Ethan is Back

The days following Victor's discovery were tense. Though there was no immediate danger, Alex knew that Ethan's presence wasn't just a warning—it was a ticking bomb. Ethan had always been patient, calculating. Whatever he was planning, Alex needed to be ahead of it.

Still, he kept these worries to himself, not wanting to alarm Isabella. She was in the final stages of her pregnancy, and the last thing she needed was added stress. Instead, Alex focused on work, on preparations for their twins, and on making sure their home was fortified. But in quiet moments, his thoughts inevitably drifted to Ethan's return.

One evening, as Alex sat in his study going over security reports, Isabella appeared in the doorway. Her face was soft, but she looked more serious than usual. She came to sit beside him, her hand resting on his arm.

"Alex, I know you're worried," she began gently, her voice filled with concern. "You've been quieter lately, and I can tell something's weighing on you."

Alex turned to her, his expression tightening. He didn't want to burden her, but he knew she deserved the truth.

"I'm trying to protect us," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "Ethan's out there, and I'm not sure what his next move will be. I can't shake the feeling that he's planning something."

Isabella's eyes darkened slightly, though she kept her calm demeanor. "You've already done so much to keep us safe, Alex. And I trust you. But you can't carry this burden alone."

Alex looked into her eyes, grateful for her steady presence. "I don't want you to worry, especially with the twins so close to coming."

"I understand," Isabella said, squeezing his hand. "But we're in this together. I'm stronger than I used to be, Alex. You don't need to shield me from everything."

Alex sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I know. I just don't want to risk anything happening to you or the babies."

Isabella gave him a reassuring smile. "Nothing will happen to us. You've made sure of that. And when Ethan shows up, we'll deal with him—together."

Her confidence, though gentle, helped ease some of the weight on Alex's shoulders. He admired her strength, a strength that had blossomed over time, and it reminded him why he had fallen in love with her in the first place.

That night, they sat together in the nursery, talking quietly about the future and what their family would be like once the twins arrived. For a moment, the worries about Ethan seemed distant. In these peaceful moments, Alex allowed himself to believe that everything would be fine.

---

A week passed, and while things remained relatively calm, Alex couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Victor's team had been monitoring the outskirts of the city where Ethan had last been spotted, but no further sightings had been reported.

Still, Alex refused to let his guard down. He had learned too many times that Ethan's silence usually meant he was preparing for something big. And this time, Alex knew it would be the final confrontation.

Late one night, as Alex was reviewing security protocols, he received an urgent message from Victor.

We have movement.

Alex's heart skipped a beat as he read the words. He quickly called Victor, his voice steady despite the rush of adrenaline.

"What have you found?" Alex asked.

"We've spotted some of Ethan's old associates gathering at a warehouse on the outskirts of town," Victor explained. "It's not confirmed yet, but there's reason to believe Ethan might be there."

Alex felt a chill run down his spine. This was it—the moment he had been waiting for.

"How soon can we move in?" Alex asked, already preparing himself mentally.

"I can have a team ready within the hour," Victor replied. "But we need to be cautious. We don't know what we're walking into."

Alex nodded, his mind racing. "Do it. But keep me updated. I want to be in the loop every step of the way."

As he ended the call, Alex stood at the window, staring out into the darkness. His fingers tightened around the phone. Ethan had resurfaced, and now it was time to end this once and for all.

But even as he prepared for the worst, Alex couldn't help but think about Isabella and the twins. He needed to keep them safe, no matter the cost.

He glanced toward the nursery, where Isabella was fast asleep, oblivious to the storm brewing outside. As much as he wanted to be by her side, Alex knew that his place tonight was in the shadows, confronting the danger head-on before it could reach his family.

---

An hour later, Alex stood outside the estate, watching as Victor and his team geared up for the operation. They had tracked Ethan's associates to a rundown warehouse, a place that had been off the radar for years.

Victor approached him, handing him a communication device. "We're ready, sir."

Alex nodded, slipping the device into his ear. "Let's get this over with."

The team moved in silence, their footsteps barely audible as they approached the warehouse. The tension in the air was palpable, each man on edge, knowing that one wrong move could set off a chain of events they couldn't control.

As they neared the entrance, Victor signaled for his men to take positions. Alex stayed back, monitoring the situation from a distance. His heart raced, but his mind was clear—he had prepared for this moment, and he wouldn't allow Ethan to catch him off guard.

Victor's voice crackled through the earpiece. "We're in position. No sign of Ethan yet."

Alex's grip tightened. "Be careful."

For several long minutes, there was nothing but silence. Then, suddenly, a low voice came through the earpiece.

"Sir, we've got movement inside. Looks like—"

A loud crash interrupted the report, followed by the sound of gunfire.

Alex's pulse quickened. "Victor, what's happening?"

There was a pause, then Victor's voice came back, tense but controlled. "It's Ethan. He's here."