Ethan's Return II

The tension in the air was palpable, hanging over Alex and Isabella like a dark cloud. Ever since Ethan's call, neither of them had been able to relax. Alex had gone into full protective mode, hiring more security and even moving into one of the more secure properties he owned. Their once peaceful life was now tainted with the looming presence of a man determined to tear them apart.

Isabella sat by the window, her hands resting on her growing belly. She stared out at the lush garden, which now had guards stationed at every entrance, ensuring no one could get in or out without Alex's approval. But the serenity of the view was an illusion. Inside, she felt the storm approaching.

Alex entered the room, his brow furrowed as he spoke into his phone. "I don't care how much it costs, just find him. He's been out there too long already." His tone was sharp, filled with frustration and worry. He hung up, running a hand through his hair before meeting Isabella's gaze.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, sitting down beside her and gently taking her hand. "I know this isn't what we expected, especially with the twins on the way. I promised to keep you safe, and I intend to do that, no matter what."

Isabella gave him a small smile, though her heart was heavy. "I trust you, Alex. But I can't help feeling like… like something terrible is about to happen."

Alex's grip on her hand tightened, his jaw clenching. "Nothing is going to happen to you or the babies. I swear it. We'll catch Ethan before he even has the chance to try anything."

But even as he spoke the words, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that Ethan was one step ahead, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

---

Across town, in a dimly lit room, Ethan was carefully studying the layout of Alex's new home. Blueprints, surveillance photos, and notes were scattered across the table in front of him. He'd spent the last few weeks gathering intel, watching Alex and Isabella from afar. Every move they made, every precaution Alex took, only fueled Ethan's obsession.

He wasn't interested in the twins. No, this wasn't about them. This was about taking away everything Alex held dear. And Isabella was the key to that.

"Alex thinks he's so smart, hiding her away behind all that security," Ethan muttered to himself, his fingers tracing the outline of the estate on the blueprints. "But he's not untouchable. No one is."

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Kurt, his right-hand man, stepped inside, his expression grim. "We've got a problem," Kurt said.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "What kind of problem?"

"Victor's been asking around," Kurt explained. "He's got people looking for you. We've had to move our safe houses twice already."

Ethan leaned back in his chair, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Let him look. He won't find me. Not until I'm ready for him to."

Kurt hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "And what about Sophie? She's still trying to get close to Alex. She's becoming a liability."

Ethan's smile faded. Sophie had been useful for a time, but now she was more of a nuisance than anything else. Her obsession with Alex was blinding her to the bigger picture, and if she wasn't careful, she'd end up ruining everything.

"I'll deal with Sophie," Ethan said dismissively. "She's irrelevant. Right now, we focus on Isabella. Alex won't see it coming."

Kurt nodded and left the room, leaving Ethan alone with his thoughts. He stared at the photo of Isabella on the table, his eyes darkening with determination. This was no longer just about revenge. It was personal. And soon, Alex would realize that no amount of wealth or power could protect the ones he loved.

---

Back at the estate, the tension between Alex and Isabella had eased slightly as they tried to resume some semblance of normalcy. Alex had insisted on staying close to her at all times, canceling business meetings and delegating tasks to his trusted assistant, Victor.

That evening, as they sat together in the living room, Isabella finally voiced the question that had been haunting her since Ethan's reappearance. "What if he doesn't stop? What if… even after all this, he still comes after us?"

Alex turned to her, his expression softening as he cupped her cheek. "I'll make sure he never gets the chance," he promised. "I won't let him hurt you or our family."

"I know," she whispered, leaning into his touch. "But I can't help being scared. He's unpredictable, Alex. And obsessed."

Alex's eyes hardened. "That's exactly why we're going to stop him. I've already got Victor tracking him down, and I've hired the best security team. He won't get close to you, I promise."

Isabella wanted to believe him, but the unease in her chest wouldn't go away. She had faith in Alex's ability to protect them, but Ethan was dangerous in ways that went beyond physical threats. He was cunning, manipulative, and relentless. And somewhere deep down, Isabella knew that Ethan's next move would be something they couldn't foresee.

As they prepared for bed, Alex's phone buzzed with a new message. He glanced at it and immediately tensed. It was Victor. They had traced Ethan's burner phone to a new location.

"We've got him," Alex said quietly, standing up. "I need to take care of this."

Isabella looked up at him, concern in her eyes. "You're going after him?"

Alex nodded. "It's time to end this, once and for all."

"Be careful," she whispered, fear gripping her as she watched him gather his things.

"I will," Alex promised, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I'll be back soon. And when I am, this nightmare will be over."

As Alex left the house, determination burning in his eyes, Isabella couldn't shake the feeling that Ethan's next move had already been set in motion. And no matter what they did, the storm was coming.