Ethan's face registered shock as he processed the last words. Husband? He turned to look at Nadia, who was now flushed with anger and embarrassment. The tension in the room thickened, and the silence was broken by quiet snickers from the sidelines.
Nadia's eyes blazed with fury as she pointed an accusatory finger at Ethan. "You're the reason I had to marry you! You ran away and left me with no choice!" Her voice trembled with rage and frustration.
Ethan, struggling to keep his composure, felt a sudden surge of guilt mixed with confusion. He had no memory of this, yet the intensity of her emotions told him it was the truth. He tried to form a response, but before he could, the old man, Gregory, slammed his hand on the table, silencing the room.
"Enough!" Gregory's voice boomed, and everyone fell silent, the echoes of his anger reverberating through the dining hall. He looked at each one of them with disappointment. "This is not how a family should behave. Your mother would be disheartened to see you all fighting like this."
The mention of their late mother cast a somber mood over the room. Heads bowed, and no one dared to speak. Gregory took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "We need to come together, not tear each other apart. Ethan is back, and we must make an effort to mend our relationships."
Ethan took a moment to gather his thoughts. He could feel the weight of everyone's expectations and resentment. The dynamics here were more complicated than he had imagined, and he realized he had a long way to go to understand and navigate this family.
"Look," Ethan said, trying to sound conciliatory. "I don't remember everything clearly, but I'm willing to try and make things right. Can we at least give it a chance?"
Gregory nodded approvingly, while the others remained silent, their expressions ranging from skeptical to indifferent. Nadia, still fuming, crossed her arms and looked away, but didn't say anything further.
Dinner continued in relative silence, the air thick with unspoken words and unresolved tensions. Ethan knew that earning their trust and understanding the true nature of their grievances would take time, but he was determined to see it through.
After the meal, as the family dispersed, Gregory approached Ethan. "Join me in the study," he said quietly. Ethan nodded and followed him.
In the study, surrounded by books and old photographs, Gregory poured himself a drink and offered one to Ethan. "There are things you need to know," Gregory began, his tone serious. "Things about this family, and your place in it."
Ethan listened intently as Gregory recounted the family's history, the expectations, the pressures, and the events that led to the current estrangement. It became clear that the real Ethan had left because of a combination of personal and familial conflicts, many of which were still unresolved.
"Ethan," Gregory said, looking him straight in the eyes, "if you truly want to stay and make things right, you'll have to face these challenges head-on. This family needs healing, and it starts with you."
Ethan nodded, a sense of determination filling him. He was ready to take on whatever came next, to uncover the truth, and perhaps, to find a place where he truly belonged.
Ethan listened as Gregory explained his retirement plans. "In two years, I will step down," Gregory said, his eyes fixed on Ethan. "Prove yourself in the business, and you'll get a share of the conglomerate. Fail, and you'll only be left with a stipend." He paused, looking somber. "And as far as Nadia is concerned, I don't want you to break the marriage. You two need to work things out."
Ethan nodded, but his mind was swirling with thoughts. The weight of Gregory's expectations felt immense. Prove himself in business? He didn't even know where to begin. And Nadia—how was he supposed to fix a marriage he didn't even remember entering into?
With a heavy heart, Ethan returned to his room. The opulence that had once felt like an exciting opportunity now felt like a golden cage. He collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to process everything. He wasn't planning to marry in this lifetime, and now he was not only married but married to someone who hated him.
The door creaked open slightly, and Nadia stood there, her expression a mixture of anger and reluctance. "We need to talk," she said, her voice firm but controlled.
Ethan sat up, nodding. "Yeah, we do. Come in."
Nadia entered the room, closing the door behind her. She didn't sit, instead choosing to stand a few feet away from him, arms crossed defensively. "I don't know what game you're playing, but I'm not going to be a pawn in it," she began. "This marriage was a mistake from the start, and your disappearance only made it worse."
Ethan took a deep breath. "I know this is complicated, and I can't remember everything. But I want to understand. I want to try and make things right."
Nadia's eyes narrowed. "Make things right? Do you even understand what you left behind? The humiliation, the questions, the pity?" Her voice wavered, and Ethan could see the pain beneath her anger.
"I'm sorry," Ethan said softly. "I know words aren't enough, but I really am sorry. I was hoping we could start over, maybe find a way to make this work."
Nadia shook her head, frustration evident on her face. "Start over? You think it's that simple?" She let out a bitter laugh. "You've got a lot to prove, Ethan. Not just to me, but to everyone in this house."
"I know," Ethan replied. "And I'm willing to try. But I need your help. Tell me what went wrong. Tell me how we ended up here."
Nadia's eyes softened, just a fraction. She looked away, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. "We married because it was what our families wanted. It was supposed to unite our businesses, strengthen our positions. But you... you always seemed to resent it. And then you left. No explanation, no goodbye."
Ethan listened, trying to piece together the fragments of his past. "I can't change what happened," he said finally. "But I can try to be better. Can we at least try to work together?"
"And you think I do not know about the girls you are spending time with? Ana.. Mary. the one even belongs to the mafia world!" She glared back but he did not try to hide it. He did not even try.
"By working together, I meant business." She was surprised that he was not even trying to hide it. "If you and I would split, we both would lose our chance in my father's property. With all the drama you have done on the dinner table. Do not tell me that you are not interested in it in the slightest. But if that is the case, you are free to leave now and tell everyone about my affairs."