The following morning at RX hotels, in Ethan's lavish suite, Mae and Ethan are reclining on the bed beneath a dark duvet. Both are in a deep slumber. The sound of the alarm clock pierces the room. Mae is stirred from her sleep by the insistent ringing and turns to face Ethan, who instinctively wraps his arm around her. Mae senses the warmth of another body next to hers and snuggles closer. She remains in this intimate embrace for a moment before the realization dawns on her that she is unattached, so who is the man she is embracing? Opening her eyes, she is met with the sight of Ethan peacefully asleep in front of her. Surveying the room, she comprehends that she is in Ethan's opulent suite. This realization sparks a flurry of inquiries in her mind. How did she end up in Ethan's suite, nestled on his bed? She attempts to recollect the events of the previous night's party but finds her memory foggy. The alarm sounds once more, rousing Ethan from his slumber. Lost in her contemplations, Mae remains unaware of the movements beside her.
Ethan awakens to find his arm draped around another individual, and upon opening his eyes, he beholds Mae reclining beside him.
"Mae, what is the reason for your presence here?" he inquires as Mae gazes back at him.
"Ethan, could you explain what transpired yesterday?" she queries.
Recollection floods his mind that they were both imbibing drinks when the situation escalated. Hastily, he raises the duvet and peers underneath.
"This cannot be real," he exclaims as he releases the duvet.
"Ethan, did any significant event occur between us…"
Mae's sentence remains unfinished as the notion of an intimate encounter with Ethan fills her with dread.
"Indeed, we did, Mae," he responds.
Mae regards Ethan with a bewildered expression. What circumstances led to their intimate connection? She had never before engaged in such recklessness.
"How did this happen?" she inquired.
"I am at a loss. I cannot recollect any events from last night," he responded.
"What is our course of action now?" she asked.
"We'll get dressed and then go down to bid Kelly farewell, and then deliberate on this matter," he replied.
"I nearly overlooked Kelly," she remarked.
"She will not be pleased if we neglect to bid her goodbye," he stated.
"I must return to my suite to freshen up," she stated.
"There is not enough time for that. She will be departing shortly," he replied.
"So, what do you suggest I do? I cannot go downstairs in yesterday's attire," she inquired.
"You can stay here and take a shower. I have spare clothes you can wear, so you should be fine," he offered.
"Thank you," she expressed gratitude as she rose from the bed and draped herself with the black duvet, leaving Ethan with the white sheets.
"I will be here if you require anything," he assured as she made her way into the bathroom.
"What truly occurred last night?" he pondered.
After bathing and changing her attire, Mae proceeded to the hotel lobby, while Ethan remained in his suite to make an important phone call.
Mae arrives in the lobby and encounters Rebecca engaged in conversation with the front desk manager. Rebecca notices Mae and promptly embraces her.
"What's happening?" inquired Mae.
"Where have you been? We were concerned about your whereabouts," Rebecca responded.
"Why did you assume I was missing?" Mae inquired.
"You left the party early, and we were unable to find you," Rebecca explained.
"Why were you searching for me?" Mae inquired.
"Mae, your father experienced a panic attack last night," Rebecca revealed.
"Why didn't you inform me?" Mae inquired indignantly.
"I attempted to contact you, but your phone was turned off," Rebecca explained.
"Where is he?" Mae asked.
"He's currently at Houston hospital," Rebecca informed.
"Thank you, Becca," Mae expressed as she hastily exits the hotel.
Rebecca pondered, "What could be happening with Mae?" as she resumed her discussion with the front desk manager.
Upon arriving at Houston hospital, Mae encounters Kelly and Shaun in the waiting area.
"Where is my father, inquired Mae?"
"Mae, where in the world have you been?" inquired Kelly.
"Where is he?" Mae inquired again, this time with a touch of anger.
"He is in room 307," Kelly responded, as Mae swiftly moved towards the elevator.
"Will she be alright?" Shaun inquired.
"With you here, she won't be," Kelly replied.
In room 307, Michael was engaged in conversation with his father when Mae entered.
"Mae," Michael acknowledged.
"I deeply regret not showing up last night," Mae expressed.
"Where were you last night?" Michael inquired.
"An unforeseen matter arose, necessitating my immediate attention," Mae explained.
"Understood," Michael acknowledged.
"What happened to dad?" Mae inquired.
"It was your doing," Mr. Wilson responded.
"Did I behave foolishly yesterday?" Mae asked.
"Now is not the appropriate time, dad," Michael interjected.
"Why is now not the right time?" Mae questioned.
"When were you planning on disclosing your relationship with Kate to me?" Mr. Wilson inquired.
"How did you find out about that?" Mae asked.
"Is that all you have to say?" Mr. Wilson probed.
