CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Ethan stood up, preparing to leave, but the man suddenly began to mumur to himself. Ethan's expression unreadable as he sat back down, his eyes locked on the man.

"Go on," Ethan said, his voice gentle but firm.

The man looked up, his eyes filled with tears. "I was so frustrated," he said, his voice cracking. I was in debt, and I couldn't pay it off. I started taking out my aggression on my wife and daughter."

Ethan's expression turned grim. "And then your wife left?"

The man nodded, his eyes welling up with tears. "She couldn't take it anymore. She left me and our daughter behind."

Ethan's voice was firm but controlled. "And then you took out your frustrations on your daughter."

The man looked down, his eyes filled with shame. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

Ethan leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "Well, well, well," he said finally.

The man looked up, his eyes hopeful. "I've told you everything," he said. "Will you release me now? I need to get out of here."

Ethan's expression turned cold. "You think confessing to child abuse is enough to get you released?"

The man's face fell, and he looked down, his eyes filled with shame.

"I thought...I thought if I confessed, you would let me go," he whispered.

The man looked up, his eyes hopeful. "I've told you everything," he said. "Will you release me now? I need to get out of here."

Ethan's expression turned calm. "We said your sentence would be lighter if you cooperated," he reminded the man. "We didn't say you'd be released."

The man's face fell, and he looked down, his eyes filled with disappointment.

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As the lunch break began, Ava and Ethan decided to grab a bite at a restaurant across the road from the station. As they sat down at a table, Ava turned to Ethan with a mischievous grin.

"I'm coming to your house today, no matter what you say," Ava declared.

Ethan's eyes widened, and he choked on his drink. His heart began to beat faster.

"What's wrong?" Ava asked, noticing Ethan's reaction.

Ethan hesitated, trying to come up with an excuse. "It's just...I don't know if that's a good idea," he stammered.

Ava's grin only grew wider. "I don't care. I'm coming over tonight."

Ethan nodded reluctantly, trying to hide his growing anxiety.

After finishing their lunch, they headed back to the station, holding hands. As soon as they arrived, Ethan excused himself to use the restroom.

Once inside, he quickly pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"Hey, Sam," Ethan said, trying to sound calm.

"Hey, boss," Sam replied, her voice low and cautious.

"I need you to vacate the house," Ethan instructed. "Get rid of anything that could...complicate things."

Sam's voice was laced with concern. "Boss, are you alright?"

Ethan's response was firm. "Just do as I say. I'm bringing a visitor home."

Sam hesitated for a moment before responding. "Okay, boss."

Ethan continued, "Once you've cleaned everything, I want you to leave. I'll send you some money to stay at a hotel for the night."

Sam agreed, and Ethan ended the call. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves, before exiting the restroom.

Ethan came back looking nervous,

"Hey, are you okay?" Ava asked, concern etched on her face. "You look a bit nervous."

Ethan hesitated, trying to brush it off. "I'm fine, just...hm...I don't know, it's just that you're coming to my house for the first time."

Ava's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Am I making you nervous? Are you worried I'll judge your interior decoration?"

Ethan chuckled, trying to play it cool. "No, it's not that...it's just...I don't know, I guess I'm just a bit anxious."

Ava's expression softened, and she reached out to touch Ethan's arm. "Hey, it's okay. I'm not going to judge you. I just want to spend time with you."

The police station was bustling with activity, but there were no new cases to work on. Some detectives had left to investigate the attempted murder of Julian, while others were busy with paperwork.

Ava, having led most of the investigations, was asked to stay behind while the other detectives went out to gather more information.

As the day wore on, Ethan's phone rang, and he excused himself to take the call.

"Boss, I'm done with everything," Sam said on the other end of the line. "I'm outside now."

Ethan quickly sent some money to Sam and instructed him not to call.

As the evening drew to a close, Ava waved goodbye to the other detectives, and Ethan walked her out of the station.

Ryan, caught up with them, and the three chatted for a while before Ethan and Ava said their goodbyes.

As they got to the car heading to Ethan's house, they talked lost in conversation.

But when they arrived at Ethan's house, Ava's eyes widened in shock.

Ava's eyes widened in shock as she gazed at the mansion before her. It was enormous, with a sprawling lawn and a mini waterfall cascading into a sparkling swimming pool. The exterior was beautifully lit, giving the entire scene a heavenly ambiance.

"Wow, Ethan, you're...you're this rich?" Ava stuttered, her eyes fixed on the mansion. "And you chose to work as a detective?"

Ethan ignored her question, getting out of the car to open the gates. He drove in, then got out again to lock the gates behind them. Finally, he opened Ava's door, helping her out of the car.

Ava's eyes darted around the property, taking in the opulent details. As they stepped inside, she gasped at the stunning interior. The couch was sumptuously comfortable, and the massive TV screen dominated one wall.

Ava sank into the couch, running her hand over the soft cushions. "Oh my gosh, this is incredible."

She turned to Ethan, who was watching her with a small smile. "Ethan, is this really where you live? You live here alone?"

Ava's eyes sparkled with curiosity. " first, I have to ask, this is really where you live?"

Ethan nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "Yes, this is my home."

Ava's gaze wandered around the expansive room. "I thought you lived in a small apartment or something. This house is huge!"

"How do you clean?"

Ethan chuckled. "I do hire people to clean and maintain the property. They come and go as needed."

Ava's eyes widened in amazement. "You're...you're really rich, aren't you?" she exclaimed.

Ethan laughed nervously. "Let's just say I'm comfortable."

Ava grinned mischievously. "I'm never looking at you the same way again."

Ethan's face turned slightly red as he said, "I'll go get you something to drink."

But Ava was already on the move as she sighted a door,she guessed it must be the kitchen, racing past Ethan towards the kitchen. "I need to see your kitchen" she exclaimed.

As she entered the kitchen, she turned back to Ethan, who was standing in the doorway. "Ethan, you live here alone? This is heaven! You're living in paradise!"

Ethan's face turned even redder as he smiled, clearly embarrassed by Ava's enthusiasm.

Ava's eyes sparkled with excitement. "You know what, Ethan? I'm dying here. I'm not going anywhere. How can one person live in a mansion like this alone?"

Ethan chuckled.

"Okay, okay. Take me to your room," Ava said, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Ethan led her up a stunning spiral staircase, which left Ava breathless. "Wow, even the stairs are beautiful!"

As they reached the top, Ava asked, "Ethan, how many rooms are in this mansion?"

Ethan replied, "About fifteen."

Ava's eyes widened. "Fifteen rooms? Ethan, do you sleep in a different room every night?"

Ethan laughed, and Ava playfully rolled her eyes.

As they entered Ethan's room, Ava gasped. "Ethan, is this where you sleep every night?"

The room was opulent, with a king-size bed, sparkling walls, a plush rug, and a comfortable-looking sofa.

Ava couldn't believe her eyes. "Ethan, you're filthy rich!...I had no idea... Are you from a rich family or what?"

Ethan nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "Yes, my parents are wealthy."

Ava nodded, taking it all in.

Ethan offered to prepare something to eat, and Ava agreed to join him downstairs later.

As Ethan left, Ava began exploring the room, marveling at the luxurious decor.

But as she wandered around, she stumbled upon something that caught her attention - an envelope.

She picked it up, opened it, and her eyes widened in shock.