Ethan Mark: Billionaire in Disguise

6. Alexander and Victoria.

 

Still surprised at the drastic turn of events, like shit poured on his face, Ethan waited at the hospital entrance, hoping Isabella could come back and tell him that whatever had happened was not real and perhaps it was only a prank.

At 8 a.m. in the morning, Isabella was nowhere to be found. The security guards who had thrown him out of the hospital still lingered at the entrance, eyeing him with hostility and making it clear that if he dared to enter the hospital again, he would face physical harm and imprisonment.

Ethan understood the hostile looks from the security guards, which is why he didn't attempt anything foolish. Instead, he continued trying Isabella's cellphone, but all his attempts were in vain, except for her voicemail playing in his ear.

"Hi, this is Isabella Rosewood. I’m sorry, but I’m unable to take your call at this moment. If you're hearing this, it means that I'm either busy or unavailable. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you!"

"Hey, it's me again. I'm trying to reach you for the tenth time now. I know you're still mad at me for everything that happened. But I can make things right. I have the money now, Isabella. Our daughter will finally get better, and everything can go back to normal. Please call me as soon as you get this message. I love you, Isabella."

From morning until evening, Ethan didn't leave the hospital's entrance. He sat on the steps leading up to the hospital's door, enduring the scorching sun like a blazing fire. His reddened eyes and sweaty appearance were evidence of his exhaustion. Nonetheless, he wouldn't return home until he had everything sorted out.

"I should go to her father. He should be able to hear me out and calm his daughter down. Finally, things can go back to normal, and we can all be happy again," Ethan muttered, gathering himself to his feet and heading towards the beach house.

Arriving at the beach house's gate, Ethan let out a deep sigh. His clothes were soaked in sweat, and his eyes were even redder than before.

Suddenly, his stomach grumbled like that of a pitiable beggar. He hadn't eaten anything since he left home for the hospital. All the money he had on him was meant for his daughter's surgery, and he wouldn't play games with her life.

He gently placed his hands on his stomach and glanced at the beach house once again. It was a breathtaking view, like the palace of the Queen of England, guarded with security at every corner.

Each security guard was dressed in a black suit and wore a black sunshade, even in the evening. This reminded Ethan of his father's mansion in Eldridge, which was always heavily guarded. As a young child, he would often ask his father the reason behind the tight security, but he knew nothing about the threat of invasion. His father would simply smile and tell him that those people were paid to protect them.

"Maybe I was too hard on my father. If I want Isabel to forgive me, I should also forgive my father, so that his soul may rest in peace," Ethan thought. He quickly took out his phone and sent a message to Mr. Smith.

"I am ready to visit his grave," he texted, returning the phone to his pocket.

As he approached the gate, he was stopped by the security guard. "I'm here to see Mr. Alexander Rosewood. I'm Ethan, his daughter's husband," Ethan introduced himself.

Without saying a word, the security guard scrutinized him from head to toe, as if a pauper were inspecting a beggar. He then took out his cellphone and made a call.

"Hello, sir. There is a visitor requesting to see you. He said his name is um, um."

"Ethan!" Ethan reminded him, leaning forward as he noticed the security guard had already forgotten his name.

"Ethan. He said he is the husband of your daughter, sir," the security officer said.

Although the security guard still had the phone to his ear, he remained silent. After about a minute, he finally said, "Yes, sir. I will let him in now," he said, ending the call.

The gate opened for Ethan, and the security guard nodded, signaling for him to enter the compound. As he stepped inside, another security guard approached him and gestured with his hand, guiding Ethan in the right direction.

"I will be the one taking you to the master," he said, bowing his head and motioning towards a security patrol vehicle.

Observing the vehicle, which moved silently like a ghost through the vast compound, Ethan was reminded of the similar vehicles his father's security team used to have. They were always patrolling and monitoring the entire premises to ensure their boss's safety.

Upon arriving at the entrance door of the beach house, the security guard dropped him off and drove away without a word. However, Ethan already knew what to do. He stood a short distance from the door, taking another deep breath.

Even before touching the door, he heard a chime from inside, like a welcoming melody. Slowly and cautiously, he stepped inside the house.

The sound of background music filled the house, and his eyes beheld luxurious interiors in shades of gold and brown. These interiors also reminded him of home, and once again, he took a deep breath and continued walking.

Alexander Rosewood was already at the dining table, cutting an apple with one of his golden knives. As Ethan approached him, he introduced himself once more.

"I am Ethan Mark, sir. I am the husband of your daughter, Isabella."

"Do you mean you're the pauper who forced my daughter to marry you without my consent?" he asked, calmly halting his actions and placing a small piece of apple into his mouth.

"I... I... I never forced your daughter, sir. We... we... we love each other, and we got married," Ethan stammered, unsure of the right words to say as he had been falsely accused.