Together, We're stronger

Chapter 137: Together, We're stronger

MIA

"Mia, are you okay?" I heard as I woke up with a gasp, cold water dripping down my face.

My heart pounded as my vision adjusted, and I saw Sophie kneeling beside me, her face filled with concern.

I blinked rapidly, struggling to make sense of what had just happened. The last thing I remembered was seeing Ethan.

Ethan, who was supposed to be dead, was standing in that courtroom. My chest tightened. Was I hallucinating? Was I losing my mind?

“Thank goodness you're awake, you scared us Mia.” Aunt Cecilia exclaimed.

I ignored her, “Wasn't that Ethan? I need to be sure, let's go back to the courtroom.”

I struggled to get up and headed back into the courtroom, aunt Cecilia and Sophie behind me. Then I heard the judge’s voice.

“In light of the overwhelming evidence presented to this court, Smith Cole is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.”

My head snapped toward the judge’s bench. The courtroom was dead silent for a moment, then a wave of murmurs filled the air. I looked at Smith, who sat there frozen, his expression a mask of disbelief. His lawyer leaned in to whisper something to him, but he didn’t react.

It was over.

Smith Cole, the man who had ruined so many lives, who had my mother and father murdered, was finally getting what he deserved.

I should’ve felt relief. I should’ve felt victory. But all I felt was exhaustion.

Uncle Greg stood tall, his face cold, but I could see the slight twitch in his jaw—his version of a satisfied smirk. Ethan, however, was staring at me, his expression unreadable. I turned away.

I didn’t speak to anyone as we left the courthouse. Sophie and Aunt Cecilia tried to walk beside me, but I kept my pace quick, heading straight to the car. Ethan had survived, and he hadn’t told me. He let me grieve, let me think he was gone forever.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.

How could he? How could he shatter my heart like that?

I refused to look at Ethan, even though I could feel his eyes on me the entire time. I got into my car and sped home.

When we got back to the Evans estate, I stormed inside, ignoring the celebratory cheers from the family. Greg’s children were talking animatedly, Aunt Cecilia had tears in her eyes, and even Greg himself looked pleased but I didn't stop for pleasantries.

I climbed the stairs, walked into my room, and slammed the door shut.

A few minutes later, there was a soft knock. I knew who it was before he even spoke.

“Mia,” Ethan said gently as he opened the door, still standing outside.

I didn’t answer.

He sighed. “I know you’re angry. You have every right to be.”

I let out a bitter laugh, turning to face him as I crossed my arms. “You let me believe you were dead, Ethan. Do you have any idea what that did to me? The feeling of losing two loved ones in a day?”

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “I did it to protect you.”

I scoffed. “Protect me? Do you hear yourself?”

“I didn’t have a choice,” he insisted. “Smith would have come after me, after you. Faking my death was the only way to get ahead of him.”

I shook my head, tears threatening to spill over. “You should’ve told me.”

“I wanted to,” he admitted. “But if I had, would you have been able to pretend? Would you have been able to grieve me convincingly? Smith had eyes everywhere, Mia. If he even suspected I was alive, he would’ve come for you.”

I wiped my tears away angrily. “I don’t care about any of that. I just…” My voice broke. “I just needed you.”

Ethan closed the distance between us in two steps, pulling me into his arms. I wanted to push him away, to keep holding onto my anger, but I felt relieved that he was still alive.

I sobbed into his chest. “You don’t get to do that to me.”

“I know,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry. I'll tell you everything that happened.”

He stroked my hair, murmuring apologies over and over, but I was too tired to respond. My body was drained from everything, the grief, anger, relief, and confusion.

Eventually, I drifted off to sleep, still in his arms.

When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I saw was Ethan sitting beside me.

He gave me a small smile. “You’re awake.”

I sat up, rubbing my eyes. “How long was I asleep?”

“A few hours.”

I frowned, suddenly aware of the noise coming from downstairs. Laughter, clinking glasses, music.

“They’re celebrating?” I asked.

Ethan nodded. “Greg said we won, so it was only fair to have a victory party.”

I exhaled slowly. “I don’t feel like celebrating.”

Ethan studied me carefully. “You’re still grieving.”

“Of course, I am,” I said, my voice sharp. “My father is dead, Ethan. Winning this case doesn’t change that.”

Ethan reached for my hand, his fingers intertwined with mine. “I know. And I don’t expect you to be okay overnight.”

I looked down, my thumb brushing over the back of his hand. “I just… I don’t know how to be happy about this.”

Ethan sighed. “You don’t have to be. No one is expecting you to dance around like everything is fine. But at least come downstairs, even if just for a little while.”

I hesitated.

“Please?” he asked softly.

I swallowed hard, then finally nodded. “Okay.”

When we walked downstairs together, all eyes turned toward us. The room was filled with familiar faces, Uncle Greg, Aunt Cecilia, Sophie, Marvin, Greg’s children, Liam. The energy in the room was light, full of relief. For them, this was closure.

Sophie rushed over, hugging me tightly. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“I’m fine,” I lied.

Greg raised his glass. “To the Evans family, together, we're stronger than ever.”

A chorus of cheers followed, but I felt detached from it all. I managed a small smile, but my heart wasn’t in it. Ethan squeezed my hand, sensing my reluctance.

As everyone continued celebrating, I slipped away to the back of the room, needing air.

Ethan found me moments later. “You’re not okay, are you?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know how to be.”

He nodded. “Then don’t force it. Take your time.”

I looked up at him. “What if I never get over it?”

Ethan’s gaze was steady. “You will, sweet thing.”

I looked up at him, realizing how much I missed the way he called me ‘sweet thing’ and smiled.