Chapter 4

 Ethan wandered along the main street, his steps heavy and aimless. The bustling city around him blurred into a haze of lights and noise, but he barely noticed. His mind was consumed by the memory of his father’s voice in his dream, filled with disappointment and disapproval.

“Why, Father?” he muttered to himself, kicking a pebble down the pavement. “Why did you believe in me when I’ve done nothing but fail?”

The words echoed in his head, mingling with the fresh sting of rejection from Rebecca. She hadn’t said much when she dismissed him, but her silence had spoken volumes. He sighed, feeling the weight of his entire life pressing down on him.

“What am I supposed to do now?” he whispered, his voice lost in the evening breeze.

Suddenly, the screech of tires broke through his thoughts. A sleek Bentley pulled up sharply in front of him, blocking his path. Ethan’s heart skipped a beat as the car door swung open and several men in black suits stepped out, their expressions stern.

“Mr. Ethan,” the lead bodyguard said, his voice clipped and professional. “Miss Rebecca has asked us to bring you back.”

Ethan’s stomach twisted with a mix of fear and resignation. “Did she say why?”

The bodyguard’s eyes were unreadable behind his sunglasses. “She wants to see you. That’s all I know.”

Ethan nodded slowly, a sense of inevitability washing over him. “Alright. Let’s go.”

The bodyguards exchanged surprised glances but said nothing as they guided Ethan into the car. The ride was silent, the air thick with unspoken tension. Ethan stared out the window, his mind racing with possibilities. Was she angry with him? Did she regret letting him try to help? He braced himself for whatever consequences awaited.

When they arrived at Rebecca’s estate, the bodyguards roughly pulled him from the car, practically dragging him up the steps. Ethan winced as his arm was twisted uncomfortably, but he kept his mouth shut. He didn’t want to make things worse.

As they entered the grand foyer, Rebecca stood at the top of the staircase, her face set in a hard line. Her eyes flashed with irritation as she took in the scene.

“What is this?” she demanded, her voice icy. “I told you to bring him back, not assault him.”

The bodyguard holding Ethan hesitated, clearly caught off guard by her anger. “Miss Rebecca, we thought—”

“Enough,” she snapped, descending the stairs swiftly. “Let go of him. Now.”

The bodyguard released Ethan immediately, stepping back with his head bowed. “I’m sorry, Miss Rebecca. It won’t happen again.”

Rebecca’s gaze softened slightly as she looked at Ethan, who was rubbing his sore arm. “Are you alright?”

Ethan nodded, though his heart was still pounding. “I’m fine. Really.”

Rebecca turned to the bodyguard, her expression stern. “Apologize.”

The man looked up, surprise flickering across his face before he bowed deeply. “I apologize, Mr. Ethan. It was a misunderstanding.”

Ethan, still processing the whirlwind of emotions, managed a faint smile. “It’s okay. No harm done.”

Rebecca’s eyes remained on him for a moment longer, assessing, before she turned back to the bodyguards. “Leave us.”

The men filed out silently, and the tension in the room eased slightly. Rebecca motioned for Ethan to follow her into a sitting room. She poured two glasses of wine and handed one to him.

“Please, sit,” she said, her voice softer now. “I didn’t mean to have you dragged here like a criminal.”

Ethan sat down, still wary. “Why did you want to see me?”

Rebecca took a sip of her wine, her eyes never leaving his. “I wanted to tell you that your treatment worked.”

Ethan’s eyes widened. “It did?”

She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “Yes. I was skeptical at first, but whatever you did... it worked. I can breathe more easily now than I have in years.”

Ethan felt a surge of relief and joy, his hands trembling slightly as he held the glass. “I… I can’t believe it.”

“You should.” Rebecca’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “You did something no other doctor could. I’m impressed, Ethan.”

He laughed, the sound bubbling up from deep within him. “I guess that means I’m not completely useless after all.”

Rebecca’s smile faded slightly, her gaze turning thoughtful. “I’ve looked into your past, you know. It doesn’t make sense to me. How could someone with your abilities live such an unremarkable life?”

Ethan’s laughter died in his throat, replaced by a pang of anxiety. “I… It’s complicated.”

“Try me,” Rebecca urged, leaning forward slightly. “I want to understand.”

Ethan hesitated, searching for the right words. How could he explain the dream, the sudden influx of knowledge? It sounded ridiculous, even to him.

