Ethan's POV.
Morning in the Wolfe mansion had always been a quiet one.
Morning lights shined through the curtains as alarms rippled the whole room.
He slowly opened his beautiful gray eyes.
"How did I end up sleeping off?"
He said, pulling the blanket to his knees.
Ethan couldn't get her off his mind last night. Aria Moretti.
The only woman he had always had his eyes on.
She had rejected him once, and he didn't back down.He shot out of bed in one go.
The house smelled of jasmine and sandalwood.
Ethan wasn't a person who liked showing off, he preferred the old money style.
"Sir, your breakfast is served." A servant said as he walked down the stairs.He waved her off.
******
Breakfast was a brief one. Ethan never wasted a minute.
The car was ready, his assistant was standing waiting before he arrived.
"Sir," he said, pulling the car door handle for him.
"Are we heading to the office or…"
He stood silent for some moment.
"Drive straight to Sony Studios. I need the contract cooperation signed this morning." He said.
*****
The ride was a short one.
Faint smiles curved at his lips as he imagined about her.
How pale she looked after their encounter at her children's school entrance.
"There are so many studios far better than this one. Sony is just a small studio, it's not worth your attention."
Ethan cleared his throat.
"Sometimes you act like your brain is being fried. Hmmm. You really lack a romantic life."
Marco rubbed a hand on his head.
"Haha.I don't lack a romantic life, sir."
"How long has that been? And why didn't I notice before?"
The corner of Marco's mouth lifted.
"Ten years, Sir."Ethan's eyes widened.
"What? Ten years? Yoo!•
******
Morning in the Rossi's family turned to hell since the arrival of Andrea's mother.
Moria didn't just make things difficult for her, the same went to her children.
Regardless of Aria's attempts to distance herself that morning, Moria persistently looked for ways to retaliate.
Aria was getting the children ready for the day as usual.
Breakfast was served as usual, coffee and toast for Andrea, milk and bread for the kids.
Moria walked downstairs slowly, one hand guiding along the banister as if the house belonged to her.
She didn't say anything.
Her gaze swept over Aria and her kids, she snorted.
"Mum, I made breakfast, come have some," Aria said, adjusting Laura's shirt.
Moria ignored her words, walking toward the kitchen.
Andrea followed, humming a song only he understood.
Luca and Laura stared as they picked on their bread.
"There's nothing for breakfast?" Moria started.
Andrea poured some coffee in his mug, still humming.
"Are you playing dumb about my illness?"
"I can't have coffee and toast for breakfast. Come make me chicken soup," she yelled.
Andrea pulled a seat, the kids startled.
Laura almost choked on her bread. "Are you deaf?" Andrea cut in.
She twisted her hand into a fist, knuckles almost turning white.
Aria had begun making breakfast herself after Andrea nearly embarrassed everyone by complaining about the servant's cooking.
"Sorry, Mum. I'll have to do that when I get back.
There's an emergency meeting at work and I need to be present."
Andrea clenched a hand on the table as he locked his eyes on Aria.
"Are you saying your job matters more than taking care of my mother?"
Servants' eyes flickered to Aria and then to Andrea.
Moria lowered herself to the floor and began to sob.
Aria rushed forward to help her, but was shoved away.
She stumbled backward, striking her head against the edge of the table.
Moria covered her mouth, a wicked smile slipped through the corner of her lips.
Andrea stepped forward as if he wanted to help her up, but then moved past her like she didn't exist.
Aria lifted her face slowly, blood running down her temple.
"Mama! You're bleeding," Luca cried as he pulled back from his seat.
Laura followed, tears stinging her eyes.
"Must you always be unreasonable, Aria? It's just chicken soup!"
Aria kept silent as anger tightened in her chest. She slammed her hand on the table.
The house fell silent.
"Oh get a grip, Andrea! I'm nobody's slave. If your mother wants chicken soup that badly, why don't you make it for her?"
Andrea's throat went dry.
He tried to open his mouth, words didn't come.
"I'm out of here."
She grabbed the children's hands and walked away, never glancing back.
This wasn't the Aria he had known..
She had always done everything to please him— until now.
Andrea watched her leave without saying a word.
"Look at the good thing you married.
That little slut dared to walk away from you?"
Andrea folded his hands into a twist.
"How dare she? Mum I'm leaving. I'll instruct the butler to attend to you."He left.
Moria stood speechless as anger and hate boiled in her eyes."Little slut. I'll deal with you."
*****
"Sir," Mr. David said, shaking Ethan's hand as they walked into the company.
Ethan's eyes swept through the room, searching for Aria as they moved further inside.
David offered him a seat upon entering the meeting room."Aria's not here?" David asked.
"She'll be here in five. Traffic issues." Dorathy, Aria's colleague replied.
"Why do we always have to wait for her," Anna, one of the staff said.
Ethan sat silently, hand patting his thighs.
"We'll have to start without her then."
Ethan cleared his throat."We wait for her."
"Sir, we can't just delay this deal for someone that doesn't matter," Anna cut in.
Ethan's eyes locked hers, she panicked.
Arian pulled the door handle open, breath haggard.
"Sorry, for the lateness. Traffic issues," she said, tears pooling down her neck.
All eyes were fixed on her.
"You know how important today is, look at the time you're just arriving?" Ava said, voice flat.
"Do you always treat your staff like this?" Ethan said, glancing at David.
Aria's eyes lowered to his, heart sinking."Did he just defend me in front of everyone?"
"No, Sir. This isn't…"
"I'm choosing her as my contract manager. The rest of you should leave the room."
Gasps rippled through the room.Aria clutched the file she was carrying, cheeks flushing.
She didn't expect Ethan to defend her, not even making her the manager of his contract.
"Sir, I'm not the one in charge of…"
Ethan stood gently from his chair, closing the distance between them.
"I'm making you in charge, and you owe no one an explanation for that."
Aria froze, her legs trembling.
"What does he want now? Is he trying to help me or get revenge on me?"