"I am an adult, father. I am capable of making my own choices," Mae asserted.
"May I ask, Mae, what more you desire from me?" her father asked.
"Just yearning for my mother's presence, Mae inquired. "Is that too extravagant a wish?"
"Your mother has inflicted considerable harm on this family," Mr. Wilson responded.
"She was left with no choice, father," Mae asserted.
"Indeed, she had a choice, Mae. She could have waited until you were prepared to handle our separation," Mr. Wilson asserted.
"Her spouse demanded her return," Mae argued.
"Whose well-being mattered more, her own flesh and blood or her pretense of a marriage?" Mr. Wilson questioned.
"Do not be so quick to judge her, father. You are unaware of her predicament," Mae defended.
"I did not coerce her into marrying a substance abuser," Mr. Wilson refuted.
"Liam is not a substance abuser," Mae defended.
"You two must cease this dispute immediately," Michael intervened.
"Please refrain from interfering, Michael. This is a private matter between father and me," Mae insisted.
"However..."
"I am not inclined to repeat myself," she warned.
"Very well," he relented.
"Is there anything else you wish to share, my dear father?" Mae inquired.
"Why have you been transferring a substantial amount of money to a specific account for the past three years?" Mr. Wilson inquired.
"That money rightfully belongs to me, not you," Mae retorted.
"It is the remuneration you received for your services under my employ, therefore it is mine," Mr. Wilson declared.
"I labored for it, so it rightfully belongs to me," Mae asserted.
"Who is the rightful owner of that account?" inquired Mr. Wilson.
"It belongs to my mother," Mae responded.
"Have you been transferring money to her?" Mr. Wilson questioned angrily.
"Yes, I have, as she requires it for Camilla's education," Mae replied.
"I recognize your pain, but this situation is becoming irrational," Mr. Wilson commented.
"I am not upset. I am solely endeavoring to assist my younger sister," Mae stated.
"Kate is manipulating your emotions, as she always does," Mr. Wilson mentioned.
"She genuinely cares for Camilla and me," Mae defended.
"Why must you continually fabricate excuses to shield the reality that she is an inadequate mother?" Mr. Wilson inquired.
"She is striving to improve. All she needs is for you to grant her an opportunity," Mae retorted.
"I have already put Emily through this ordeal once, and I have no intention of repeating it," Mr. Wilson declared.
"I am not urging you to involve her in this matter," Mae clarified.
"Emily has proven to be a superior mother to you compared to Kate. She has demonstrated love, care, and support during your difficult times," Mr. Wilson argued.
"Emily is not my mother, nor will she ever be," Mae snapped.
"Mae maintain your composure," Michael stated.
"Please refrain from interfering, Michael," Mae retorted with anger.
"I understand how you feel, Mae," Michael expressed as Mae scoffed.
"You cannot comprehend my emotions, Michael. Your parents did not undergo divorce when you were five, your mother did not abandon you at six, you did not commence therapy at seven, you were not compelled to relocate to boarding school at eight, you were not stigmatized as mentally unstable by educators and peers, you did not undergo rehabilitation... you did not reside in a rehabilitation facility for over a year. You possess a devoted mother who cherishes you unconditionally. You do not have a troubled confidante nor do you endure ongoing therapy. You are not afflicted with an anxiety disorder, so kindly elucidate how you perceive my emotional state," Mae articulated as tears cascaded down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry I evoked memories of the past," Michael expressed.
"Your intentions are of no concern to me," Mae retorted.
"While I may not fully comprehend your emotions, I was present during those times. I witnessed the impact it had on you, and I am determined to shield you from a repeat of that ordeal," Michael stated.
"Despite the immense pain she has caused me, she remains my mother. Even if her affection and concern are absent, I feel compelled to stand by her," Mae articulated as she gently wiped tears from her cheeks.
"It is not your responsibility that she is an inadequate mother," Mr. Wilson remarked.
"No, the blame lies with both of you. Despite your awareness of her lack of love, you chose to have a child with her. I would have preferred not to exist at all than to endure this emotional void within me," Mae confessed.
"Please refrain from uttering such words again," Michael implored.
"I love you, father, but I am not solely your daughter. I am also Kate's daughter, and it is imperative for me to support her," Mae articulated.
"If that is your sentiment, I shall honor your choice, but I refuse to accompany you on that path," Mr. Wilson stated.
"What is the implication of your words?" Mae inquired.
"I will allow you two weeks to contemplate whether you wish for Kate, Liam, and Camilla to become your family, or if you desire us to be your family," Mr. Wilson responded.
"Are you compelling me to choose?" Mae questioned.
"I had not intended to reach this point, but your actions have necessitated it. If you persist in foolishness and fail to mature, I will be compelled to facilitate your growth myself," Mr. Wilson replied.
