Chapter 10 - Ethan’s Last Weapon
Ethan smiled.
It was a desperate smile.
But dangerous.
“Ask your father why he investigated me before the engagement.”
Emma turned toward Daniel.
Her father’s face changed.
Ethan saw it.
“So you didn’t tell her.”
Daniel said nothing.
Emma’s heart tightened.
“Tell me what?”
Ethan leaned back against the wall.
“Your father knew I had debt. He knew about North Meridian. He knew Vanessa employed me.”
Emma stared at Daniel.
“Is that true?”
Daniel exhaled.
“Yes.”
The answer hurt.
“You knew?”
“I knew parts of it.”
“And you said nothing?”
“I had no proof of fraud.”
“You could have warned me.”
“I tried.”
Emma remembered the questions.
The background checks.
The arguments about moving too fast.
She had believed Daniel was being controlling.
Ethan watched the distance grow between them and pressed harder.
“He let you marry me because he wanted to catch Vanessa.”
Daniel’s head snapped toward him.
“That is a lie.”
“Is it?”
Ethan looked at Emma.
“Ask him why Natalie contacted him before she contacted you.”
Emma turned to Natalie.
Natalie lowered her eyes.
Daniel stepped forward.
“We had reason to believe you were in danger. But every direct warning made you defend him more.”
“You should have trusted me with the truth.”
“I was afraid you would confront him without evidence.”
Emma’s voice cracked.
“So you let me walk into the wedding?”
Daniel’s eyes filled.
“No. I came to stop it.”
He pulled an unopened letter from inside his coat.
“I arrived before the ceremony. You had already gone into the chapel.”
Emma looked at the envelope.
Her name was written on it.
Daniel continued.
“I stood outside those doors for ten minutes. Then I saw you smiling.”
His voice broke.
“I was terrified that if I dragged you away without proof, I would lose you forever.”
Emma’s anger collided with grief.
Ethan smiled wider.
“There. Even your father chose the plan over you.”
Emma looked down at the wedding ring in her palm.
For the first time, the room did not feel divided between villains and heroes.
It felt full of people who had made choices for her.
Then Rachel spoke.
“He’s distracting you.”
Everyone turned.
Rachel pointed to Ethan’s jacket.
“He still has the flash drive.”
Ethan’s hand moved instinctively toward his pocket.
May you like
Security reached him first.
👉 The flash drive contained more than forged contracts—it contained the blueprint for destroying Emma’s name.
