Millionaire Marriage

Beneath the Surface

Chapter 22

The air felt thick with tension as the four of them settled into their roles, each taking a position that allowed them to monitor the surroundings. The cabin, once a place of warmth and laughter, had transformed into a fortress of anxiety, shadows lurking just beyond their sight.

Ava positioned herself near the door, gripping the frying pan tightly. "We can't let fear control us," she reminded herself, though her heart raced with every creak of the cabin.

Ethan moved to the window, peering into the darkness. "Just keep your eyes open," he instructed. "If we see anything, we act."

Ava could feel the weight of Ethan's gaze, a protective aura surrounding him that both calmed and excited her. She wanted to reach out and reassure him, but the gravity of the situation made it difficult to find the right words.

"Let's try to stay quiet," Lisa suggested, her voice barely above a whisper. "The last thing we need is to give them a reason to come in here."

As they settled into an uneasy silence, Ava's mind began to race with thoughts of Marcus. She couldn't shake the feeling that he was more than just a brother seeking revenge—he was a threat that seemed to know no bounds.

"Why is he doing this?" Ava finally asked, breaking the silence. "What does he want?"

Ethan's expression darkened as he turned from the window. "Control. It's always been about control for him. After our parents died, I took over the family business, and he didn't take it well. He thinks I betrayed him."

"That's insane," David said incredulously. "You didn't do anything wrong!"

"Try telling that to him," Ethan replied, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "He's convinced I took everything from him."

The room fell silent again, the weight of their situation pressing down on them. Ava could sense Ethan's turmoil, the conflict within him threatening to surface. She moved closer to him, wanting to bridge the gap between them.

"Ethan," she said softly, "you're not responsible for his choices. You've worked hard to build your life. He's the one who needs to take responsibility for his actions."

He looked at her, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. "Thanks, Ava. It's just hard to see it that way sometimes."

"Just remember we're here for you," she urged, her voice steady. "We're in this together."

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from outside, sending all four of them into high alert. Ava's heart raced as she tightened her grip on the frying pan, exchanging nervous glances with the others.

"What was that?" Lisa whispered, her eyes wide.

"I don't know," Ethan replied, his voice taut with tension. "But we need to check it out."

"Are you crazy?" David exclaimed. "What if it's them?"

"We can't sit here and wait," Ethan insisted. "We have to know what we're dealing with."

Ava felt a surge of fear but also a need for action. "Okay, but we stick together," she said firmly. "No one goes off alone."

They slowly moved to the door, Ethan in front, scanning the area before stepping outside. The moonlight illuminated the path ahead, revealing the stillness of the night—but there was no sign of danger.

As they stepped cautiously onto the porch, the noise of rustling leaves filled the air, making Ava's heart race. "Stay close," Ethan whispered, motioning for them to follow.

They crept around the cabin, their senses heightened as they listened for any signs of movement. Ava's mind raced with possibilities, each step feeling like it could lead them into a trap.

But as they reached the edge of the woods, they saw it—a fallen branch, broken and twisted, lying across the path. The noise had been nothing more than nature, yet the tension remained thick in the air.

"Just a branch," David said, exhaling a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "False alarm."

Ethan nodded but remained alert. "Let's head back inside. We can't afford to be careless."

As they turned to make their way back, a low growl echoed from the shadows behind them, freezing them in their tracks.

"What was that?" Lisa whispered, her voice trembling.

"I don't know, but it doesn't sound good," Ava replied, her heart pounding in her chest.

Suddenly, a dark shape emerged from the shadows, moving swiftly toward them. Ava's grip tightened on the frying pan as she prepared to defend herself.

"Get back!" Ethan shouted, stepping in front of Ava and the others.

But as the figure came into the moonlight, they all froze, realizing it was a large wolf, its eyes glinting with curiosity rather than aggression.

"Oh thank god," Lisa breathed, her body relaxing. "It's just a wolf."

The animal paused, its gaze locking onto Ava's. She felt a strange connection, an understanding that transcended words. The wolf tilted its head, studying them, and for a moment, Ava felt an odd sense of calm wash over her.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, her fear momentarily forgotten.

Ethan glanced at her, his expression softening. "It's just a wild animal, Ava. We need to be careful."

Before she could respond, the wolf turned and disappeared back into the trees, leaving them standing in stunned silence.

"That was... unexpected," David said, shaking his head. "But it's a good sign, right? Nature doesn't usually come around if it senses danger."

"Maybe," Ethan said, though his gaze was still focused on the trees. "But we can't let our guard down. This isn't over."

They returned inside, tension still hanging in the air as they settled back into their barricaded sanctuary. Ava felt a mixture of relief and unease as she leaned against the wall, her heart still racing from the encounter.

"Let's keep watch," Ethan suggested, moving to the window again. "We need to be ready for anything."

As the night wore on, they took turns keeping watch, their camaraderie solidifying as they shared stories and memories to distract from the weight of their fears. They were united in their resolve to protect one another, their bond deepening even in the face of danger.

But as the hours passed, the threat of Marcus loomed larger than ever. Ava couldn't shake the feeling that they were just beginning to scratch the surface of a much darker reality.