Chapter 169:

Three weeks later:

Ethan felt a smile slowly spread across his lips as he got up from his bed and walked into the bathroom. His steps were light, and he couldn’t help but hum softly, his mind swirling with feelings of pure joy and relief.

It had been three long weeks since he had managed to rescue his mother from the clutches of Gideon, Samuel, and Nick.

The memory of that night still lingered, but the sense of triumph overpowered the fear. So far, there had been no signs that any of them would come after him.

It seemed, at least for now, that he and his mother were safe, and that thought filled him with a comfort he hadn't felt in a long time.

To Ethan, they were too scared to make another silly and daunting move towards him, but Ethan didn't care. As long as he had his mother, everything was fine; everything was okay to him.

“Ethan? Breakfast is ready!” His mother's voice echoed through the expanse of the house as she prepared the table for their meal.

“Coming, Mom!” Ethan respon