Chapter 9
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Ethan finished up his work and got up to leave.
At the door, he ran into Nicole and Daniel. Daniel was struggling to carry a cup of coffee as he walked toward him. “Ethan, where are you going?”
“Dad, I’m here to apologize.” Daniel lifted the coffee in his hands. “Please don’t be mad anymore.”
Nicole leaned closer to Ethan, her chest brushing against his arm. “Ethan, the boy knows he made a mistake. Give him another chance.”
Her subtle movements were glaringly obvious to Ethan. She had deliberately unbuttoned the top of her blouse and painted her lips a gaudy red. Her eyes were flirty.
“Ethan, don’t hold it against him. He’s just a child.” Nicole’s warm breath tickled his neck. “It was just a small mistake. Don’t be upset, okay?”
Ethan frowned. The woman fawning over him now was nothing like the proud and aloof Nicole he once knew.
She couldn’t compare to Faith.
Faith always stayed composed and cool, never once displaying such overt and seductive moves.
When it came to the children they raised, Daniel was nowhere near as well–behaved as Callie.
Where had things gone wrong?
Why did Nicole and Daniel feel so off today?
“A small mistake? Do you have any idea how much damage Daniel has caused the company?” Ethan’s tone was harsh.
“Ethan, don’t be angry. Daniel made this coffee for you himself. He knew he was wrong.” Nicole panicked and pushed Daniel forward.
Both mother and son looked up at him expectantly, their eyes filled with longing. Ethan’s heart clenched.
He knew that look too well. Faith and Callie had always looked at him the same way.
“Forget it. Just be more careful next time.” Frustration crept into his voice, and his stance softened against his will.
He didn’t want to argue further. “Stop bringing him to the office so often.”
“Say thank you to Dad.”
Daniel lifted the coffee. “Dad, I’ll be good from now on! I won’t make you mad again!”
Ethan didn’t accept the coffee, simply humming noncommittally before brushing past them and walking toward the elevator.
“Ethari, where are you going?” Sensing something was off, Nicole hurried after him. “Let’s have dinner tonight. I’ll make your favorite dishes.” Ethan shot her a cold glance as he took in her revealing outfit. “I have plans. You’re here to work—behave accordingly.”
Nicole froze in place when she saw the dissatisfaction in Ethan’s eyes.
Why had his attitude toward her and Daniel suddenly changed?
No way. After all she had done to work her way into Ethan’s life, she couldn’t afford to lose him again.
Ethan drove back to the villa.
On the way, he spotted a family of three walking hand in hand. The father held a cotton candy, bending down every few steps to let his child take a bite. The child giggled happily as the mother watched them warmly.
The heartwarming scene made his chest tighten.
For some reason, it reminded him of Faith and Callie. He had never once enjoyed a day out with them.
Pulling over, Ethan got out and bought a cotton candy and a corndog.
This was the first time he had ever bought a treat for Callie. She’d probably be delighted.
He hadn’t been there for her birthday yesterday. Today, he would make it up to her and take them out for dinner.
–With that thought, he parked his car and carried the treats home.
The villa was empty. No one greeted him.
“Faith?”
Callie?”
He was met with a dead silence that made his heart clench with unease.
He set the cotton candy and other snacks on the table and hurried upstairs to check on them.
The rooms were empty.
Chapter 9
Taking out his phone, he dialed Faith’s number.
Her phone was still turned off.
“Callie should still be in school,” he murmured, glancing at the time.
He had been too anxious. Callie must still be at school, so he grabbed the treats again and drove straight to the preschool.
One by one, the children left the school after classes, but he did not spot Callie,
Frowning, Ethan stepped out of his car and walked to the preschool entrance. Anna Burns, the teacher on duty, recognized him immediately. “Mr. Hale, Daniel was absent today.”
