Chapter 90 Bitter Truths

Chapter 90 Bitter Truths
Ethan gripped the woman’s wrist, stopping her fingers mid gesture. His breath was heavy and ragged, warm against the skin of the masked woman’s face.

"Who are you, really?" Ethan hissed, his voice hoarse with an emotion he couldn't quite name. "This tactic ... that look in your eyes ... it can’t just be a coincidence."

The woman didn't flinch. Even cornered, she showed no sign of fear. With her free hand, she slowly reached for Ethan’s collar, pulling him slightly closer until their noses almost touched.

\[If I told you, would you even believe me?\] Her hand movements this time were slower, almost provocative.

Ethan went silent. A faint scent of perfume the scent of lilies that Emily loved so much wafted from the strands of the woman's hair. His logic screamed that Emily was gone, but his instinct told him otherwise.

Just as Ethan was about to force the mask off, the sound of hurried footsteps approached from ahead.

"Mr. Ethan? Are you there?"

The woman seized the moment. With a swift movement, she kicked Ethan’s shin and shoved his chest with all her might. Before Ethan could regain his balance, she had already leaped toward the open window.

"Wait!" Ethan shouted, but she had already vanished into the darkness of the club, leaving behind a single rose that had fallen to the floor.

Ethan stood frozen, staring at the retreating figure that felt so familiar until it was swallowed by the shadows. A bitter, lopsided smile played on the corner of his lips.

"Sweetheart, so you still want to play games with me?" Ethan muttered. "Fine. I’ll play along."

A moment later, River approached cautiously, a short shotgun ready in his hand. He scanned the surroundings before turning to Ethan.

"Are you alright?" River asked, checking for injuries.

Ethan turned slowly. Instead of answering, he held out a few strands of hair he had snatched from the woman with lightning speed.

"Check this hair. See if it matches yours," he commanded coldly.

Before River could respond, Ethan gave a sharp tug to his own hair, pulling a few strands out, and handed them to his trusted assistant. His gaze sharpened as if a massive plan was forming in his mind.

"Run a DNA test. I want to know the match between that woman's hair and your sample and also my relationship to Louei."

“What?” River blurted out spontaneously.

“Do it. I believe that woman is my Emily,” he said firmly.

River took the samples with a serious expression. He knew full well that if Ethan’s hunch was correct, then that bratty kid was his nephew.

“River, what are you waiting for?” Ethan hissed.

"I’ll take these to our private lab immediately, sir. The results will be out within twenty four hours," River replied, tucking the samples into an airtight plastic bag.

Ethan didn't reply. His eyes were still fixed on the window where the woman had jumped. His thoughts drifted to Emily, then to Louei the boy who had been a puzzle in his life all this time.

"River," Ethan called out coldly.

"Yes, sir?"

"Tighten security across the entire estate. Don't leave a single gap open." Ethan turned around, his jaw tightening. "If what Louei said is true, it means they’re both in grave danger. And I won't let anyone touch them before I get my answers."

River nodded obediently, feeling the thick aura of intimidation radiating from his master. Without another word, he stepped back and hurried to carry out the orders.

After making sure Ethan’s car had left, Emily leaned against the back of the door. She tried to steady her ragged breathing, attempting to calm her heart, which felt like it wanted to jump out of her chest.

"Damn it, that was close," she whispered.

The faint sound of Louei’s sobbing still echoed from the corridor. The sound pierced Emily’s heart, triggering a wave of guilt so intense her eyes burned.

"I'm sorry, baby," she whispered, her voice trembling. She clenched her fists, trying to bolster the resolve that had momentarily wavered. "This is for the best. You don't know how cruel that man is ... I won't let you become a victim of their games."

Emily closed her eyes for a moment, picturing Ethan’s suspicious face. She knew he wouldn't stay quiet, but to her, staying out of Ethan’s reach was the only way to survive.

“I hate you, Ethan.”

Emily walked slowly into the room, approaching Louei, who was still sobbing. The boy's small shoulders shook, showing how deeply hurt he was.

"Louei?" Emily called softly, reaching for her son’s shoulder.

Louei flinched and pushed Emily’s hand away. His small, swollen eyes stared at her with a flash of deep resentment. "Mommy is mean! Why did Mommy hide and let Auntie Lili claim I was her son?" he demanded, his voice raspy.

Emily let out a long sigh, her heart feeling as if it were being squeezed. "Sweetheart, listen to me. This was all done for your own good."

"But why, Mom? That man is a good person! He could take us away from this place!" Louei cried out, desperately trying to convince his mother.

"You wouldn't understand, child." Emily turned her face away, unable to look at the spark of hope in her son’s eyes.

"Louei is a big boy, Mom! I know everything!" Louei screamed softly, his tears falling again. "Does Mammy want to keep getting hurt by that mean man? Why don't we just run away with the Good Uncle?"

Louei’s outburst suddenly triggered the anger Emily had been suppressing for so long. "Louei!" she snapped, her voice thundering.

Louei winced and immediately went silent. He stared into his mother's eyes, which now radiated a mix of pain and overlapping rage. His small body trembled, facing an Emily whose fury he rarely saw.

"Why are you being so stubborn?" Emily struggled to catch her breath, but the biting words had already slipped out. "You’re just like your father! That bastard ... you want to know the truth? He didn't even want you!"

The words hit Louei like a physical blow. The boy froze, looking at his mother with a look of disbelief and profound disappointment.

"Mommy is mean! I hate Mommy!" he screamed, his voice breaking.

Without waiting for a response, Louei struggled to his feet and ran away, leaving Emily behind. She instantly collapsed, realizing she had just inflicted a wound that her son should have never had to hear.