Whispers of the Heart

Breaking the Mask

Chapter 38: Breaking the Mask

The smell of salt and rust clung to the air, and the gentle slosh of water against the dock pilings was the only sound that cut through the silence. Ethan remained in the shadows, his breath steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. He had Dominic cornered in a way that was far more effective than fists or threats—he had the truth.

The glow of his phone screen illuminated his face briefly as he checked the recording. Every word Dominic had said to Lila was captured, from his veiled threats to his confession of wanting Ethan "removed."

Gotcha.

Dominic still had his back to Ethan, but his tone had shifted from charming manipulation to menacing determination. "You don't get it, Lila. If you want to be with me, you can't keep holding on to Ethan like some safety net."

Lila's voice was tight, wavering between anger and fear. "I never asked you to—"

Dominic cut her off, grabbing her shoulders. His grip wasn't tender this time; it was commanding, suffocating. "You did, without saying a word. Every time you run back to him to cover your tracks, you make me the bad guy. That stops tonight."

Lila's body tensed, and Ethan saw her try to step back, but Dominic held her in place.

Ethan Makes His Move

Ethan couldn't stay hidden any longer. The sight of Dominic gripping Lila so tightly ignited a fury he could no longer contain.

"Let her go," Ethan said, his voice low and steady, cutting through the stillness like a blade.

Dominic turned sharply, his face a mask of surprise that quickly morphed into something darker. "Ethan," he said, his lips curling into a sneer. "How predictable."

Lila froze, her wide eyes darting between the two men. "Ethan, what are you doing here?"

Ethan stepped forward, his movements deliberate, his eyes locked on Dominic. "Making sure this ends tonight."

Dominic laughed, a cold, humorless sound that echoed across the water. "You think you can stop me? You're out of your depth, Ethan."

Ethan's calm demeanor didn't falter. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, holding it up so Dominic could see the screen. The playback of Dominic's confession filled the air, each word sharper and more damning than the last.

Dominic's face paled, the mask of arrogance slipping for a brief moment. Then, he lunged toward Ethan, but Ethan was ready. He sidestepped, letting Dominic stumble forward before shoving him against one of the dock pilings.

"You don't scare me, Dominic," Ethan said, his voice low and venomous. "But maybe the police will find you more interesting."

Dominic's eyes flicked to Lila, searching for support, but she took a step back, shaking her head. For the first time, Dominic looked truly alone.

The Breaking Point

But Dominic wasn't done. He straightened, his breath ragged, and turned back to Ethan with a dangerous glint in his eye. "You think this is over? You think you can just waltz in and play the hero?"

Dominic's voice rose, and he stepped closer, forcing Ethan to hold his ground. "You don't understand what it's like to take what you want, Ethan. You've spent your whole life as a doormat, letting people walk all over you. Lila doesn't want you—she's just too weak to admit it."

Ethan's jaw tightened, but he didn't rise to the bait.

Lila, however, snapped. "Stop it, Dominic!" she shouted, her voice breaking. "You don't get to do this. Not to him. Not to me."

Dominic turned to her, his expression softening briefly. "Lila, I'm doing this for us. Can't you see that?"

She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "No, Dominic. You're doing this for yourself. And I'm done."

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.

Dominic's Descent

Dominic's face twisted in fury, and he grabbed Lila's arm. "You don't mean that," he hissed. "You can't leave me. You're mine."

Ethan stepped forward again, his fists clenched. "Let her go, Dominic. Now."

Dominic's laugh was wild, unhinged. "And what are you going to do about it? You're not a killer, Ethan. You're weak. You always have been."

Ethan stared him down, his voice cold. "Try me."

Dominic's grip on Lila faltered, and she pulled away, stumbling back toward Ethan. Dominic looked between them, his chest heaving, and for the first time, there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

A Sudden Twist

Before anyone could react, the sound of footsteps echoed down the dock. Tessa emerged from the shadows, her face set in grim determination.

"Thought you might need some backup," she said, her eyes meeting Ethan's briefly before landing on Dominic.

Dominic smirked, though the confidence didn't reach his eyes. "Oh, great. Another one of Ethan's little pets."

Tessa didn't flinch. She stepped closer, her voice steady. "You've underestimated him, Dominic. And me."

Ethan glanced at her, confusion and gratitude mingling on his face. "Tessa, what are you—"

She cut him off, pulling a small device from her pocket and holding it up. "The police are already on their way. I've been recording this whole thing."

Dominic's face darkened, and for a moment, it looked like he might lash out. But then the sound of sirens pierced the night, and his shoulders sagged.

"You haven't won," he muttered, his eyes narrowing at Ethan. "This isn't over."

Ethan stepped forward, his voice firm. "Oh, it's over, Dominic. For good."

Cliffhanger

As the flashing lights of police cars lit up the dock, Dominic was led away in handcuffs. Ethan turned to Lila, who was trembling, her face a mixture of relief and shame.

"You need to decide what you want," Ethan said quietly, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "Because I'm done chasing ghosts."

Before Lila could respond, Ethan walked away, Tessa falling into step beside him.

But as they reached the edge of the dock, Ethan's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his face darkening.

The message was simple:

You think this ends with Dominic? Think again.

Ethan's blood ran cold. The battle might be over, but the war was far from won.