Ethan's POV
Ethan sat in his office, his mind racing. It had been hours since he left Bella's apartment, but the memory of the afternoon—the twins' bright smiles, Aiden's innocent questions, and Aria's reserved curiosity—was still vivid in his mind. He couldn't shake the image of them, how they had embraced him with such raw, unguarded energy. It made his heart swell, but it also terrified him.
For years, he had been consumed by his past mistakes, the loss of Bella, and the emptiness that had followed. But now, seeing her again, and with the twins by her side, everything felt… different. More real, more complicated. The connection he felt to them, to Bella, was undeniable. But he knew it couldn't be rushed. He had a lot to make up for.
His phone buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts. He glanced down and saw the name William Carter flashing on the screen.
"Hey, Dad," Ethan answered, running a hand through his hair. His father's voice was always a grounding force in his life.
"Ethan," his father's voice came through, smooth and firm. "We need to talk. Are you free tonight?"
Ethan's brow furrowed at the seriousness in his father's tone. "What's going on?"
"I'll tell you when I see you," William replied cryptically. "Come over for dinner. It's important."
Ethan's instincts kicked in, and he felt a tightening in his chest. "Alright. I'll be there."
As the call ended, Ethan leaned back in his chair, the weight of his father's words settling in. He'd been to his parents' house countless times, but something about tonight felt different. His parents had always been supportive, but they had also always been protective of him—especially when it came to Bella.
Ethan had no idea what he was walking into, but one thing was clear: he had a feeling it had something to do with Bella and the twins. His mind drifted back to the afternoon.
The way Bella had looked at him when she opened the door, hesitant yet hopeful, had been a reminder of how much she had been through. She wasn't the same woman he had once known, and he didn't expect her to be. She was strong, resilient, and had carved out a life for herself and the twins. Yet, despite everything, there was a flicker of the woman he had fallen in love with still there.
The twins were something he had never expected. He hadn't anticipated how much he would care for them instantly. Their laughter, the way they looked at him like he wasn't a stranger, but someone they could trust—it all sent waves of emotion through him. He wasn't just meeting them as a potential stepfather or boyfriend to their mom; he was meeting them as their father.
The twins—his twins—were everything.
He had never known how much he wanted to be a father until now. He'd always imagined it would be with Bella, but back then, they hadn't been ready. And then the betrayal had happened. The regret that followed had haunted him for years, but seeing the twins, feeling that strange connection to them, made him realize he wasn't just trying to get back with Bella anymore. He was trying to be a part of their lives. Their father. The man who would protect them, no matter what.
He stood up and grabbed his jacket, moving towards the door. He would go to dinner with his parents, but there was something he needed to do afterward. He needed to be with Bella again. He needed to make it clear that he wasn't just going to disappear. He was going to be there, for her and for the kids.
---
Dinner at the Carter household was always a grand affair. Ethan's parents were old-fashioned in many ways, and their house reflected that—luxurious, elegant, and meticulously designed. He entered through the grand double doors, the familiar scent of his mother's cooking filling the air.
"Ethan!" His mother, Eleanor, greeted him with a warm hug. "It's so good to see you."
Ethan smiled, hugging her back. "It's good to see you, too, Mom."
They walked into the dining room, where his father, William, was already sitting at the head of the table. His father was tall, with graying hair and a commanding presence. Ethan had always admired him, though his relationship with his father had always been a bit more business-focused than emotional.
"You're late," William said with a raised eyebrow as Ethan sat down across from him. "We need to have a serious conversation."
Ethan felt his heart rate pick up. "About what?"
His father glanced over at Eleanor, who had already taken her seat. She looked at Ethan, her face full of concern.
"About Bella," she said softly. "And the twins."
Ethan stiffened. "What about them?"
William leaned forward, his tone serious. "We know, Ethan. We know about the twins."
Ethan froze, his blood running cold. He hadn't told his parents about the twins yet. Hell, he hadn't even had a chance to process everything himself.
"Dad, I—"
"No need to explain," William cut him off. "Your mother and I have suspected for a while. The twins... they're yours, aren't they?"
Ethan's throat tightened. He nodded slowly. "Yes. They are."
Eleanor's eyes softened, and she reached out, placing her hand on his. "Ethan, you have to understand. We want what's best for you. And Bella. And those kids. But there's more going on here than you realize."
Ethan's gaze flickered to his father. "What do you mean?"
William exchanged a look with his wife before speaking. "There are things about Bella's past with Vince Reyes you don't know. Things that might complicate your relationship with her. With the twins."
Ethan's heart sank. Vince. The name alone made his blood boil.
"Vince?" Ethan asked, his voice tight. "What do you know about him?"
"We know enough to be concerned," William replied. "And we're afraid he'll use this against you. The business. The reputation."
Ethan clenched his fists. "He won't get away with it. Not while I'm breathing."
Eleanor squeezed his hand. "Ethan, you're not just fighting for yourself anymore. You're fighting for Bella and those kids, too. You need to be prepared for what Vince might do next."
The gravity of the situation hit him harder than ever. Vince wasn't just a ghost from his past anymore—he was a present threat. A threat to Bella, to the twins, and to everything Ethan had worked so hard to build.
He stood up, pushing his chair back with a sense of determination. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect them."
William nodded. "Good. But remember—Vince won't go down without a fight."
Ethan knew that better than anyone. Vince Reyes was ruthless. And now that he knew the truth about Aiden and Aria, there was no way he would let them go without a fight.
Ethan turned to his parents, his resolve hardening. "I'm not backing down. I'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe."
As he left the dinner table and made his way out of the house, one thought echoed in his mind: It's time to take the fight to Vince Reyes.
And he would win. For Bella. For the twins. For the family he was determined to build.