Chapter 3 - The Escape
"Ethan, you cannot do this!" Chloe shrieked, grabbing his arm with desperate, clawing hands.
"My father’s company is merging with Harrison Industries tomorrow!"
Ethan did not even look at her as he coldly peeled her fingers off his white shirt.
"Then tell your father the deal is dead," Ethan replied smoothly.
He began walking down the aisle, moving directly toward me and the children.
Victor stepped into the aisle, blocking his son's path with a look of pure, unadulterated rage.
"If you walk out those doors with her, you are no longer my son," Victor threatened, his face purple with anger.
"I will strip you of your title, your shares, and your entire inheritance!"
Ethan stopped, standing inches away from the man who had controlled his entire existence.
"You already stole the only thing that ever mattered to me," Ethan whispered fiercely.
He pushed past his father, leaving the billionaire standing powerless in the center of the ruined wedding.
Ethan stopped exactly three feet in front of me, his eyes overflowing with unshed tears.
"Please," he begged, his voice breaking into a million fragmented pieces.
"Please, Emma, just let me look at them."
I felt the familiar, magnetic pull of his presence, but five years of ice shielded my heart.
"You are looking at them, Ethan," I said firmly, keeping my posture rigid.
"But you are not coming with us."
I turned my back on the man I had once thought I would spend eternity with.
"Come on, kids," I instructed softly, holding Maya and Silas by their little hands.
Leo and Asher followed closely behind, casting one final, intimidating glare at the Harrison family.
We walked out of the grand ballroom, the heavy oak doors swinging shut behind us with a satisfying thud.
The Seattle rain was pouring outside, turning the city streets into a blurry canvas of gray and silver.
My private chauffeur, Thomas, was already holding an umbrella over the open door of my black Maybach.
"To the penthouse, Miss Emma?" Thomas asked, his eyes briefly scanning the chaos unfolding inside the hotel lobby.
"Yes, Thomas," I replied, ushering the children safely into the warm, leather interior of the luxury vehicle.
May you like
Just as I was about to slide in, a warm, desperate hand clamped around my wrist.
I spun around, finding Ethan standing in the pouring rain, his white dress shirt completely soaked through.
