CHAPTER 12

Ethan nodded thoughtfully, his mind spinning with the realization. Emily wasn't someone to hide. She was just honest, even if it got her into trouble. His chest tightened slightly, torn between pride and frustration. Maybe I've been too harsh... too controlling.

Without wasting more time, Ethan and David left for home. Ethan's mind raced as they drove back. He was no longer just concerned about the garden or the fire; he was starting to realize that his relationship with Emily needed to change. He had been trying to protect her, but in doing so, he might have been pushing her away.

As they neared the house, Ethan knew he needed to fix this—not just the fire, but everything between them. There was more at stake now than just control or protection.

As soon as Ethan stepped into the house, the sight before him stopped him in his tracks. Emily was on the floor, her hands and legs tied with a rope, her face streaked with tears. The bodyguards, who had captured her during her attempted escape, were standing nearby, looking tense.

Ethan's heart clenched painfully at the sight. He had been angry with her earlier, frustrated by her defiance, but this—seeing her tied up like this—hit him in a way he hadn't expected. Anger flared up inside him, but this time it wasn't directed at Emily. It was directed at himself, at the situation that had spiralled so far out of control, and at the bodyguards who had been too harsh in their actions.

This is all because of me, he thought, guilt washing over him. I pushed her too far.

"Untie her, now," Ethan commanded, his voice low but filled with authority. The bodyguards hesitated for a moment, surprised by his tone, but they quickly obeyed, releasing Emily's wrists and ankles from the ropes.

As soon as she was free, Emily slowly sat up, rubbing her sore wrists. Her eyes, still brimming with tears, met Ethan's. She could see the frustration and regret in his expression, but before she could say anything, he knelt down beside her, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and pain.

"Why did you do this?" Ethan's voice cracked slightly, a mixture of frustration and hurt.

Emily wiped her tears, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry, Ethan. I didn't mean for it to go this far. I just wanted to—" she paused, looking away in shame, "I just wanted to teach you and the bodyguards a lesson. I had no idea that a small flame could turn into something so big."

Ethan closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm the storm of emotions within him. He had been so focused on controlling her, on keeping her safe, that he hadn't realized how much pressure he'd been putting on her. He hadn't realized that his protectiveness had made her feel trapped, like she had no voice, no freedom. And now, they were both paying the price for it.

"You scared me, Emily," Ethan said quietly, his voice softer now, the anger giving way to something deeper. "I don't care about the fire... I care about you. I never wanted this."

Emily looked up at him, surprised by the softness in his tone. "I didn't mean to hurt anyone," she whispered, her tears threatening to spill over again. "I was just so frustrated, and I wanted to feel free for once."

Ethan nodded, understanding now more than ever what had driven her to this point. He reached out, gently brushing a tear from her cheek. "I know," he murmured. "And I'm sorry too. I've been too hard on you."

They sat there for a moment in silence, the weight of everything that had happened hanging in the air between them. For the first time in a long while, Ethan realized that things needed to change—he couldn't keep treating her like someone who needed constant guarding. She deserved more freedom, more trust.