Chapter 106


    “Why are you here?” Nathan’s voice sliced through the air as he confronted Ethan on the other side of


    the ward door.


    An hour had psed since Ethan’s initial departure, he had gone to wrap up his role at the event. But


    he felt restless, an insistent need propelled him to return and check on the well-being of the twins.


    A frown etched itself on Ethan’s features upon meeting Nathan at the door.


    The frown deepened with the questions he was being asked.


    Tension between them thickened.


    Why’s this man still here, and with that attitude. Ethan wondered feeling pis sed with the other man’s


    probing.


    Ethan’s irritation seeped through his words as he retorted, “Step out of the way, I’m not here for you.”


    Nathan, undeterred, maintained his defensive posture, suggesting Ethan should head home.


    “Go home, Ethan,” Nathan persisted, arms crossed defiantly, as if guarding an invisible boundary.


    Ethan’s frustration simmered, teeth gritted, and he issued a tersemand, “Out of my way.”


    “Nathan, who’s that?”


    From inside, Hazel’s voice cut through the tension, grabbing Ethan’s attention.


    Nathan, attempting to handle the situation, offered, “I’ll take care of it, Hazel.”


    However, she approached the door. The noise had piqued her curiosity, and she ventured out to check.


    Ethan’s demeanor shifted when he saw Hazel, his gaze softening. “Hazel,” he called softly, a note of


    remorse in his voice.


    As Ethan began exining, “Hazel, I’m really sorry about earlier. I put Be in her ce and told her to


    go home, and then…” Hazel, worn out and drained, interjected, “Why are you here, Ethan?”


    Nathan assured her, “He was about leaving.”


    “I needed to be sure they’re okay,” Ethan exined, his plea evident in his eyes. “Can I see them?” he


    implored.


    A firm “No” echoed from Nathan, maintaining his protective stance.


    “Step out of the way, would you?” Ethan’s frustrationced his words, the tension palpable. Nathan,


    unwavering, stepped forward, delivering a firm suggestion, “It’s best you leave.”


    Hazel, stepping in to defuse the escting confrontation, intervened, “Nathan, it’s okay. I’ll take care of


    it.” Her request to Nathan was a subtle attempt to usher him away. “Can you get us some yogurt from


    the drink dispenser downstairs?” Hazel pleaded, her eyes signaling her desire for Nathan to leave.


    Nathan, torn between protecting Hazel and confronting Ethan, looked at Ethan with a firm resolve,


    dering, “No, I won’t leave


    you here with him.” Despite Hazel’s plea, Nathan was hesitant to abandon her side.


    I’ll be fine, just go,” Hazel urged, her voice a mixture of persuasion and assurance. Nathan sighed,


    finallyplying with her request. As he passed by the door, a deliberate shoulder brush with Ethan


    attempted to convey his disapproval.


    “I was really surprised when I saw what Be had done. Hazel, I’m so sorry, Ethan pleaded, his regret


    audible. “I didn’t know she had hurt them; when I came in, it was already toote. He exined,


    seeking understanding from Hazel, who remained contemtive and silent.


    “How are they? Can I see them?” Ethan inquired, a genuine concern etched on his face. All he wanted


    was to be with them, he desperately wanted to hug andfort their little bodies.


    Hazel, however, remained firm. “I don’t want you to. You shouldn’t be here; it’ste.”


    “Hazel, please, are they okay?” Ethan persisted, his worry deepening.


    “They’re fine, they’re just asleep,” she assured, but her gaze avoided meeting his.


    Ethan tried to meet her eyes but she kept looking elsewhere avoiding eye contact


    “Look at me, please,” he pleaded within, desperately seeking connection. Hazel’s gaze finally shifted,


    but it wasn’t towards his face. Instead, she noticed something by the side, the ce where she had


    scratched Ethan earlier. To her surprise, the small injury hadn’t healed as expected.


    The sight puzzled her. It was a minor scratch from their earlier confrontation, something that should


    have healed within minutes. Yet, the mark lingered, barely covered.


    “Are you okay?” Hazel inquired, her brows furrowing with concern. Instinctively, her hand reached


    toward his arm to check the wound, but midway, she pulled back, holding her arm in ce.


    “Thurt you earlier. Are you okay?” she asked, avoiding direct


    eye contact.


    “Yes,” Ethan replied, a sense of relief washing over him. Hazel’s emotions were a mix of upset and


    anger, but beneath it, a lingering care still existed. seizing the opportunity, he decided to take a step


    further.


