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“I know.” A waiter walks past us, and Tom helps himself to a glass of champagne.
“Julia is his past, Nelly. But you … I think you’re Ethan’s future.”
His last statement makes me laugh. It’s a dry sound that shows my disbelief even before I tilt my head in a silent gesture of disagreement.
“Why does everyone think Ethan has somehow magically fallen in love with me?”
“I see the way he looks at you. I’ve always known him, Nelly. I’ve never interfered because he needs to come to a decision on his own. All I’ve done is warn him never to hurt you, but I’ve always known that he loves you. You two are the only ones who do not know that Ethan really does love you.” Tom places a hand on my shoulder and adds in a soft tone.
Like we’re bound by fate, Ethan glances in my direction at that moment and his lips curve with a smile just before his grandfather calls for his attention.
I look down at my silver watch and see it is almost 10:00 pm. Everyone’s having a great time, and I don’t think I can handle any more stolen glances from Ethan for the night.
“I’ll be heading home for the evening,” Tom says to me with a smile.
"Goodnight.” I kiss my brother’s cheeks, then hand him my half-empty glass of fruit wine. “Send Robyn my love.”
“Goodnight,” he replies, and we hug before I head towards the garden’s exit. The night’s cool breeze grazes my face and tickles my nostrils as I walk to my car.
Exhaling deeply, I stare up at the stars for a moment, mesmerized by their beauty. I long for a night with Ethan, one where I can watch the stars and enjoy being in his arms while we soak in the view.
He would love that too. He loves nature and watching the stars. I caution myself once a relaxed smile starts drawing out of my lips. In moments like this, I tend to forget and let thoughts of him slip into my mind.
Once I reach my car, I reach into my purse for my keys, suddenly feeling a person behind me.
“Who’s th—” My words trail off as a handkerchief is pressed onto my mouth and nose. My vision blurs.Chloroform.
Nothing else makes sense after that. There are voices in the background—one sounds familiar, and the other is panicky. I can’t figure out who it is as I pass out.
Chapter 20
Ethan
“You did great,” George says as we continue discussing the new electric train project. “The board members are pleased. They think they made the right decision standing by you.”
“Ethan’s my grandson,” my grandfather adds as he pats my shoulder. “He’s a bit immature sometimes, but his heart is in the right place. Now that he’s found himself a wife and has cleaned up his playboy image, he’s more focused on work than ever.”
My grandfather’s smile widens, and it seems George doesn’t take the comment about a wife too personally.
“Don’t think I’ve forgotten what you did to my sweet Julia, boy,” George jokes, but the stern frown on his lips fades before he bursts into a joyous laugh alongside my grandfather.
My heart lightens at the sound, and I suppress a chuckle before glancing around again to find Nelly. She’s nowhere in sight, and the smile on my lips dwindles when I spot only her brother and Robyn conversing with a few businessmen from our social circle.
I lost track of time while in a discussion with my grandfather and his friend, and now I have no clue where Nelly went. My keen gaze scans every face, but she’s not present.
Where did she run off to?I planned to talk to Nelly tonight and find out how she’s been. Avoiding Nelly this past week has been tough, and I’ve gone over every possibility in my head.
Every possibility as to how things will end if I decide to give our relationship a try.
It’ll be different this time … Higher stakes. With Julia, she was a girl I could simply cut off after she hurt me, but with Nelly, I wouldn’t be able to. Not when she’s this much a part of my life.
Of my heart.
“I’m sorry, Ethan.” Julia’s grim tone stops my train of thought, and I turn to find her standing next to George, tears in her eyes as she stares at him.
“Why?” I question as her quivering gaze pins mine down while she struggles for air. There’s a wild look in her eyes that makes me queasy. “Julia?”
Sweat beads form on her forehead and her eyes dart from mine to her grandfather’s before she looks at me again and gulps in air. “Nelly is in trouble, Ethan. I tried to stop him … I begged … I think he’s out of his mind. He thinks you caused his bankruptcy, and he’s losing it, Ethan. We have to do something … He’s desperate …”