Chapter Twenty- Four

Saturday Morning – The Day of Ethan and Bella's Wedding

In Ethan's apartment, inside Mae's room, sunlight gently crept through the blinds, casting soft shadows across the room. Mae lay asleep, tangled in her sheets, her body exhausted from the emotional turmoil she'd been facing. The peace she sought was interrupted by the harsh ring of her phone. Her eyes fluttered open but, with a groan, she rolled over and buried her head into the pillow. The phone continued to ring insistently, a sound she couldn't ignore.

"Why can't I ever have some peace?" she muttered, annoyed as she reached out and grabbed her phone, squinting at the screen. The caller ID showed it was Brooke. Mae's heart skipped a beat, unsure why Brooke would be calling her at this early hour.

Reluctantly, she answered. "What do you want, Brooke?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of frustration and confusion.

There was a shaky breath on the other end. "Mae... I need your help."

The terror in Brooke's voice was palpable, and Mae sat up, now fully awake, her curiosity piqued. "What do you need my help with?"

"It's Shaun and Bella," Brooke stammered. "They're out of control, Mae. I thought it was just about making you miserable, but... they're taking things too far."

Mae's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing. "What do you mean? What are they doing?"

"They want to get rid of Ethan, Mae. Today. During the wedding." Brooke's voice trembled. "They're planning something—something involving an inheritance—and they'll stop at nothing."

Mae's blood ran cold. "They want to kill him? But... why?"

"I don't know. All they said was something about inheritance," Brooke replied, voice trembling. "Mae, you have to help. You have to save Ethan."

Mae was stunned, her hand shaking as she gripped the phone tighter. "Why are you telling me this? You hate me, Brooke."

Brooke's voice softened, filled with a hint of regret. "I hate you, yes. But I don't want anything bad to happen to Ethan. This... this is bigger than all of us. Please, Mae. If you care about him at all, you have to stop them."

Mae's mind was spinning. She couldn't understand why Brooke—of all people—would be asking for her help. "Why don't you stop them yourself?" she demanded.

"If they find out I betrayed them... they'll kill me too. They'll do whatever it takes. Please, Mae. I'm begging you."

Mae took a deep breath, the weight of Brooke's words sinking in. "I'll believe you this once, Brooke. But if you're lying... if anything happens to Ethan because of this..." Mae's voice trailed off, but the threat was clear.

"I know. Thank you. Please, hurry. The wedding is happening right now," Brooke said before the line went dead.

Mae stared at the phone, disbelief running through her veins. She didn't want to get involved. She was tired, drained, and didn't want to be a part of Ethan's world anymore. But there was something in Brooke's voice—a desperation that Mae couldn't ignore. She knew she had to act.

With a sigh, she pulled herself out of bed and headed to the shower. Afterward, she dressed quickly, her mind racing with what to do. She ordered a ride instead of using her usual bodyguard. It felt safer that way, and she didn't want anyone questioning her motives.

As the ride pulled away, Mae's thoughts kept racing. Why am I always dragged into his mess? Why does it always come down to me saving him?

At the Star Event Centre, the lavish venue set for Ethan and Bella's wedding, a wave of shock rippled through the arriving guests. Everywhere they looked, they saw Ethan and Bella's names, emblazoned in intricate designs. Confusion abounded, and whispers spread amongst the attendees, questioning the circumstances that brought them here. Mae, along with Ethan's family, insisted they see Ethan immediately, and they soon found him at the reception desk.

Caleb approached with fury in his eyes, storming over and delivering a fierce punch to Ethan's face. "How could you betray my daughter like this?"

"Caleb, please!" Alex interjected, stepping in to hold his furious friend back. 

"What sort of man are you? What did Mae ever do to deserve this? She sacrificed everything for you, and now you're marrying her best friend behind her back!"

"Ethan, why did you lead us to believe you were marrying Mae?" Nicole demanded, a mixture of hurt and disbelief etched on her face.

"I never said I was getting married to Mae. You all simply assumed," Ethan retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Why are you doing this?" Kate chimed in, her voice trembling.

"I guess I couldn't resist joining the party that ruins Mae's life. I am the newest member now, so you must treat me with respect," Ethan smirked.

"If you go through with the wedding to Bella, you'll have to divorce my daughter," Caleb snapped.

