The touch sent a sudden, unexpected warmth through her body. She felt a spark that made her heart skip a beat, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red. She hadn't felt such emotions in a long time—if ever—and the overwhelming feeling left her both flustered and confused.
Ethan chuckled softly, clearly noticing her reaction. "You've done enough for one morning," he teased gently. "Take it easy and get some rest today."
Too shy to say much, Emily simply nodded, trying to contain the rush of emotions that his kiss had stirred. She could hardly meet his eyes, her face warm and her thoughts scattered. She felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness that she couldn't quite put into words.
As Ethan stood and made his way out of the dining room, he glanced back at her one last time, a smile lingering on his lips. Emily watched him go, her mind racing. She couldn't shake the strange but undeniable connection between them, nor the realization that something profound had shifted in that brief morning exchange. She touched the spot on her hand where his lips had been, the warmth still there. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she wondered what this meant for them, unable to ignore the growing flutter in her chest.
Ethan's POV
As Ethan prepared to leave for the office, a part of him wanted to see Emily one last time before heading out. But when he couldn't find her, he stopped himself, realizing how irrational his feelings were becoming. "I need to control this," he thought, shaking his head. The emotions stirring within him felt wrong—she was much younger, vulnerable, and still grieving. It wasn't ethically right to feel this way, and he knew it. Yet, even with that understanding, he couldn't quite shake the pull he felt toward her.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Ethan reached his office and dove into his work, hoping it would distract him. After a while, David arrived with all the information he had gathered about Emily. Ethan scanned through the documents, his heart sinking with every word. He learned about the tragic death of her parents, the devastating impact it had on her life, and how her uncle had abandoned her, leaving her with nothing and no one to turn to.
Reading through it all made Ethan feel a profound sadness. Emily's life had been shattered in ways he hadn't even fully understood until now. The thought of her being so alone weighed heavily on his heart.
"She won't go through this alone anymore," he resolved. Ethan made up his mind—Emily would stay with him, not as a mere guest, but as part of his family. He wanted to support her, help her rebuild her life, and continue her education. But he knew he couldn't make that decision for her. She had lost her agency once, and he wouldn't take it from her again.
Before anything could move forward, he needed to talk to Emily. He had to ask for her consent, to ensure she felt comfortable staying with him. After all, this wasn't just about what he wanted—it was about giving her a choice, something she hadn't been given for too long.
Emily's reaction would likely be a mixture of surprise, gratitude, and emotional overwhelm. Here's how her reaction could unfold
When Ethan approaches Emily to discuss the idea of her staying with him permanently, he would do so with caution, fully aware of the emotional weight she's been carrying. As he carefully explains his offer to her, emphasizing that she would be part of his family and that he wants to help her continue her education and rebuild her life, Emily would likely be caught off guard.
EMILY'S POV
At first, she might not know how to respond. Her mind would whirl with conflicting emotions—shock that someone like Ethan, a man who seemed so far removed from her world, would extend such generosity to her. Gratitude would swell in her chest, but so would a lingering fear of being a burden. She had been cast aside before, after all. What if this was too much? What if she wasn't deserving of this kindness?
Her eyes might well up with tears as the enormity of his offer sinks in. For so long, she had felt abandoned, alone in the world. And now here was someone, a stranger just days ago, who was offering her not just shelter, but a sense of belonging—a family. She would likely be overwhelmed by the idea of someone caring about her so deeply, especially after the betrayal by her uncle. "Are you sure?" she would ask softly, her voice trembling with uncertainty, unsure if this was all too good to be true.
Ethan would reassure her, explaining that he wanted to help her not out of obligation, but because he cared about her. He would remind her that she had a choice in this—she could say no, and he would respect her decision.