Ethan couldn't shake off the tension that had settled in his office after the heated phone call with his father, Anthony Dante. He leaned back in his leather chair, fingers steepled, deep in thought.
The impending arrival of his father wasn't something he had anticipated or desired. Their relationship had been strained for years, worsened by the pressure Anthony had put on him to conform to his expectations. Ethan had fought tooth and nail to become the successful businessman he was today, forging his own path and, in the process, creating his own family.
Emily, Mia, and even Mike were now his core family—a family he had chosen, not one dictated by blood. The thought of his father disrupting the peace he had painstakingly built left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Ethan knew that Olivia, his stepmother, was a master manipulator. Her call had been nothing short of an attempt to gain sympathy and support from her husband. He had slapped her to protect Emily's honor, but he couldn't deny that Olivia had likely exaggerated the situation.
In the midst of his thoughts, his office door swung open, and Emily walked in, her face marked with concern. "Ethan, are you alright? I heard your conversation on the phone."
Ethan's gaze softened as he looked at her, appreciating her genuine concern. He rose from his chair and walked toward her, pulling her into a forceful hug, so you really miss me that made you come to my office
all the concern she had for him dissappeared immediately she saw him take advantage of her concern to hug her but nevertheless she allowed him to hug her because she felt the stress he was passing through even as he tried to hide it
he was not as arrogant as he looked and he was not as domineering as he seemed it seemed he has his own problems but liked to hide them
Ethan closed his eyes, feeling grateful for her unwavering support but at the same time liked the feeling of satisfaction he got when he teased emily. he didn't know when but he was starting to enjoy the feeling of having a family
even as he thought to himself that he won't let her ago even after the two years agreement on the contract was over .