Chapter 76
Ethan navigated the bustling hospital corridors, heading to thest floor, despite the need to leave, he
felt reluctant.
He headed for the parking lot where Axel waited for him.
As he stepped into the parking lot, he spotted Axel awaiting him with the car. The sun, in its descent,
painted the sky with hues of amber and rose. Ethan, standing beside the car, couldn’t help but cast his
eyes upwards, staring up at the floor Hazel was
“To the office or…?” Axel queried, breaking the silence that hung in the air.
Ethan stood there for a moment, casting a lingering gaze back at the hospital building. “Drive home,”
Ethan finally said, his eyes reluctantly detaching from the building as he settled into the backseat of the
car, his thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. The rearview mirror captured a reflection of his contemtive
expression as Axel steered them away from the hospital.
Ethan’s mind clung to the image of Hazel’s tear–filled eyes, their haunting expression. lingering like an
unanswered question. Her tears spoke volumes, revealing a vulnerability that resonated deeply within
him. She had cried when he assured her she wasn’t alone, and the weight of her emotional journey
became palpable.
The revtion that Liam and Daisy’s father had abandoned them, not wanting anything to do with them
stoked a fiery indignation within Ethan. He couldn’t fathom how anyone could turn away from such
wonderful children. The absent father seemed oblivious to the joy,ughter, and innocence he was
missing out on. Ethan smiled a little recalling the times. spent with the kids.
He was a massive jerk, Ethan concluded inwardly, his thoughts swirling in a maelstrom of empathy and
frustration.
But how did Hazel find herself entangled with a married man?” Ethan pondered aloud. “Huh?” Axel
responded, his confusion evident in the abrupt interruption of the reflective silence that had settled in
the car.
It felt incongruent, out of character with the Hazel he knew. The notion of her having an affair appeared
as a stark contrast to the woman he had known for years. The very idea of her willingly indulging in the
act of infidelity, having an affair with a married man, seemed imusible.
“The man must have deceived her,” Ethan concluded with a heavy sigh, refusing to entertain the notion
that Hazel could willingly be part of such.
“There’s no way Hazel knew and cheated with a married man. She isn’t that kind of woman.” he
affirmed, his conviction unwavering. The image of the deceptive man fueled a surge of protective anger
within him, and had him clenching his fist,
“Is something wrong?” Axel probed, the concern evident in his voice as he nced at Ethan through
the rearview mirror.
What Ethan replied, still lost in his thoughts, the weight of Hazel’s revtion upying his mind.
You said Hazel got entangled with a married man?” Axel inquired.
Yes Ethan admitted with a conflicted sigh: “She admitted that Nathan, the man from the airport, in
Liam’s and Daisy’s father. The actual father is some man who wants nothing to
do with them. And, toplicate matters, he happens to be married.”
Axel fell into a contemtive silence, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.
That’s still not enough, being married and acting like your kids don’t exist,” Ethan sighed in
exasperation.
“He wants nothing to do with them?” Axel probed.
“Yes. Ethan replied
“She’s been alone. Just her and her kids.” He stated with a sigh.
“And with Daisy so sick, it must have been hard for her.”
“You want me to look into him? Axel offered
No,” Ethan said, reclining back and closing his eyes.
“She wouldn’t like that. I admitted looking into Nathan she wasn’t pleased. If she ever finds out, she
wouldn’t forgive me. Besides, he wants nothing to do with them, so ‘it’s no use,” Ethan stated, his voice
carrying the weight of a decision forged by respect for Hazel’s boundaries.
“What now?” Axel asked, his curiosity echoing the uncharted territory thaty ahead. Ethan fell silent
for some moments, his gaze lost in the recesses of his own thoughts. The truth was, Hazel’s revtion
changed nothing about how he felt for them. If anything, it fueled a determination to ensure they never
felt alone.
“It changes nothing, actually. It doesn’t change how I feel about them. Instead, it made me want to get
even closer to her, to be someone she can rely on when she needs. And her kids,” Ethan
chuckled lightly, the warmth of affection evident in his voice. “They’vepletely taken over a ce in
my heart, you know? So, I will just let things be, doing whatever I can to make them happy.”
“Is that appropriate?” Axel asked as they pulled into the driveway, the practicality of the situation
settling in.
“She’s your ex–wife. How would Be react to it Axel questioned realistically, his voice carrying the
weight of potentialplications that lingered. Ethan hadn’t even considered. or thought thought
through.
“I don’t know. When ites to those kids, I lose all rationality. I’ve never loved anyone as much as
Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.
those two little creatures. I can’t just step out and act like they don’t exist, or like they don’t have an
impact,” Ethan stated honestly, the sincerity in his voice echoing the profound connection he felt with
Liam and Daisy.
“And Be?” Axel probed once more, turning off the engines.
Ethan had delved into his feelings for Hazel and her children, but the mention of his spouse introduced
aplexyer to the narrative.
Ethan exited the car, sidestepping Axel’s probing questions about his wife. His silence, a deliberate
evasion, spoke volumes, a tacit acknowledgment that he hadn’t considered Be. or thought of Be,
and, truthfully, he didn’t care
“How’s the progress with the school?” Ethan asked instead.
It’sing along well. By next month, it should be ready for use,” Axel replied.
“Okay, Ethan nodded, a sense of satisfaction settling in.
For the meantime, while waiting,we need to get teachers or volunteers that would work there Ethan
stated, his mind already strategizing for the next phase.
“That’s really easy. I’m already on it. Getting kindergarten teachers or volunteers is the easiest part of
this so far,” Axel reassured. Ethan was really involved in this project.
With a nod, Ethan turned and headed inside. The familiar sounds of home enveloped him, but amidst
the tranquility, the echo of Be’s yelling voice reached his ears. Initially inclined to dismiss it, assuming
she was yelling at one of the maids as usual, but something in her tone caught his attention. He
paused, the air thickening with a sense of tension, and then he stalked off with purpose toward the door
of her study.