The night after the gala, Lena was drunk — drunk as a donkey — clinging tightly to Ethan's body as he carried her inside the mansion.
The housemaids stood in line, peeping from the corners and gossiping about how badly she must have drunk. Christian, who was already at the mansion, made way as Ethan carried Lena upstairs to her room. He stayed back, watching quietly.
Lena murmured something amid soft tears. Ethan said nothing, only stood there watching her for a while before gently lifting her again and planting a kiss on her forehead.
Unintentionally, Lena grabbed his hand and squeezed tightly. Ethan didn't pull away.
He whispered to himself, It will definitely hurt.
For the first time in years, his heart leapt painfully. He wondered if letting her in would finally break him. If something were ever to happen between them again, this time... he wanted it to mean something.
Just as he tried to slip his hand away, Christian, curious about the delay, walked in — and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw them holding hands.
Without a word, Christian backed out, leaving Ethan standing over Lena, lost in thought.
After some time, Ethan left the room.
"How's she?" Christian asked casually, though his eyes sought something deeper in Ethan's face.
"I think she drank too much, but she's okay now," Ethan replied quickly, almost avoiding Christian's gaze.
Christian took it as a good sign.
Ethan headed to his private bar and stood there, staring into space. His mind wandered back to the first night with Lena — where it all started. Part of him blamed himself for giving in that night. Yet another part was strangely happy he had been her first.
Christian, noticing Ethan's emotional turmoil, chose not to ruin it by asking questions.
Lena is doing something no one ever managed to do, he thought.
She's breaking through.
He took a seat across from Ethan and watched him silently. Ethan barely noticed.
"She'll be fine," Christian said lightly. "And I don't think she made a scene."
Ethan smiled faintly. "Yeah... she didn't."
It was past 4 a.m. The men needed rest for the day ahead. Christian stood up to leave, but Ethan remained where he was.
"You're not going to your bedroom?" Christian asked, surprised.
"No, no. I can manage here."
"Man, you have like ten bedrooms. Why here?"
Ethan lifted his head slightly, voice rough with honesty.
"The last time we... got caught up with each other, we were drunk. Somehow, I think she deserves some space now. Also, I don't want her seeing me walking out of her room tomorrow morning... it might confuse her even more."
Christian hummed, amused.
"Hmm... strange, but okay. I'll sleep here too. Make it less suspicious."
"Suit yourself," Ethan mumbled before drifting off.
---
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows.
Lena stirred awake, finding herself dressed in her own nightgown, tucked in neatly with Ethan's jacket over her. She inspected the bed — it didn't look like anything had happened last night.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Lena croaked.
A maid entered, smiling warmly.
"Good morning, ma'am. You're awake. I checked on you several times."
"Where's Clara?" Lena asked.
"Today is her day off, ma'am."
The maid offered her some tea to ease her headache. Lena took it, then slowly made her way to freshen up.
After brushing her teeth and showering, Lena wandered down to the dining table — and was surprised to see Ethan already seated, breakfast spread before him.
"Good morning," she said, taking a seat beside him.
"Good morning to you too," he replied without looking up.
Lena fidgeted, trying to read his expression.
"Did we...?" she blurted out.
"No," Ethan answered immediately.
"Oh, thank God," she sighed in relief.
"Really, Lena?" he teased.
"I'm sorry, it's not that... I mean, I wouldn't want to be unconscious if it happened — not that it's you — I mean, sorry... I'm talking too much."
Ethan chuckled under his breath.
"Was I bad?"
"Oh, no. We took you home before anything could happen. No one noticed."
"We?"
"Yeah. Christian and I."
"And... did I embarrass myself?"
"You got a little emotional," Ethan said, "but I think it was just the alcohol."
Lena made a mental note to thank Christian later.
Just then, her phone rang — a video call from her brother. She picked up immediately.
Audrey was worried; she had called him the night before but he hadn't picked up because he was already asleep. They chatted briefly about his health, his meals, and his new caretakers.
"You're sounding like a mom, Aud teased."
"Of course! It's my duty to protect you, at least until you're taller than me," she laughed.
Ethan watched the exchange quietly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
After the call ended, Lena caught him staring.
"He sounds fine," Ethan said casually.
"Yeah, he does. I can't wait to visit him."
"You said you're like a mom. What did your mom look like?" Ethan asked, surprising her.
She smiled sadly.
"Like a mom," she joked, but the look in Ethan's eyes made her sober.
"I'm sorry. That was a bad joke."
He shook his head. "You lost yours too."
Lena swallowed.
"My mom worried a lot. She really cared... but she passed away in an accident with my dad. Audrey survived, but... not without consequences."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I didn't think I could survive losing them, but here I am. I was eighteen at the time, and Audrey was entrusted to me."
Ethan was silent for a long moment.
Finally, he said, "My dad's in a home. His choice. We're not that close."
He paused.
"My mom..." his voice grew rough.
"I heard she died."
"You heard?"
He nodded.
"I don't remember her. I was nineteen when I got into an accident... lost my memory of her. I only know what she looks like from photos. I don't remember her voice, her favorite food... nothing."
Silence stretched between them.
"I'm okay," he added quickly, as if to brush it off. He stood up and left the table.
Christian, watching from a distance, saw the whole exchange.
This is the furthest he's ever let someone in, he thought.
Maybe Lena could really help him heal.
Lena later found Ethan in his study, head bent low over his desk. She watched for a moment but didn't disturb him.
Ethan eventually rose and made his way to the gym — his usual escape.
---