Ethan stood in his private study, deep in thought. The memory revealed by the system—of Amara's father scolding her for playing the piano—lingered in his mind. It was a scene that explained so much of her hesitance and guarded nature.
"She wasn't just abandoned by the world," Ethan muttered to himself. "Her own family broke her spirit."
The system chimed softly in his mind.
New Task Reminder: Help Amara Confront Her Past
Objective: Address the emotional scars left by Amara's father.
Progress: 0%.
Ethan smirked faintly. "No need to nag. I'm working on it."
He closed the interface and headed toward the dining hall, where Amara was already seated. The sight of her sipping tea quietly, her posture composed but faintly tense, reminded him of how far she still had to go.
As they ate breakfast in companionable silence, Ethan decided to broach the topic carefully.
"Amara," he began, his tone casual but probing, "what was your relationship with your father like?"
Amara stiffened slightly, her hand pausing mid-air as she reached for her cup. "Why do you ask?"
Ethan leaned back, his gaze steady. "I saw your reaction yesterday when you mentioned your mother. I realized you rarely speak about your father."
Her lips pressed into a thin line. "There's not much to say. He was...distant. Strict."
"Strict enough to forbid you from pursuing what you loved?" Ethan asked pointedly.
Amara's eyes widened briefly before narrowing. "How do you—" She stopped herself, shaking her head. "It doesn't matter. That part of my life is over."
"But it's still holding you back," Ethan countered, his voice firm but not unkind. "You can't truly move forward until you face it."
Amara set her cup down with a sharp clink, her expression guarded. "Not everyone has the luxury of forgetting the past, Ethan."
"I'm not asking you to forget it," he said. "I'm asking you to confront it."
Her gaze dropped to her lap, her hands clenched tightly. "It's not that simple."
Ethan didn't press further, sensing that she needed time. But his resolve only deepened.
Ding!
Amara's Emotional Update: Anxious
Current Mood: Reluctant but Aware.
Reward: 100 Pampering Points.
Later that day, Ethan tasked his assistant to dig deeper into Amara's family history. Within hours, he had a detailed report on her father: Alexander Rowe, a once-influential businessman whose reputation had crumbled after a series of scandals.
Ethan skimmed through the files, noting the pattern of control and perfectionism Alexander had imposed on his daughter.
"No wonder she's so guarded," Ethan muttered, his jaw tightening. "He didn't just neglect her—he crushed her confidence."
The system chimed again.
New Sub-Task: Bring Amara to a Place Tied to Her Past
Objective: Create an opportunity for Amara to confront her suppressed emotions.
Reward: 500 Pampering Points.
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "A place tied to her past..."
He glanced back at the report and found the perfect location: the Rowe family's abandoned summer estate.
That evening, Ethan approached Amara in the library, where she sat reading. She looked up as he entered, her expression curious but wary.
"Amara," he began, his tone calm but firm, "we're taking a trip tomorrow."
"A trip?" she repeated, closing her book. "Where to?"
"To a place that might help you find some answers."
Amara frowned, suspicion flickering in her eyes. "You're being cryptic again."
Ethan smirked faintly. "You'll understand when we get there. Trust me."
Her gaze softened slightly, though her reluctance was still evident. "You're awfully persistent."
"I've been called worse."
The next morning, Ethan and Amara traveled by car to the old Rowe estate. As they approached, Amara's expression grew tense, her hands clutching her dress tightly.
"This place..." she murmured as the car came to a stop.
"It's your family's summer estate, isn't it?" Ethan asked, stepping out and offering her his hand.
Amara hesitated but accepted his help, her eyes scanning the overgrown gardens and the faded grandeur of the mansion. "I haven't been here in years. Not since..."
"Not since your father took away your freedom," Ethan finished, his voice steady.
She shot him a sharp look but said nothing, her expression a mixture of unease and curiosity.
Inside the mansion, memories seemed to flood back for Amara with every step. She paused in the music room, her gaze fixed on a dusty grand piano.
"This was where I used to play," she said quietly. "Before he made me stop."
Ethan stayed silent, giving her the space to process.
Amara approached the piano, her fingers brushing the keys. "He said it was a waste of time. That I needed to focus on becoming the perfect daughter—the perfect pawn for his ambitions."
Her voice trembled slightly, and Ethan stepped closer, his presence steadying. "You're not his pawn anymore, Amara."
Her shoulders sagged, tears welling in her eyes. "But it still feels like I am. Like I'll never be free of him."
Ethan placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice low but firm. "You're stronger than he ever gave you credit for. And you're not alone in this anymore."
Amara looked up at him, her eyes searching his for sincerity.
Ding!
Task Progress: Help Amara Confront Her Past (50%)
Emotional Milestone Achieved: Vulnerability.
Reward: 500 Pampering Points.
For the first time, Amara allowed herself to cry—not out of weakness, but as a release of years of pent-up pain. Ethan stayed by her side, offering quiet support as she began to let go of the shadows that had haunted her for so long.
End of Chapter 15