Ethan's Desire.

Twenty-three

Venus Cavannaugh.

  My body ached after laying on the floor for several minutes due to the attack I suffered from Liam, my breakdown had been in front of my daughter who stood by my side throughout the ordeal.

  Her arms still wrapped around me on the living room floor. A ding rang from the doorbell.

  Marie lifted up her head in familiarity, she stood up, rushed to the door and just drew it open as if knowing who was on the other side.

  His dark figure entered in before I could feel his presence.

"Where is she?". He asked Marie who just pointed to the floor where I still sat.

  My eyes gazed at him in disbelief, it's been weeks since I last saw him. The air sizzled and sparks flew just from the telepathic connection his deep blue eyes seem to project.

  I'm sure my eyes were red and puffy from crying too much, my hair flying in all directions, my dress rumpled and squeezed but I didn't care, Ethan is here.

  Despite my consistent absence, pushing him away, he still came to my rescue.

"Mom, I hope you're not mad, I called uncle Ethan". Marie said looking at her toes unable to meet my gaze.

"Marie come here". I called out to her. She walked towards me and I held her in my arms. "It's fine sweetie". I smiled at her tearing my gaze and placing them back at him.

  His hands were fisted at his sides so hard making his knuckles deathly white, his facial expression angry and but hurt at the same time.

I realized that my eyes became blurry, furiously I wiped my cheeks devoid of any oncoming tears. With difficulty, I tried to stand up to face him.

"Ethan thanks for coming but....."

  He took long strides across the room and immediately as soon as he reached me, he swept me in his arms and carried me in bridal style.

"Marie stay here, let me go drop your mom in her room, she's not feeling well, okay?". He instructed her, she humbly nodded and he started walking towards the stairs.

"Ethan I'm fine". I managed to croak out after crying for so long.

But instead he gave me a stern glare that seem to say 'don't think about it'.

I shut my mouth and leaned my head on his shoulders, closing my eyes as he ascended the stairs. He kicked the door to the bedroom open.

His eyes surveyed the room trying to take  in our last memory here. He walked towards the large king sized bed and he layed me down to sit on it.

"Stay here, I'll go get you water to drink". He stood up ready to go but I held on to his hand desperately so he won't leave.

"Don't go, please". I whispered the last part still hesitant at his reaction and ashamed for what I did to him.

Thinking he would leave, instead, he knelt down and hugged me tightly in his arms.

He released me and used his large hand to clutch my face gently. His eyes glanced at lying bruise on my cheek. I flinched lightly as his thumb traced my cheek gently. He gave me a remorse look and placed his hand down.

Immediately, I reached out my hand to cover it but he took my hand away with his own. I looked up to meet his endearing gaze, my lips quivered, unshed tears threatening to fall.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry Ethan, I....." I tried to apologize.

He shushed me and leaned his forehead against mine.

"I'm sorry for not coming sooner. If I knew he was such a douchebag, I wouldn't have listened to you, I should have been here, with you".

"Shh". I silenced him tenderly holding his face in my hands. I could feel the short growing stubble of his chin. "It was my fault, I should have seen that my marriage was going no where and should have ended it sooner but I didn't realise that he would have cheated on me much less already have another family standby. I'm sorry for pushing you away when I needed you the most". My emotions flooding out.

  The door creaked loudly and we both turned and saw Marie hanging on to the handle. I opened out my arms for her and she ran into the bed and held me tightly.

"It's okay baby". I mummured into her hair and placed a chaste kiss on her.

"I don't know what I'm gonna do now, I've depended on Liam for so long, I quit my job so he could provide, I don't know what to do Ethan". I broke down.

  Instead he held onto the both of us and rested his head on mine,
"You're gonna be fine, I'm going to be here for you and Marie, no matter what I won't leave you alone, I promise".

"Ethan you don't have to please". I reasoned.

"No, I'm not leaving you again. Okay?".

  I just nodded in silence and held my daughter tighter to my chest. No matter what I would always put her first, I knew that whatever tactic Liam was going to use, he would want Marie to come over to him but I wouldn't let him unless she wishes to see her father.

  In all my years of marriage to Liam, I couldn't believe that he could stoop so low as to two-time two different women.

If only Katherine knew who he truly was, in any way I can, I will make sure I stop him from doing this to her and any other woman too.

He must be put to a stop at all cost. The shock of his betrayal still shakes me to my very core even till this moment, every month I spent in loneliness crying and waiting for his return was being spent in the arms of another woman.

That nauseating feeling came back again but I can't afford to lose myself again. Ethan is here and so is my daughter.

I can start all over again.

* * * * * * * * * *

Stay safe everyone, this virus is making everywhere unhealthy.

Wash your hands and use a hand sanitizer.

Three feet and no personal contact.

Bye,
Ugo Tory.