Millionaire Marriage

Shadows From the Past

Chapter 11

The rest of their weekend at the cabin passed in a blissful haze. Ethan and Ava spent their days exploring the woods and their nights wrapped up in each other by the fireplace. For the first time in a long while, Ava felt like the weight of her past was no longer looming over her.

But as they drove back to the city, Ava's heart began to grow heavy again. She could feel the reality of their lives creeping back in, especially now that she had opened up to Ethan about her family. She couldn't escape the sense that the peaceful bubble they'd created would soon burst.

Ethan must have sensed her shift in mood. His hand reached for hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "We're in this together, remember?"

Ava smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I know. I just... It's hard not to worry about what's waiting for us back home."

He glanced at her, his expression serious. "Whatever it is, we'll handle it. We'll do it the way we've handled everything else—side by side."

Ava nodded, trying to absorb his calm confidence. But deep down, she knew the shadows of her past weren't just lingering—they were closing in.

When they arrived back in the city, everything felt different. The familiar hum of the streets, the towering buildings—what once felt normal now seemed foreboding. Ava couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen.

As they unpacked their bags and settled back into Ethan's apartment, Ava's phone buzzed on the kitchen counter. She glanced at the screen and immediately felt her stomach drop. It was a message from her older brother, David.

We need to talk. Urgent. Call me.

Ava's heart raced. She hadn't heard from David in months, and whenever he reached out, it meant trouble. Ethan noticed the change in her expression as she stared at her phone.

"Is everything okay?" he asked, concern flickering in his eyes.

Ava hesitated for a moment before answering. "It's my brother. He says he needs to talk to me... urgently."

Ethan stepped closer, his face tense. "Do you want to call him? I'll be right here if you need me."

Ava swallowed hard, the familiar anxiety she always felt around her family beginning to rise. But she knew she couldn't keep running from this. She had to face it.

She nodded. "I'll call him now."

Taking a deep breath, she dialed the number. It rang only once before David picked up.

"Ava," he said, his voice low and serious. "We've got a problem."

Her heart sank. "What's going on, David?"

"It's Dad," he said grimly. "He's in trouble. Serious trouble this time."

Ava felt her legs go weak, and she had to lean against the kitchen counter for support. "What kind of trouble?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line, the kind that made Ava's stomach twist in knots. "He's gotten mixed up with some dangerous people," David finally said. "People who don't take kindly to debts not being paid."

Ava's hand trembled as she clutched the phone. "How bad is it?"

"Bad," David replied, his tone grave. "I wouldn't be calling if it wasn't. He owes them a lot of money, Ava, and they're running out of patience. They know where we are, and it won't be long before they come looking for you."

A cold fear spread through her body. "Me? Why would they come after me?"

"You know how Dad is," David said bitterly. "He doesn't care who gets hurt as long as he can save his own skin. He's probably already dragged your name into this to buy himself time."

Ava's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. She had tried so hard to distance herself from her father's shady dealings, but it seemed no matter how far she ran, they always found a way to pull her back in.

"Ava?" David's voice snapped her back to the present. "You need to be careful. These people don't play around. I'm trying to handle things from my end, but... you might want to lay low for a while."

She hung up the phone, her hands shaking. Ethan was by her side in an instant, his face full of worry. "What happened?"

Ava felt tears prick the corners of her eyes. "It's my dad. He's in deep trouble with some people, and they might come after me."

Ethan's jaw tightened, and his protective instinct kicked in. "I'm not letting anything happen to you, Ava. We'll figure this out."

She looked at him, her emotions swirling in a storm of fear and guilt. "Ethan, I never wanted to drag you into this. I didn't want my past to affect you, but now..."

He cupped her face in his hands, his voice firm but gentle. "You're not dragging me into anything. We're in this together, remember? You don't have to face this alone."

Ava leaned into his touch, her heart aching with gratitude and fear. She didn't know what was coming, but with Ethan by her side, she felt stronger—strong enough to face whatever lay ahead.

But even as she stood there, wrapped in Ethan's arms, a chill ran down her spine. She knew the storm was coming. And this time, it wasn't just her future that was at risk—it was their future together.