26. The promise from Ethan

As the tension in the room began to ease, the sound of slow, deliberate clapping filled the air, cutting through the fragile calm. Everyone turned to see a tall, striking figure casually strolling into the room, his eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and disdain. Ethan Hamilton, Emma's fourth brother, had arrived, and his presence was impossible to ignore.

"Well, well, well," Ethan drawled, a sardonic smile playing on his lips as he continued to clap. "What a touching scene. Samuel Hamilton, the golden child, playing the role of the repentant brother. Bravo! Truly, an Oscar-worthy performance."

His words dripped with sarcasm, and the mocking tone was impossible to miss. Samuel's face darkened, his expression turning cold and guarded as he watched Ethan approach. There was no warmth between the two brothers, only a palpable tension that hinted at years of unresolved conflict.

"What are you doing here, Ethan?" Samuel asked, his voice low and edged with irritation. "And when did you get back from abroad? I thought you were too busy with your... *business* to care about anything else."

The disdain in Samuel's voice was evident. To him, Ethan and their younger brother Logan had always been the black sheep of the family, a disgrace to the Hamilton name. Samuel had never hidden his disapproval of the life Ethan led, believing that he was involved in shady dealings that brought shame to their family. Every encounter between them inevitably ended in a heated argument, and today seemed to be no different.

Ethan, however, remained unfazed by Samuel's hostility. He simply smirked, his eyes flickering with amusement at his brother's obvious discomfort. "Oh, Samuel," he said, his tone light but cutting. "You and your judgmental attitude. Some things never change, do they? I came back because I heard my little sister was in trouble. Unlike some people, I don't need a formal invitation to be there for my family."

He paused for a moment, his gaze shifting to Emma. The years of separation had blurred her memories of Ethan, and she found herself staring at him, trying to reconcile the man before her with the boy she had once known. He looked different—hardened, perhaps, but there was still a familiar warmth in his eyes when he looked at her.

"Ethan..." Emma murmured, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and confusion. "It's been so long... I almost didn't recognize you."

Ethan's smirk softened into a genuine smile as he walked over to her, his tone shifting from playful to sincere. "I know, Emma. It's been far too long," he admitted, his voice laced with regret. "But I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere. I won't let anyone hurt you again, not while I'm around. Whether we share the same blood or not, you'll always be my sister—the only one that matters to me."

He reached out, gently placing his hand on Emma's shoulder, his eyes filled with a fierce protectiveness. "Surprised to see me? I hope so," he said, his smile widening slightly. "I'm back, Emma, and I promise you this: from now on, I won't let you face anything alone. No more pain, no more suffering. Not if I can help it."

Emma stared at Ethan, a rush of emotions flooding her. The years of distance and the misunderstandings that had kept them apart suddenly felt less significant. Here he was, standing before her, offering her the kind of unwavering support she had longed for. It was overwhelming, but in a way that filled her with a cautious sense of hope.

Before she could respond, Samuel stepped forward, his expression a mixture of anger and frustration. "Enough with the theatrics, Ethan," he snapped, his patience wearing thin. "You talk a big game, but where were you when Emma needed us the most? You were off gallivanting around the world, doing God knows what, while the rest of us were dealing with the fallout."

Ethan's expression hardened at Samuel's words, and for a moment, the room was thick with tension. But then Ethan let out a low, humorless laugh, shaking his head in disbelief.

"You really have no idea, do you, Samuel?" Ethan said quietly, his voice filled with a bitter edge. "You think you were the only one dealing with the fallout? I've been cleaning up messes you wouldn't even begin to understand. But this isn't about you or me. This is about Emma. So, if you're done with your sanctimonious speech, why don't you step aside and let her decide who she wants by her side?"

Samuel glared at Ethan, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. The rivalry between them ran deep, but even he could see that this wasn't the time or place for their feud. Reluctantly, he stepped back, giving Emma the space to make her own choice.

Emma looked between her two brothers, her heart heavy with the weight of the moment. She had spent so many years feeling abandoned, but now, here they were—both of them, in their own ways, trying to make things right. She didn't know what the future held or if their words would be backed by actions, but for now, she was willing to take a step forward, even if it was a cautious one.

"I don't know if we can just pick up where we left off," Emma said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "But... I'm willing to try, if you are."

Ethan's eyes softened as he nodded, a small, hopeful smile on his lips. "That's all I need to hear, Emma," he said gently. "We'll take it one step at a time. Together."

Samuel, though still tense, gave a curt nod, acknowledging Emma's decision. "I'll respect whatever you want, Emma," he said, his voice subdued. "Just know that I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere either."

Ethan couldn't resist a final jab, though his tone was lighter this time. "Look at that, Samuel, we actually agree on something," he said with a faint smirk. "Miracles do happen."

Samuel shot him a warning look, but there was no real heat behind it. For the first time in a long time, there was a tentative truce between the brothers, forged in their shared desire to protect the sister they had both, in their own ways, failed in the past.

As the room settled into a tense but peaceful silence, Emma finally allowed herself to breathe. For now, it was enough to know that she wasn't alone, that despite everything, there were still people who cared about her—who wanted to be there for her.

And that, more than anything, gave her the strength to face whatever might come next.