People began to notice his attentiveness towards me, even teasing him as my shadow. He didn't mind; he openly admitted his attendance was solely because of me. He seemed unaware of who I was or our families' strained connection, remaining the same disinterested person in business matters.
Gradually, Ethan began to change. He stopped frequenting clubs and started involving himself in his family's business. His transformation was sudden and noticeable.
Whenever we were at the same conference, I’d catch him stealing glances at me, his focus shifting from the speakers to where I stood. Our eyes would meet, and I’d quickly look away, feeling my cheeks flush. A strange, warm feeling began to grow in my heart.
"So, what do your parents do? Are they hoteliers?" He asked me one evening.
Trying to avoid revealing my true identity, I replied, "Something like that."
Months passed and Ethan's dedication to becoming a better businessman was driven by his desire to protect me. He often said he needed to be powerful to do so. I once asked him, "How long will you protect me?"
His response was both indulgent and sincere, "As long as you need."
I pondered and asked, "Is a lifetime okay?"
With a shy smile, he replied, "Sure."
I believed our lifetime together would be long, but everything changed when Bella entered the picture.
"You can celebrate your birthday anytime, but Bella is sick, and I can't ignore her."
"I'm not coming home tonight. Bella's in a bad mood and needs company."
"Christmas is just a ceremony. Celebrate it with Gavin. Bella is alone..."
No matter the occasion, he would leave me at Bella’s call. Our home became secondary to him.
His unwavering attention to Bella slowly eroded my faith in him, yet I remained grateful for Gavin, our smart and exceptional son, who inherited the best of Ethan's genes.
For Gavin’s sake, I endured over a decade of disappointment and neglect.
But now, Gavin was dead. He died because of Ethan’s indifference and negligence. There was nothing left for me to hold on to.
Consumed by these thoughts, I arrived at the Harrington Villa. The atmosphere was lively and joyful, with everyone in high spirits.
Meanwhile, Ethan and Bella sat among the crowd, chatting and laughing like a perfect couple.