Chapter 3 - THE ENGAGEMENT THAT ENDED BEFORE DINNER
Victoria returned to the mansion the following afternoon.
She arrived with her mother, two garment bags, and an expression that suggested she expected an apology.
I was helping Lily build a tower from wooden blocks in the staff sitting room when I heard raised voices downstairs.
Ethan's voice came first.
“The engagement is over.”
Then Victoria's.
“You cannot be serious.”
“I am.”
“Because of that woman?”
“Because you hurt a child and showed no remorse.”
A sharp silence followed.
Then Victoria laughed.
“You think Rosa loves you? She's been hiding your daughter while collecting a salary from your household.”
My hands stopped moving.
Lily looked up.
“Mommy?”
“Keep building, sweetheart.”
Downstairs, Ethan answered.
“Whatever Rosa and I need to resolve is between us.”
Victoria's voice rose.
“Your father would never have allowed this.”
Ethan's reply was so quiet I barely heard it.
“My father made many mistakes.”
A door slammed.
Moments later, I heard footsteps approaching.
Ethan appeared in the doorway.
He looked exhausted.
“May I come in?”
I nodded.
Lily held up her block tower.
“Look!”
Ethan crouched.
“That's impressive.”
“Castle.”
“I can see that.”
“Bunny live there.”
“A very fortunate rabbit.”
Lily giggled.
I watched them.
He seemed to understand instinctively that children didn't care about wealth or reputation.
They cared whether you listened.
After a few minutes, Lily became distracted by her crayons.
Ethan turned to me.
“Victoria won't be returning.”
I swallowed.
“You didn't have to end your engagement because of me.”
“I didn't.”
He looked toward Lily.
“I ended it because I finally saw who Victoria was.”
I studied him.
“Were you in love with her?”
He hesitated.
“No.”
The answer hurt in a different way.
“Then why marry her?”
He sat across from me.
“Her family has investments tied to mine. My advisers believed the marriage would stabilize several relationships.”
I stared.
“You were going to marry someone for business?”
He gave a bitter smile.
“Apparently.”
I shook my head.
“You used to hate people who did that.”
“I know.”
He looked at his hands.
“I've become someone I don't particularly like.”
For the first time, I heard something I hadn't expected.
Regret.
Not performative.
Not convenient.
Real.
But regret didn't erase four years.
It didn't erase the fear that had driven me away.
And it didn't make our future simple.
“Ethan,” I said carefully, “Lily needs stability.”
“I know.”
“She doesn't need people appearing and disappearing from her life.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
“And she doesn't need to be introduced to a father who's still surrounded by violence.”
He looked at me for a long time.
Then said:
“Tell me what you need me to change.”
I stared.
May you like
“That's not a small question.”
“I wasn't asking a small question.”