"That's not a decision you can make, old man."

"You will get divorced," Caleb threatened, his voice low and menacing.

"I would love to continue this charming conversation, but I have a wedding to attend to," Ethan replied dismissively as his phone began to ring, echoing like a thunderclap in the tense atmosphere. Both he and Caleb pulled out their phones simultaneously, both receiving calls from an undisclosed number. Curious and alarmed, they answered.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Wilson, there's been a terrible incident involving Mae."

"Ethan, it's Mae—something has happened," came the urgent chords from the other line.

"What do you mean something has happened to Mae?" they both asked in unison.

"Caleb?"

"Ethan, what's wrong with Mae?" Nicole pressed urgently.

"I'm on my way. Just stay with her!" Ethan said sharply before rushing off.

"Ethan!!! What's happening?"

Caleb had just hung up, his expression one of sheer devastation—a man on the brink of losing it, consumed by a whirlwind of grief and anger, directed entirely at Ethan. 

"Caleb, what's going on?" Emily asked, her voice laced with concern.

"Mae's been in an accident—a serious one. She might not make it."

"How? Where is she?" 

"She's in surgery right now," Caleb replied, anguish dripping from his words.

"How did this happen?" Nicole implored, her voice shaking.

"It's your son's fault!" Caleb shouted, his eyes blazing.

"Caleb, please, let's not point fingers," Alex urged.

"If anything happens to my daughter, I'll never forgive your son," Caleb vowed, his voice trembling with rage.

"Let's focus on being there for Mae instead of lashing out at each other," Liam suggested, firm but calm.

"Liam's right, sweetheart," Emily added.

"Fine. Let's go," Caleb agreed, leading the charge toward the exit, tension crackling like electricity in the air.

—

At Houston Hospital, in the waiting room, Ethan was pacing anxiously when his family burst onto the scene.

"What are you doing here?" Caleb spat, his anger barely contained.

"Just a reminder—Mae is still my wife," Ethan replied with a pointed glance.

"Funny, you didn't seem to remember that when you were about to marry her best friend," Caleb shot back.

"Could you both just stop already? My daughter is fighting for her life, and all you two can do is squabble like children!" Kate snapped.

"Ethan, get a grip," Nicole said as a doctor approached, his face solemn.

"Mr. Wilson, good to see you again," the doctor said, though his tone held no joy.

"How is my daughter?" Caleb pressed, anxiety pounding in his chest.

"We are at a critical stage in her surgery and need the family to make an urgent decision," the doctor informed them.

"What kind of decision?" Caleb demanded, a sense of foreboding creeping over him.

"The accident has jeopardized the baby in her womb. You must decide who to save."

"What baby?" Caleb asked in disbelief.

"Mae's six months pregnant," the doctor replied, layers of gravity settling in the air.

"My daughter is expecting a child?" Caleb echoed, shock rendering him speechless.

"Six months along, indeed," the doctor confirmed.

"Ethan, how could you?" Nicole gasped.

"Can we save this discussion for after we make a decision?" the doctor urged.

"What's happening?" Kate asked nervously.

"The crash affected the baby, and we can only save one life," the doctor explained.

"You mean one of them has to die, and you want us to choose?" Kate's voice trembled with disbelief.

"Yes," the doctor affirmed.

"Then save my daughter, who cares about the baby," Caleb blurted out.

"Caleb, wait," Emily cautioned, but his decision was made.

"I refuse to gamble my daughter's life to protect the child of someone who doesn't appreciate her."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Wilson, but only Ethan can make that choice," the doctor announced.

"What do you mean?" Caleb stammered.

"Only Ethan has the authority to decide who we save," the doctor reiterated.

"Why?" Caleb demanded.

"That's the protocol, I'm afraid."

"Ethan, please—tell them to save Mae!" Kate pleaded, desperation clawing at her.

"Ethan, who do you want us to save?" the doctor asked again.

"It's a difficult choice, isn't it? Choosing between blood and a legal bond. It's not every day you face the choice of becoming a hero or a villain. Who should I choose, father-in-law?" Ethan mused mockingly.

"Save my daughter, you heartless jerk!" Caleb roared, throwing another punch at Ethan.

"You heard him, doctor. Save his daughter," Ethan said coolly, even managing a smile.

