful.

It was oppressive.

Suffocating.

The aftermath of his decision to reject the deal with Damon Blackwell was unfolding exactly as he had expected.

But that didn't make it any easier to handle.

Since the board meeting, Sinclair Enterprises had become a tense battlefield. The company was divided—half the board members supported Ethan's stance on maintaining ethical integrity, while the other half stood behind Robert, furious over the lost opportunity.

The air in the office felt thick with unspoken tension. Employees walked on eggshells, whispering in hushed tones, careful not to align too obviously with either side. Ethan could feel the weight of their gazes whenever he stepped out of his office.

His phone buzzed—a string of new emails from concerned stakeholders, questioning his judgment, urging him to reconsider. The past few days had been spent fielding calls, replying to emails, and standing firm in his decision despite the mounting pressure.

He had known that choosing integrity over profit would come at a cost.

But he hadn't anticipated just how isolated he would feel.

His gaze flickered toward the office door.

Half-expecting it to swing open and his father to storm in.

But Robert had not spoken to him directly since the meeting.

And somehow, that silence felt uneasy.

What was he planning?

The workday had come to a close, and somehow, it had gone more smoothly than he expected.

It was already late—most employees had gone home.

But Ethan didn't want to leave.

It was ironic.

His heart was at home.

With Sophie.

And yet—he stayed away.

Not because he didn't want to see her.

But because he was giving himself time.

Time to finally tell her the truth.

His hands curled into fists.

No more secrets.

No more shadows hanging over him.

His father wouldn't hold this over him again.

And more importantly—

He wouldn't let Sophie get dragged into it.

He would tell her everything.

That he had ruined a man's life.

That his short-sighted recklessness had destroyed a family.

That there was a time—long ago—when he truly believed ruthlessness was necessary in business.

That he had killed a man.

And if she looked at him with disgust, if she told him she couldn't stand to be around him anymore—

He would accept it.

Even if it shattered him.

Because for the first time in his life—

He wanted to be honest.

Even if it cost him everything.

As Ethan stared blankly at his computer screen, lost in thought, his phone rang, pulling him back to reality. He glanced at the caller ID.

David.

Ethan frowned. It was already 12:30 AM—late, even for David.

He sighed and answered.

"David? Why are you calling so late?" He didn't have the energy for banter tonight.

He was so damn tired.

"Ethan, are you still at the office?" David's voice carried a familiar edge of concern.

"Yes," Ethan admitted. "Just trying to get things in order."

A lie. David was one of the few people Ethan never had to lie to—

But tonight, he did.

David didn't even buy it.

"Ethan, go home," David said firmly. "Are you going to run from your problems forever? You need to face things head-on, not bury yourself in work."

He was right, of course. But something about David's urgency unsettled him.

Ethan's grip on the phone tightened.

"What's wrong?"

David didn't ease up. "I've been meaning to talk to you. I visited Sophie at the flower shop last week. We talked for a while."

Sophie.

Ethan's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't spoken to her much at all these past few days.

Even when she had begged him to talk to her.

Even when she had looked at him with those pleading eyes, silently asking why he was doing this.

God, he hated himself sometimes.

He knew he was hurting her. He knew she didn't deserve this. But somehow, he kept making the same mistake—protecting himself first.

"How... how is she?" Ethan asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Was he really asking David this?

He was the one who could be with her right now—

Yet here he was, asking someone else about the woman he loved.

Every day, he felt less and less adequate.

He wanted to be with her.

But he wouldn't let himself be.

Sophie was the most precious thing in his life.

And everything he had ever held precious—

Had always disappeared.

And now...

He felt like he was going to lose her.

David's voice cut through his thoughts.

"She seemed pretty down, man."

Blunt. Honest.

"She tried to put on a brave face, but I could tell she's hurting. And honestly? It looks like she doesn't even understand why you're shutting her out."

Ethan closed his eyes.

Guilt crashed over him like a tidal wave.

He had convinced himself he was making the right choice for her.

But all he had done—

Was hurt her.

"Ethan, what the hell are you doing?"

David's tone sharpened.

"You're pushing her away, when we both know how much she means to you. Whatever it is you're dealing with—don't let it ruin what you have with Sophie."

Ethan took a shaky breath.

His chest felt tight.

"Thanks, David. For checking up on her. I feel like I'm in a deep hole, and I'm drowning—"

He swallowed hard. "And I don't know how to climb out."

David didn't hesitate. "Then ask for help."

His voice softened. "Let her be the person who throws you the damn rope and pulls you out."

Silence hung between them.

David had said what he needed to say.

And Ethan had heard him.

The call ended.

And Ethan knew.

He couldn't push it anymore.

He had to tell her tonight.

He pushed back his chair, ready to leave—

But his phone buzzed again.

Mia.

His stomach dropped.

Was Sophie okay?

Mia rarely called him—and when she did, it was never good news.

He picked up immediately.

Loud music and chatter flooded through the line, muffling Mia's voice.

"Mia?" Ethan asked, his concern mounting.

"Ethan!" Mia shouted over the noise, sounding slightly panicked. "Me and the girls went out for a birthday party, and Sophie is... well, she's stupid drunk. I've never seen her like this before, and I need your help. Can you please come and take her home?"

Ethan exhaled sharply, feeling a mix of relief and worry.

Relief—because for a split second, he had expected the worst. Worry—because Sophie wasn't the type to drink like this.

"I'm on my way," he said immediately, already grabbing his keys. "Where are you?"

"The Clover Lounge," Mia replied quickly. "Please hurry."

"I'll be there as soon as I can," Ethan assured her before hanging up.

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