    “Could 1 maybe get some water?” he asked, purposely making his voice h oa rse and then clearing his


    throat dramatically.


    “Okay,” she replied, turning around and walking inside.


    Taking advantage of the moment, Ethan quietly stepped inside the ward. As Hazel fetched the ss of


    water from the fridge, Ethan made his way directly to where the twins were peacefully sleeping.


    When Hazel returned she found Ethan standing over the kids.


    His gaze particrly fixed on Daisy’s bruised cheek. His hand reached out, stroking it tenderly, and she


    observed as he swallowed hard. The sight of the kids in pain clearly affected him deeply, his fists


    clenching and then unclenching. He threw his head back, running his hand through his hair, she


    watched him, knowing him well, it was a tell-tale sign he felt frustrated and helpless.


    Her expression softened as she watched him. His attention then shifted to Liam, a small, tender smile


    forming on his face as he gazed at the sleeping boy.


    “Brave boy,” Ethan mumbled, his admiration evident as he observed Liam. Memories flooded back to


    their first meeting at the airport, where the young boy had bravely confronted him in defense of his


    sister.


    A smile yed on Ethan’s l*ps, recognizing the incredible journey they had shared since that day.


    Reflecting on the unexpected impact these children had on his life, his gaze softened even further.


    Just as Ethan immersed himself in these thoughts, Hazel unintentionally announced her presence by


    dropping the ss, drawing both of their attention.


    That’s one brave little guy you got there.” He stated with a small smile.


    Hazel couldn’t help but smile.


    Earlier when Liam’s bruise was being looked after,


    She had asked him if it hurt but he had similed and said if was his bruise of honor from protecting his


    sister.


    “I’m the man of the family.” He stated,


    Hazelughed, tears streaming from her eyes.


    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    “I’ll protect you too mom.” He said proudly stroking her face and cleaning her eyes.


    Liam was indeed brave.


    Hazel’s smile held a warmth that hadn’t been there before.


    “I watched the security footage. I felt really proud, the way heunched himself right at Be’s arm.”


    Ethan chuckled.


    “Then he took a huge bite of it.”


    Now they were bothughing now


    “That was really something,” he added, theughter fading but leaving behind a sense of togetherness


    between them.


    30%B


    The dim light in the room highlighted the shadows on Ethan’s face, casting an intriguing y of


    emotions as he shared this unexpected bonding moment with Hazel.


    Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, unspoken words hung in the air. The heaviness of the earlier


    events seemed to disperse.


    “She ok?” Hazel asked.


    “Be?” he quizzed with a raised eyebrow, his expression betraying a hint of disdain.


    “She deserved it,” he added firmly, as though discussing the actions of a stranger rather than his own


    wife and mate. Hazel, momentarily taken aback, sensed a detachment in his tone it was as if he were


    addressing someone else entirely.


    “I really am sorry,” he repeated, his eyes holding sincerity.


    Hazel’s concern shifted, pondering on reasons why Be would unleash such cruelty on such little


    children.


    “Does Be happen to know they’re mine?” she inquired, trying to fathom the motive behind the attack


    on her kids. His response, a simple “No,” hung in the air.


    She sighed, Be was just generally a mean person.


    “Five-year-olds are literally babies,” Hazel muttered.


    “You don’t happen to have kids, right?” she ventured, her conviction growing that a mother wouldn’t


    inflict harm on a child, any child, she felt this in her bones.


    Ethan’s demeanor shifted to a mncholic one, revealing a profound sorrow.


    “We had one; she died,” he disclosed, a heavy sadness in his voice. Hazel gasped, her hands


    instinctively covering her mouth.


    in shock.


    “Before he or she came into this world,” he concluded, his words hanging with the weight of an


    unresolved grief.


    “I’m so sorry,” Hazel whispered, her sympathy genuine andpassionate.


    A distant and faraway look settled on Ethan’s face, as though he was caught in the haunting memories


    of the worst day of his life. The weight of regret seemed to linger in the room, casting a solemn


    atmosphere.


    “It was all my fault,” he mumbled softly, the words barely audible, carrying the burden of a past mistake.


    Hazel could sense the pain etched into his expression.


    “I should go now,” Ethan said, breaking the heavy silence that enveloped them.


    “Ethan,” she called out before realizing what she was doing. He turned back to look at her, his eyes


    searching hers for an exnation.