Chapter 50: Mine forever
When he finally stepped out of the car, the mansion’s grandeur felt hollow, a stark reminder of everything he had lost. He followed Mara inside, his footsteps echoing in the vast, empty halls. She was already halfway through the room.
"Mara," he called out, his voice echoing through the silence. She paused but didn’t turn around. "This is still your home. You belong here. With me."
Mara’s shoulders stiffened as she walked away, her silent retreat punctuating the tension in the air. For a fleeting moment, Ethan dared to hope she might call back, but her determined steps only grew fainter, swallowed by the distance.
Just then, Mrs. Morgan’s cheerful voice cut through the stillness. "Oh my God, it’s so good! To see you, madam, I’m so glad you came back. We were all so worried about you!" Her warm greeting came as Ethan and Mara appeared, a brief pause in their troubled dance.
Without missing a beat, Ethan closed the gap between them, scooped Mara up and carried her toward the staircase leading to their bedroom. "Put me down, Ethan!" she protested, struggling against his grip as they ascended. With a mischievous glint, he replied, "Not yet," giving her a light, teasing tap on the butt. Mara’s angry cry of "Ethan!" fell on unyielding ears as he continued his determined climb.
Once in the sanctuary of their bedroom, Ethan set her down as gently as he could. Seizing the moment, Mara made a desperate dash for the door, a bid for freedom. "Ah, no, Mrs. Anderson, not under my watch, you are not leaving me again!" she exclaimed. In an instant, Ethan’s arms enveloped her from behind, his embrace firm and unrelenting. With a swift motion, he locked the door and held the key high, a silent promise that her escape was not an option tonight.
Mara slammed her fists against the door, her voice sharp with frustration. "Ethan, open the door. I want to leave."
Ethan leaned against the dresser, twirling the key between his fingers, his lips curling into a teasing smirk. "You want this? Come and get it."
Mara lunged for it, but he was quicker. With a flick of his wrist, he slipped the key into his side pocket, his eyes gleaming with challenge.