“I’ve always been… ordinary,” he said slowly. “But recently, things have changed. I had this dream, and in it, my father… he taught me things. Strange things. I woke up with knowledge I can’t explain.”

Rebecca’s eyebrows shot up. “A dream? You’re saying you learned to heal me from a dream?”

Ethan shrugged helplessly. “I know how it sounds. But it’s the truth.”

Rebecca studied him for a long moment, then laughed softly. “You’re either very honest or a very good liar.”

“I’m not lying,” Ethan said earnestly. “I swear.”

She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “You’re an enigma, Ethan. I like that.”

He flushed under her gaze. “I just want to help people, Rebecca. I don’t need anything in return.”

Rebecca leaned back, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “Most people would have asked for something. Money, connections, anything. But not you.”

“I’m not most people,” Ethan replied quietly.

“No, you’re not,” she agreed, her voice soft. “And that’s why I’m willing to help you.”

Ethan blinked, caught off guard. “Help me?”

Rebecca nodded. “I can give you the resources to explore these abilities of yours, to learn more. But only if you’re willing to accept it.”

Ethan shook his head slowly, his heart pounding. “I appreciate the offer, but I can’t accept. Not without earning it.”

Rebecca’s smile widened, genuine admiration in her eyes. “You really are something, Ethan. Most men would have jumped at the opportunity.”

He laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment.”

“It is,” she assured him, her voice warm. “I think my grandfather was right about you.”

Ethan felt a swell of emotion at her words, but before he could respond, his phone buzzed loudly in his pocket. He pulled it out, his heart sinking when he saw the name on the screen: Lauren.

Rebecca noticed his change in demeanor and raised an eyebrow. “Who is it?”

“It’s… my wife,” Ethan muttered, the word tasting bitter on his tongue. He answered the call reluctantly. “Hello?”

“Ethan,” Lauren’s voice was cold, condescending. “It’s time for you to sign the divorce papers. I’m not going to wait forever.”

Ethan clenched his jaw, his knuckles whitening around the phone. “Lauren, I—”

“Save it,” she snapped. “Brandon is already talking to his lawyer. If you don’t sign, you’ll regret it.”

Ethan’s eyes burned with anger and frustration, but he kept his voice steady. “I’ll be there soon.”

“Good,” Lauren said curtly. “Don’t make me wait.”

The line went dead, and Ethan let out a shuddering breath, his entire body tense. Rebecca watched him, concern flickering across her face.

“Divorce?” she asked gently.

Ethan nodded, his throat tight. “Yeah. She wants to finalize it.”

Rebecca reached out and placed a hand on his arm, her touch warm and comforting. “I’m sorry, Ethan.”

He shook his head, forcing a weak smile. “It’s for the best. I need to let go.”

Rebecca hesitated, then squeezed his arm lightly. “Do you want me to come with you?”

Ethan looked up, surprised. “You don’t have to. It’s a personal matter.”

“I know,” she said softly. “But you shouldn’t have to face it alone.”

He opened his mouth to refuse, but something in her eyes stopped him. Instead, he nodded slowly. “Thank you, Rebecca.”

She smiled, her eyes shining with determination. “Let’s go.”

As they stood to leave, her secretary appeared at the door, looking flustered. “Miss Rebecca, the Governor and the Chief of the River City Region are waiting for you. They’ve been here for over an hour.”

Rebecca waved him off. “Tell them to reschedule. I have more important matters to attend to.”

The secretary’s eyes widened, but he nodded quickly and disappeared down the hallway. Ethan stared at her in disbelief. “You’re blowing off the Governor? For me?”

Rebecca shrugged, her smile teasing. “I have my priorities, Ethan. Let’s get this over with.”

The drive to the Lauren residence was tense, neither of them speaking. When they arrived, Ethan hesitated before opening the car door. He turned to Rebecca, his voice uncertain. “Thank you for coming, but you don’t have to go inside.”

Rebecca arched an eyebrow. “You think I’d let you face them alone? Come on, Ethan.”

She stepped out of the car, her confidence radiating off her in waves. Ethan followed, feeling a mix of gratitude and apprehension. As they approached the front door, he glanced at her, his voice barely a whisper.

“Why are you doing this?”

Rebecca looked at him, her eyes softening. “Because I believe in you, Ethan. And I want to see how this story ends.”

Ethan took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. With Rebecca by his side, he felt a surge of courage he hadn’t known he possessed.

Together, they stepped up to the front door, the future uncertain but filled with possibilities.