76| Seeking Safety

Ethan took a deep breath, trying to steady the storm inside him as he opened the car door for Sophie.

"I'll take you home," he said softly, his voice still rough with the lingering adrenaline.

Sophie hesitated.

"Home?" she echoed.

Home was him.

Ethan's jaw tightened. "Your mom and Lily have been worried. I think it's best if I take you there."

Sophie swallowed, gripping the edge of the car door. "But you'll come back for me, right?"

She hated how fragile her voice sounded—hated the way she still feared he'd run away again.

She wished she didn't doubt him. She wished he never gave her a reason to.

Ethan met her gaze, his eyes steady. "I promise."

And this time, she knew he meant it.

She slipped her hand into his, holding tight.

She wanted to kiss him again, to keep him tethered to her.

But then—

"Sophie, I'm sorry..." His voice cracked. "My father did this."

He exhaled sharply, his head dipping forward like he was bracing for her reaction.

Sophie had already suspected as much—from Jessica being there, from the way she hadn't been taken for ransom, but for power.

"It's not your fault, Ethan," she murmured, squeezing his hand. "Sometimes, we don't get to choose our parents."

At that, he finally smiled, but it was small—tired.

"Please don't blame yourself. It'll only make me feel worse," she added gently.

Ethan let out a shaky breath, nodding. "I know, but it's so hard, Soph. You don't deserve this."

His voice was hoarse, thick with unshed emotion.

Sophie cupped his face, brushing her thumbs over his cheekbones before pressing a soft, lingering kiss to his forehead.

"Oh, Ethan..."

His eyes fluttered shut at the touch.

When he finally spoke, his voice was more certain. "I'll feel better when I talk to him about it."

But Sophie wasn't so sure.

Still, she didn't fight him on it.

She just let him hold her hand as he started the car—

And drove her home.

********

When they arrived at the family home, the front door burst open.

Martha and Lily rushed out, their faces etched with worry and fear.

"Sophie!" Lily cried, throwing her arms around her sister. Tears streamed down her face, her grip tight, desperate. "I was so scared! Are you okay?"

Martha was right behind her, her own tears glistening in the dim porch light. "My darling girl," she whispered, pulling Sophie into a fierce embrace. "I thought... I thought I'd lost you."

Sophie nodded, her eyes wellling up as she clung to them. "I'm okay, Mom. I'm okay."

Ethan stood a few steps back, watching the reunion with a deep ache in his chest.

He felt like an outsider.

Like he didn't deserve to be here—not after what happened to Sophie.

Guilt weighed him down, pressing hard against his ribs.

His hands clenched at his sides as he took a small step back, ready to leave quietly.

But before he could turn away, Martha stepped toward him.

"Ethan," she said softly.

He looked up, startled.

And then, to his absolute shock—

She hugged him.

Warm. Unwavering.

The way only a mother could.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for bringing my daughter back to me safely."

Ethan froze, his entire body going rigid.

He opened his mouth to protest—to tell her she shouldn't be thanking him. That it was his fault.

But Martha just shushed him gently, like a mother would with a child.

"You brought her back," she insisted, her eyes kind, certain. "That's enough."

Ethan swallowed hard.

He didn't deserve this—her gratitude, her kindness.

But for once... he didn't argue.

"You're welcome," he managed, his voice rough, strained.

Martha gave him a reassuring pat on the back before returning to Sophie's side, guiding her toward the house.

At the front door, Sophie turned back.

Her eyes searched for his.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly.

Ethan forced a nod—but he couldn't bring himself to lie completely.

"I will be," he murmured.

And for a moment, he let himself pull her into one last hug.

Holding her close. Holding on.

Like he was grounding himself in her warmth.

When he finally let go, Sophie watched him with those gentle, knowing eyes.

Ethan felt something rise in his chest—something raw, something unspoken.

So he turned away.

Because if he stayed any longer—

He'd break.

He climbed into his car, and as he drove off, he glanced in the rearview mirror one last time.

Sophie stood on the porch, watching him go.

And he wondered if, deep down—

She knew he didn't want to leave.

********

The drive back to the Sinclair estate was long and silent.

Ethan's anger simmered just beneath the surface, each mile bringing him closer to the confrontation he knew had to happen.

His hands tightened on the steering wheel. His bruised knuckles throbbed, the pain sharp with every movement—a reminder of everything his father had done.

He didn't care.

Pain was nothing. Sophie had been hurt.

And Robert Sinclair was going to answer for it.

His phone buzzed.

David.

Normally, he would have answered. David was his voice of reason. His conscience when he didn't trust his own.

But not tonight.

Tonight, he didn't want reason.

He didn't want anyone talking him down.

He let the call go to voicemail, jaw clenching as he pressed harder on the gas.

His father had shown his hand.

Now it was his turn.

The Sinclair estate loomed in the darkness.

Cold. Silent. Unforgiving.

Ethan felt a familiar chill crawl up his spine, but this time, it didn't come with fear.

It came with hatred.

The tall iron gates creaked open slowly, the sound cutting through the still night.

He tightened his grip on the wheel, his heart pounding.

This was the house that had molded him.

The place that had tried to strip him of his humanity.

The place that had tried to make him his father.

But tonight—

Tonight, he was taking his humanity back.

Ethan drove up the long, winding driveway, his mind racing, already forming the words he would say.

No hesitation. No restraint.

Robert Sinclair was going to hear every damn word.

And Ethan would make damn sure he never hurt Sophie again.

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