"I hate you," Mae expressed.
"I must request that you refrain from visiting the house or the hotel within the next two weeks," Mr. Wilson declared.
"Father, you are being excessively severe," Michael interjected.
"It is high time we put an end to this chaos," Mr. Wilson declared.
"I shall forever remember today," Mae stated as she exited the room.
"Father, your treatment of her was overly harsh," Michael criticized.
"It is what she requires," Mr. Wilson defended.
"What if she opts for her mother?" Michael inquired.
"If she elects to do so, I shall disown her," Mr. Wilson declared.
"He remains unaware of the incident. I am uncertain of my next course of action. Should I disclose the truth to him or maintain silence?" Michael pondered as he gazed at his father and forced a smile.
In Mae's office at RX hotels, Ethan sat in the chair. The door swung open, and the kitchen manager entered.
"You summoned me, sir," he stated.
"I require your assistance, Daniel," Ethan declared.
"I cannot offer aid without understanding the issue," Daniel replied.
"I have no recollection of last night's events, and I did not consume alcohol yesterday," Ethan explained.
"I don't understand," Daniel admitted.
"David informed me that you oversaw the beverages yesterday," Ethan pointed out.
"How does that relate to your memory loss from last night?" Daniel inquired.
"What did you slip into my drink yesterday?" Ethan questioned.
"What are you insinuating?" Daniel asked, avoiding eye contact.
"Do you truly wish for me to involve Mae in this matter?" Ethan pressed.
"Please spare her involvement," Daniel pleaded.
"What did you do?"
"I didn't have a choice. Bella made me do it".
"Why?" Ethan asked
"She mentioned Mae overstepping her boundaries with Shaun and expressed the need for Mae to appear unfavorable in Shaun's eyes," Daniel responded.
"Why didn't you inform Mae of this?" Ethan inquired.
"Bella threatened to disclose the events that transpired between us, as well as my relationship with Becca," Daniel disclosed.
"That rationale is insufficient to justify keeping Mae in the dark," Ethan countered.
"I deeply regret my actions, Ethan. Should Mae discover my involvement with Bella, she would undoubtedly be filled with anger," Daniel confessed.
"Your cooperation is appreciated. Once Mae returns, I will bring this matter to her attention for her to determine the appropriate course of action," Ethan responded.
"I implore you not to divulge this information to Mae. If she were to uncover the truth and question Bella, I fear Bella would fabricate a false narrative of our interactions," Daniel pleaded.
"Very well, I shall keep silent regarding this matter. However, please inform me if Bella attempts to involve you in such schemes again," Ethan assured.
"Thank you for your understanding, Ethan," Daniel expressed.
"You may resume your duties now," Ethan instructed as Daniel exited the office.
An hour later, Mae and Ethan are seen conversing on a sofa in Mae's office.
"Are you feeling alright?" Ethan inquired.
"I'm not at the moment, but I will be," Mae responded.
"Regarding last night,
"Aphrodisiac is a substance that enhances sexual desire, which is what prompted his actions last night," he stated.
"Why would Daniel engage in such behavior?" she inquired.
"He was being threatened, thus necessitating his actions," he responded.
"Why would anyone engage in such behavior?" she questioned.
"Many individuals do not require justification to inflict harm upon others," he replied.
"What is our course of action now?" she inquired.
"I don't understand," he responded.
"There is a significant likelihood of me becoming pregnant," she stated.
"I had not contemplated that," he admitted.
"If I do become pregnant, how will you proceed?" she inquired.
"I will assume accountability and provide assistance in any possible manner," he assured.
"Do you desire me to proceed with the pregnancy?" she inquired.
"Why would you consider getting rid of your first offspring?" he questioned.
"I didn't anticipate you to genuinely desire me to retain it," she responded.
"Last night may have been an error, yet we mustn't hold it against an innocent life," he declared.
"It's not common to encounter individuals of your caliber," she remarked.
"Please inform me upon receiving any updates," he requested.
"I'm really grateful for all your efforts, Ethan," she conveyed.
"You are most welcome," he replied with a smile.
Following her conversation with Ethan, Mae departs from the hotel and returns to her apartment. Subsequently, Mae discontinues her visits to the hotel as Ethan embarks on a business trip abroad with Shaun. Kelly journeys to Manchester for her upcoming assignment, while Bella heads to New York for a photoshoot unveiling Bryan's newest clothing collection. Despite Michael's attempts to visit Mae, she rebuffs his advances. As Mae begins to encounter symptoms such as morning sickness, fatigue, and decreased appetite, she decides to seek medical attention at the hospital.
Four weeks and five days following the evening when Ethan and Mae shared an intimate moment, Mae contacts Ethan and proposes a rendezvous at Zaffron.