The rain was merciless.
It poured like the sky was crying for someone. Elena had finally packed her things and left the office a little early, her thoughts strangely fixed on Ethan and Alex. She didn't know why—but something didn't feel right. Her chest felt heavy.
She stepped out, umbrella in hand, only to find Ethan standing in front of the building—soaked in the rain, holding a faint, shivering Alex in his arms.
"Alex!" she gasped, rushing toward them.
The boy was burning up. His cheeks were red, his small hands clinging to Ethan's jacket, and his voice was barely a whisper.
"M-Mommy… you came..."
Her heart broke into a thousand pieces.
Without thinking twice, she dropped her umbrella and wrapped them both in a tight hug, rain drenching her as well. "Why didn't you call me?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"I didn't want to bother you," Ethan said softly. "I didn't know it would get this bad. He kept asking for you."
Alex whimpered, "I was waiting… you promised you'll come soon…"
Elena brushed the wet hair from his forehead, holding back tears. "I'm here now, baby. I'm here."
They rushed home together. Elena changed into dry clothes while Ethan gently put Alex to bed. The little boy was still burning up. Elena sat beside him all night, pressing a cool cloth to his forehead, whispering lullabies, and running her fingers through his hair.
Ethan came in quietly with a cup of tea for her.
"He's lucky to have you," he said, watching her from the doorway.
She smiled wearily, "I think I'm the lucky one."
A long silence settled in the room, comfortable yet filled with unspoken feelings.
"You looked beautiful today," Ethan suddenly said, softly.
Elena turned, startled. "What?"
He laughed a little, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean… in the office. You looked beautiful. Not that you don't always, I just—never mind."
Elena laughed quietly, her eyes twinkling despite the exhaustion. "You're getting worse at this."
"At what?"
"At pretending it's just a contract."
Their eyes locked.
There was a beat of silence. Then Ethan took a slow step toward her. "Maybe I don't want to pretend anymore."
Elena didn't answer.
She just looked at him—and maybe for the first time, saw the man behind the CEO. The man who held her son in the rain. The man who didn't know how to express his feelings but always showed up when it mattered.
And for the first time, the room didn't feel like a lie.
It felt like home.