How could I not panic? These days without Ethan had made one thing painfully clear: without him, I was nothing. The realization only strengthened my resolve to hold onto him more tightly


    than ever.


    The sound of a car engine outside pulled me from my thoughts. I rushed to the balcony, my heart leaping when I recognized Ethan''s Shadow Ghost pulling into the driveway.


    "Emma!" I called, my voice carefully modted to sound worried rather than relieved. "Daddy''s


    here!"


    < Chapter 116 Lily''s Kidney


    Emma came running from her yroom, her little face lighting up at the news. I quickly


    pinched her arm when she reached me.


    "Ow! Mommy, that hurts!" she whimpered, her eyes filling with tears.


    +15 Points


    "Perfect," I whispered, smoothing her hair. "Keep crying. Tell Daddy we were worried about


    him."


    The front door opened, and I guided Emma forward to greet Ethan.


    Emma rushed over to him, her eyes red and wet, and hugged his leg tightly. "Daddy, Mommy


    couldn''t reach you. Mommy and Emmy were so worried about you!"


    I watched carefully, waiting for Ethan''s reaction. In the past, seeing Emma''s tears would have


    made his heart ache. He would have immediately picked her up, kissed her little face, andforted her softly.


    But something was different. Ethan stood stiffly, looking down at Emma with an expression I


    couldn''t quite read. He didn''t bend down to pick her up. He simply patted her head and said,


    "Emma, go ask Mrs. Lawson to take you to the Recreation Area for a while. I need to talk to


    your mother."


    Emma sensed the change in his attitude and began to pout, preparing for one of her


    trademark tantrums.


    "Go," Ethan said, his voice firm and cold.


    Emma immediately let go of his leg, frightened by his tone. This was the first time Ethan had


    ever been so stern with her.


    I touched Emma''s head gently. "Listen to your daddy," I said, my mind racing to understand what had changed.


    Emma turned and ran to the Servants'' Quarters to find Dorothy Lawson. The housekeeper appeared quickly, taking Emma''s hand and leading her away, leaving Ethan and me alone in


    the vi.