The questions weighed on Ethan as the week unfolded. He found himself drawn to
Eclipse again, needing to see Mia in her element. This time, he didn't stay hidden in the shadows of the VIP section. Instead, he sat front and center, letting her know he was there.
When Mia stepped onto the stage, her movements faltered for a brief second before she recovered. Ethan's presence was undeniable. His sharp gaze followed her every move, making her feel both vulnerable and emboldened.
After the performance, Ethan waited for her backstage. When she entered her dressing
room, she froze.
"You've got some nerve," she said, slamming the door shut.
"You're not the only one with secrets, Mia," Ethan replied, his tone calm but firm. "I needed to see this for myself."
"You needed to see what?" she demanded, crossing her arms. "The side of me you're too judgmental to understand?"
Ethan stepped closer, his voice low. "I needed to see the real you—the woman
who's so much more than the waitress you pretend to be during the day."
Mia scoffed, though her heart pounded in her chest. "And what does the great Ethan Cole think now?"
"I think," Ethan said slowly, "that you've been through more than I realized. And I think I owe you an apology—for underestimating you."
Mia blinked,taken aback. She hadn't expected him to be so... human.
"Why do you care?" she asked, her voice quieter now.
Ethan hesitated before answering. "Because you intrigue me. And because I need to know who I'm entrusting with my family and my life."