Calm before the storm

Ethan had fled. The moment Alex confronted him with the evidence of his father's betrayal, Ethan disappeared. No one knew where he had gone, but the damage was done—Isabella knew the truth. Even though Ethan was no longer an immediate threat, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't over.

Back in Tokyo, Alex and Isabella tried to return to their lives. They spent their days together, rebuilding the trust between them and sharing quiet, intimate moments that strengthened their bond. Isabella had never felt closer to Alex, and for the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to believe that they could have a future free from the shadows of the past.

But there was always a sense of unease. Even as they laughed together, even as Alex held her close, there was a tension lurking beneath the surface. Alex had always been cautious, but now he was on high alert. He knew Ethan—how he had managed to manipulate them both for so long, how he had pretended to be innocent while orchestrating his own father's betrayal. Ethan had shown how dangerous he could be, and Alex was certain he wasn't finished.

In the days following Ethan's disappearance, Alex doubled his security measures. He had men watching every corner of his estate, keeping an eye on every move that was made. He didn't tell Isabella how much he was still worried, but she could sense it. She often caught him staring off into the distance, his mind clearly elsewhere, strategizing.

"Do you think he'll come back?" Isabella asked one evening as they sat by the fireplace, her voice soft with concern.

Alex's expression hardened, but he placed a comforting hand on hers. "I don't know. But if he does, we'll be ready."

Isabella nodded, but the worry never left her eyes. She had tried to convince herself that Ethan's departure meant an end to the chaos, but she couldn't ignore the nagging fear that he would come back. Ethan had been too calm, too calculated for too long. His disappearance felt more like a retreat to plan than an admission of defeat.

Despite the underlying tension, Alex and Isabella found happiness in their time together. Alex had softened since their return to Tokyo, allowing himself to be vulnerable with Isabella in a way he never had before. He took her on quiet dates around the city, away from prying eyes. They spent lazy afternoons in the garden, where Isabella would rest her head on Alex's shoulder while they talked about their future.

For the first time, Alex spoke openly about his desire to have a family with her—something that surprised Isabella. She had always known Alex as a man who guarded his emotions closely, but now he was letting her in.

"Do you think we could really have that?" Isabella asked one day as they strolled through a secluded park. "A peaceful life, without all this… danger?"

Alex smiled, pulling her close. "We'll have it. I promise."

But even as he said the words, his eyes flickered with the unspoken worry that still haunted him. He wanted to give Isabella the life she deserved, but he knew that Ethan wasn't done. Not yet.

As the weeks passed, the tension between Alex and Isabella began to dissipate. They settled into a routine that almost felt normal, though Alex never let his guard down. He had his men quietly searching for Ethan, tracking his movements through their underground contacts, but Ethan had gone completely off the grid.

No one knew where he was or what he was planning.

One night, as Isabella lay asleep in their bed, Alex sat at his desk, poring over reports and security updates. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen. He stared at the map spread out before him, tracing possible locations where Ethan could be hiding, his mind running through every possible scenario.

And then, a thought crossed his mind—a chilling realization that made his blood run cold. If Ethan was planning his next move, he wouldn't go after them directly. No, Ethan was smarter than that. He would target the people around them. Those they cared about.

Alex stood up abruptly, his mind racing. He needed to take action, but he couldn't involve Isabella in this—not yet. He would protect her at all costs.

The calm they had enjoyed was shattered one morning when Alex received a call from one of his men. It was bad news—someone close to their circle had been attacked. It wasn't fatal, but it was a message, clear as day.

"Ethan's behind this," Victor said grimly as they met in Alex's office. "He's testing the waters. He wants to see how far we're willing to go."

Alex clenched his fists. "He's trying to provoke me."

Victor nodded. "And he knows exactly how to do it."

Alex's mind raced. He couldn't allow Ethan to manipulate them again. But how could he protect everyone while keeping Isabella safe? He didn't want her involved, but she deserved to know what was happening. The longer he kept it from her, the more dangerous things could become.

That evening, Alex sat down with Isabella, deciding it was time to be honest.

"Something happened today," he began, watching her reaction closely.

Isabella's brow furrowed with worry. "What is it? Did something happen to the company?"

Alex shook his head, taking her hand. "It's not the business. It's Ethan. He's still out there, and he's already making moves."

Isabella's heart sank. She had tried to move on, to believe that they could live a normal life, but deep down, she had always known that Ethan would come back.

"What do we do?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"We'll keep going as we are, but I need you to be more careful. I've already increased security around the house, but you can't go anywhere without one of my men watching you."

Isabella nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "And Ethan…"

Alex's jaw tightened. "I'll find him. And when I do, this ends."

As the days went on, Isabella did her best to adjust to the heightened security measures. She couldn't go anywhere without bodyguards, and while she understood why Alex was being so cautious, it made her feel trapped.

Alex, on the other hand, was growing more determined by the day. He spent hours in his study, meeting with Victor and his other men, planning their next move. He knew that Ethan was playing a long game, but Alex wasn't going to wait for him to strike again.

But as they waited for Ethan to make his next move, both Alex and Isabella couldn't shake the feeling that the calm they were experiencing was only temporary. They were happy, yes—but it was a happiness tinged with fear. Fear that Ethan was lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

And when that moment came, they would have to be ready.