CHAPTER 4

They both sat down and began to talk casually, finding comfort in each other's company. The breakfast was delicious, every bite reflecting the care Emily had put into preparing it. Ethan couldn't help but be impressed by her thoughtfulness. When they finished eating, he reached across the table, took her hand gently, and pressed a soft kiss on the back of it.

The simple gesture sent an unexpected jolt of warmth through Emily. She felt it all the way through her body, leaving her cheeks flushed and her heart racing. After kissing her hand, Ethan looked into her eyes and softly said, "There's something about you, Emily, that I can't seem to forget." Ethan noticed her reaction and chuckled lightly. "You've done enough for one morning," he teased softly. "Take it easy and get some rest today."

Emily, too shy to respond, simply nodded, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red. Ethan smiled, charmed by her bashfulness. After a moment, he stood up, glancing back at her one last time before heading upstairs to get ready for the office. As he walked away, he couldn't shake the growing connection he felt toward her, knowing this was only the beginning of something neither of them had expected.

Ethan's POV

*Why did I kiss her so suddenly?* The question echoed in Ethan's mind as he stood in his room, his thoughts racing. It had been years since he'd felt anything remotely close to what he felt now—*not even with Lily*. He'd kissed Lily countless times, but it never stirred the same emotions, never left him this unsettled.

*Why am I feeling this way?* His chest tightened with the confusion, as though the emotions welling up inside him were something he couldn't control. There was something about Emily—her innocence, her vulnerability—that stirred something deep within him, a need to protect her, to be closer to her. It was overwhelming, and he wasn't used to feeling so powerless over his emotions.

*Why do I want more?* The thought of building a deeper connection with her made him restless, his mind unable to focus. These feelings—so raw and unfiltered—were things he hadn't allowed himself to experience for a long time, and now they were threatening to take over.

Frustrated and needing to regain control, Ethan headed to the bathroom, stripping off his clothes and stepping into the cold shower. The icy water hit him like a shock to the system, but it was exactly what he needed. As the water cascaded over him, he tried to clear his mind, to cool the storm of emotions that had been brewing since the moment he met her.

After a few minutes, he stepped out, feeling more grounded but still unable to completely shake the thought of her from his mind. Determined to focus, Ethan dressed quickly and left for the office, hoping that the routine of work would help him regain the control that seemed to be slipping away. But deep down, he knew—this wasn't the last time he'd feel this way. Something about Emily was changing him, and there was no denying it.

Emily's POV

After completing her morning routine and preparing breakfast, Emily found herself feeling both anxious and excited. She wanted to show her gratitude to Ethan for everything he had done for her, even though her emotions were still raw from the events of the past few days. As she stood quietly in the kitchen, arranging the last few dishes, she heard footsteps approaching.

Moments later, Ethan entered the dining room. His expression shifted from surprise to curiosity as he took in the sight of the breakfast spread. Emily's heart raced as he turned to Margaret and asked, "What's all this? What's the occasion?"

Margaret smiled kindly, gesturing toward Emily. "It was all made by the young lady."

Emily held her breath as Ethan quickly turned to face her, his eyes locking with hers.

His warm gaze softened the moment their eyes met, and for a second, she felt a bit more at ease. He offered a gentle, "Good morning," his voice filled with a kindness that made her heart flutter.

She swallowed her nervousness, her cheeks flushing under the intensity of his gaze. "Good morning," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "And thank you… for everything you've done for me."

She could tell that Ethan wanted to ask more—his curiosity was clear—but as their eyes met, she felt a strange sense of peace. His presence was comforting, and in that brief exchange, the heaviness of her recent pain seemed to lift, if only for a moment.

As they sat down to breakfast, Emily found herself relaxing, enjoying the simple act of sharing a meal with him. Their conversation was easy, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she could breathe a little. Ethan complimented her cooking, and though she felt embarrassed, it warmed her to know he appreciated the effort she had made.

As they finished their meal, Ethan reached across the table and gently took her hand in his. The gesture caught her off guard, but before she could react, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on the back of her hand.