"I'll need to confer with the surgical team, and then I'll return," the doctor said before departing.

"Thanks a lot, Ethan," Kate said, a bitter edge to her voice.

"What's so amusing?" Liam asked, glaring at Ethan.

"It's extraordinary how you all seem to care more about appearances than Mae's happiness. You destroy her life and convince yourselves it's for her own good," he replied, scoffing.

"What do you mean?" Kate asked, confusion mingling with anger.

"Do you really think Mae will forgive any of you for choosing—no, for killing her baby—just to save her?"

"Bastard!" Caleb shouted, striking Ethan yet again. This time, Ethan retaliated, landing a clean hit that sent Caleb reeling, blood trickling from his nose as Alex caught him just in time.

"Just because I let you off the hook the first two times doesn't mean I can't stand my ground. You wanted me to save your daughter, so why are you angry at me for fulfilling your wish? I'm the one sacrificing my first child just to appease you while you sit there in judgment."

"You're an evil man, Ethan," Kate uttered, her voice quaking.

"Yes, and that remark comes from a mother who would trade her daughter for the sake of her marriage. Stop playing the blame game when you're equally culpable."

"Enough of this nonsense!" Nicole cried, desperation in her tone. 

"I love you, Mom, but let me deal with this. Give Mae my love when she wakes, and tell her I'm sorry I couldn't be by her side. I need to return to my new life now," Ethan stated coolly before turning on his heel and walking away.

"What kind of monster did you raise?" Caleb growled, his fists clenching.

"Caleb, don't take it that far," Alex warned.

"When will you stop defending him? Ethan isn't even your blood!" Caleb accused.

"Caleb, that's enough," Alex warned.

"Don't cast judgments on my son without knowing what he's endured. I didn't turn my back on your daughter despite her struggles," Nicole declared defiantly. 

"Are you insulting my daughter?" Caleb barked.

"Ethan is a good person, and I'm proud of him. Stop deflecting your issues; the truth is you've been part of Mae's suffering all along," Nicole contended.

"And what does that mean?"

"You're wrestling with guilt for ruining your daughter's life, and you're projecting that onto others. My son did nothing wrong."

"Nicole, wait!" Alex called, rushing after her.

"Caleb, you need to confront your own actions. The sooner you accept responsibility for your part in this, the easier it will be for all of us," Kate suggested.

"Let's go, love," Liam said, taking her hand firmly, and together they left the room, leaving Emily alone with a distraught Caleb.

"Mae will never forgive me now."

"You don't have to tell her everything. Since the hospital claims only Ethan can choose, we can pin it on him," Emily said softly.

"I refuse to lie to her."

"Would you rather lose her?"

"No."

"Then tell her Ethan was the reason she lost her baby," Emily urged as the doctor reentered the area, looking somber.

"Mr. Wilson, there's been an alarming development," the doctor said.

"Is Mae alright?" Emily asked, a knot of fear tightening in her stomach.

"She's missing," the doctor replied.

"What do you mean, missing?"

"I can't explain how it happened. We left her in the operating room, and when we returned, she was gone."

"Could she have escaped?" Emily inquired, bewildered.

"She was unconscious. There's no way she could have fled on her own. Someone must have taken her from the hospital."

"How did someone manage to access the operating area?" 

"We're investigating how this transpired. We will find her, I promise," the doctor assured, before slipping away once more.

"Why can't Mae catch a break?" Emily sighed, burdened by worry.

"We just have to hope she's okay," Caleb said as he entwined his fingers with hers, drawing some comfort from their togetherness.

—

The news of Mae's accident and subsequent disappearance quickly spread. The phones of both hotels erupted with calls from well-wishers hoping for Mae's recovery, while others sought to understand the details surrounding the accident. Caleb and Alex's phones buzzed incessantly throughout the day. 

Then disaster struck again—a serious accident left many injured, and they were all rushed to Houston Hospital. Amidst the chaos, the search for Mae continued. Tragically, Ethan found himself swept up in the latest calamity, swiftly taken to the very same hospital for treatment. 

As the tension escalated, Shaun and Bella arrived at the hospital, having heard unsettling news about Mae. What unfolded next would grip the hearts of all involved, as the stakes continued to rise in a labyrinth of fate intertwined with past decisions.