79| Aftermath and Apologies

Evelyn stood by the window, worry etched across her face. Her fingers hovered over her phone, trembling slightly as she dialed the number.

She didn't know what else to do. She had failed him before, but she couldn't fail him now.

David.

When he answered, relief washed over her, but it did little to steady her voice. "David, it's Evelyn Sinclair. You need to come. It's about Ethan," she said, her tone unsteady.

David hesitated for only a second. Evelyn Sinclair never called him. That alone told him something was wrong. "What happened?"

"He had a fight with his father. It was bad. Please, just... he needs someone right now. I've never seen him like this," Evelyn admitted, her voice breaking.

David didn't need to hear more.

"I'm on my way."

Within half an hour, he arrived at the Sinclair estate.

And there, sitting on the curb outside, was Ethan.

His head was bowed, shoulders slumped, hands limp between his knees. He wasn't moving.

David had never seen Ethan like that before.

Lifeless.

He didn't say anything. He just walked over and lowered himself onto the pavement beside him.

Neither of them spoke.

The only sound was the hush of the night around them.

Then, after what felt like forever, Ethan let out a dry, humorless chuckle. "You didn't have to come, you know." His voice was hoarse, like he had screamed every word his soul had been holding back for years.

David didn't buy the act. He never did. "Did you finally get it off your chest?"

Ethan sighed, his entire body seeming to cave in on itself. "I don't even know, man. I've never felt this empty."

David exhaled through his nose, leaning back on his hands. "Well, you do look like shit," he said bluntly.

It earned a weak laugh from Ethan.

"Seriously," David continued, "you need a shower, a stiff drink, and about twelve hours of sleep."

Another tired chuckle. "I can't even remember the last time I slept properly," Ethan muttered. His hands were still shaking. He clenched them into fists, but it didn't help.

David watched him for a long moment before speaking. "Ethan, you've carried this weight for so long. You've spent your whole life trying to be perfect for everyone else, but you never stopped to figure out what you need. That's why you're breaking."

Ethan swallowed, his throat burning. He blinked up at the mansion, at the place that had never been a home to him. His hands tightened until his knuckles turned white. "I thought... I thought if I could just be good enough, maybe he'd finally—"

"See you?" David finished for him.

Ethan exhaled sharply, nodding. His chest felt hollow, his mind spiraling.

"You don't have to be perfect, Ethan," David said softly. "You don't have to be him. You can be you."

Ethan's breath wavered. "I tried, you know?" His voice cracked. "I tried so hard to be everything he wanted, to make him proud. But it was never enough."

His eyes flickered toward the grand mansion—the prison where he had spent his entire childhood starving for something he would never get.

"And the worst part is, I let him get to me. I let him hurt the one person who actually loves me for who I am. I couldn't even protect her."

David's hand landed firmly on his shoulder, grounding him. "But you did protect her." His voice was steady, unwavering.

"You stood up for her, Ethan. You did what you've never done before—you stood up to him. That's not nothing. That's everything."

Ethan let out a shaky breath. "I feel like I've lost everything."

David didn't hesitate. "No, man. You haven't lost everything. You still have Sophie. You have people who care about you. You still have me." He nudged Ethan's arm. "But you need to let us in. You need to let her in."

Ethan stared at the pavement, his thoughts spiraling.

He was terrified.

Terrified for Sophie to finally see him— really see him.

"I'm scared," he admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "I'm terrified that she'll see who I really am and leave."

David squeezed his shoulder. "Then fight for her, Ethan." His voice was certain, filled with the kind of conviction Ethan wished he could have for himself. "Because if there's one person who's worth it, it's her. You've spent your whole life being afraid. Maybe it's time to start living for something real."

Ethan looked at him, his friend's words sinking in.

David was right.

He hadn't lost everything.

For the first time in a long time, something inside him shifted.

His voice was still rough when he spoke, but this time, there was something new in it. Something real. "This is the only time I'm saying this, so appreciate it, but... I don't know what I'd do without you."

David smirked, a familiar glint returning to his eyes. "Aww, man! Well, for one, you'd probably be arrested for assaulting your father."

Ethan let out a genuine laugh—his first real laugh in what felt like forever.

"Yeah, probably."

David pushed himself up, then held out his hand. "Come on. Let's get out of here. We can grab that drink, and you can tell me all about how you plan to win back your girl."

Ethan hesitated for a second. Then, he took David's hand.

As they walked toward the car, leaving the Sinclair mansion behind, Ethan exhaled slowly.

********

Inside, Evelyn watched them drive off, her vision blurred with unshed tears. She leaned against the doorway, her heart heavy, sinking under the unbearable weight of guilt and regret.

"I failed him," she whispered to herself.

The reality of it crashed over her like a tidal wave. How much Ethan had suffered. How alone he must have felt.

She had been blind to it.

She hadn't seen it.

She hadn't protected him.

Swallowing back her emotions, Evelyn gathered her resolve and picked up her phone. With trembling fingers, she dialed Sophie's number.

The moment Sophie answered, Evelyn's composure cracked.

"Sophie, it's Evelyn," she began, her voice unsteady.

"Oh, Evelyn! I'm so sorry I didn't come today like I promised. I'll make it up to you, I swear," Sophie said, her voice warm, filled with concern.

Evelyn closed her eyes, fresh tears spilling over her lashes. Even now, Sophie was kind.

"No, dear. Don't apologize. You've done nothing wrong," she managed to say, her voice breaking. "It's all my fault."

Sophie's tone softened. "What's wrong, Evelyn?"

Evelyn took a shaky breath, struggling against the weight of the day. "It's Ethan. He and his father had a terrible fight today. He... he finally said everything he's kept inside all these years."

Sophie's heart clenched. "Is he okay?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Evelyn shook her head, even though Sophie couldn't see her. "Honestly, I don't know, Sophie. He seemed so... broken."

Her guilt swelled, raw and suffocating. Her voice wavered as she confessed, "Sophie, I'm so sorry. I failed to protect Ethan, but more than that... I failed to protect you. You got hurt because of my family. You were dragged into all of this, and I—I am so, so sorry."

Sophie exhaled softly. "Evelyn, please don't apologize. None of this is your fault. You've always been kind to me. You've always made me feel welcome. I don't blame you for any of this."

Evelyn let out a shaky breath, tears slipping freely down her face.

"You're such a strong, forgiving girl, Sophie. And I—I'm so grateful you're in Ethan's life. You're the best thing that's ever happened to him."

Sophie's voice turned gentle. "He's lucky to have you as his mother, Evelyn. A mother who truly loves him. And I promise—I'll be there for him. I won't let him go through this alone."

Evelyn pressed a hand over her mouth, her emotions overwhelming her. She had spent so many years feeling powerless. But now... for the first time, she believed.

Maybe, just maybe, her son could finally find happiness.

She inhaled deeply, steadying herself.

Now it was her turn.

To face Robert Sinclair.

Her husband.

And, more often than not, a stranger.

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