Chapter 68: The Promise
Dawn slipped through the curtains, its pale golden light spilling across the room, illuminating Camila’s weary yet resolute face.
A sleepless night had left dark circles beneath her eyes, but her gaze remained sharp, unwavering.
She turned slightly, finding Ethan still asleep, his hair tousled, his breathing steady. A soft smile touched her lips as she pulled the blanket up over him, then reached for the phone on the nightstand.
Her slender fingers trembled faintly as she dialed a number. On the other end, only a few long rings sounded before a deep voice came through.
Camila pressed the phone to her ear, whispering a few brief words. No one knew who she had called, only that her eyes glimmered with tension mingled with determination.
When the call ended, she gripped the phone tightly in her hand and drew in a deep breath, as though she had just taken on another burden.
By eight o’clock, the Sterling mansion’s living room was silent, the only sound the wheels of her chair rolling softly across the wooden floor. Camila stopped by the sofa and looked up as the butler approached.
“Miss Camila, a man named David is here to see you.”
She gave a small nod, her voice calm but slightly hoarse: “Let him in.”
Moments later, the butler returned with David. The tall man’s hair was ruffled by the wind outside, his stern gaze softening with sorrow when it fell on her. He froze briefly at the sight of her in a wheelchair, then strode closer, voice urgent:
“Camila… what happened? Why are you in a wheelchair?”
She didn’t answer immediately, only gestured for him to sit. When David settled opposite her, Camila drew in a long breath, her fingers entwined tightly.
“David, I need a favor. A very important one.”
He leaned forward, eyes fixed on hers: “Tell me. I’ll help you no matter what.”
Camila lowered her head, her voice catching: “I need you to take care of Ethan for a while.”
David’s brows furrowed instantly, his voice rising: “What? Why? Is something going on between you and Leon?”
Her eyes darted around the room, ensuring no one else was near. Then she lowered her tone: “This mansion… is no longer safe. I can’t explain everything now, but Ethan needs to leave.”
David’s frown deepened. “What about you? Where’s Leon?”
She pressed a finger to her lips, silencing him. Her voice grew stern: “I can’t reveal more. Not yet. Only when I uncover the truth… I’ll tell you. But please, keep Ethan safe. If anything unusual happens, inform me at once.”
David’s gaze locked on hers, conflict flickering in his eyes, before he finally nodded. “I promise.”
The tense air broke at the sound of a cheerful voice from the staircase:
“Mom!”
Ethan came rushing down, his hair messy, eyes sparkling from sleep. He threw himself into Camila’s lap before glancing curiously at David.
“Uncle David… weren’t you the one with Mom at the mall last time?”
Camila smiled and nodded. “Yes, Ethan. He’s a friend of mine.”
Still unsure but intrigued, Ethan tilted his head. Camila leaned closer, her voice gentle: “Ethan, Uncle David wants to take you on a trip today. Do you want to go?”
The boy’s eyes lit up. “Where, Mom?”
David smiled warmly. “To the beach. There’ll be plenty of sandcastles. You’ll love it.”
“Really?” Ethan nearly bounced with joy. “I want to go!”
Camila smoothed his hair, her gaze soft with sadness. Ethan looked up, his voice faltering: “Mom, aren’t you coming with us?”
She steadied her tone, whispering: “I need to stay here… to wait for your father. You go with Uncle David first. Dad and I will join you later.”
David glanced at Camila, catching the sorrow hidden in her eyes, but said nothing. Ethan nodded eagerly, though his voice was firm: “Okay. But you must come later, promise?”
Camila squeezed his hand, her lips trembling: “I promise.”
Not long after, under Camila’s arrangement, David left the mansion with Ethan. From the second-floor window, she watched the car disappear into the distance. Her heart felt crushed, yet her eyes hardened with resolve. I must fight. Until I uncover the truth… and until Leon returns.
David drove through sunlit roads. On the passenger seat, Ethan pressed his face against the glass, eyes sparkling with wonder. He pointed excitedly at the fields.
“Uncle David, look! Horses! I’ve never seen real horses this close!”
David glanced over, forcing a smile. “Yeah, maybe later, I’ll let you ride one.”
Ethan laughed gleefully, then rambled on about the sandcastles he would build at the beach, the seashells he would collect for his mother. David listened, responding gently, though his chest grew heavier with each passing moment.
At last, the car stopped before a secluded suburban house, surrounded by tall trees and shade. David crouched beside Ethan, lowering his voice.
“This will be our place for a while. Want to see your own room?”
“Yes!” Ethan cheered, running inside.
The house was simple yet warm. In a small room, David had laid blue sheets on the bed and left a few old toys he had once bought but never used. Ethan clutched a teddy bear tightly, his eyes glowing.
“Uncle David, I love this place!”
David ruffled his hair gently. “From now on, think of it as your second home.”
Ethan looked up curiously. “But… will we still go to the beach?”
David nodded, his gaze soft, almost paternal. “Of course.”
Just then, David’s phone buzzed. He checked the screen— a message from Camila.
David, please take care of Ethan for me. No one else can help me right now, only you.
His hand tightened around the phone. Questions swirled relentlessly in his mind: What is Camila hiding? What danger is she facing that she cannot speak of?
Closing his eyes, David exhaled deeply. When he opened them again, Ethan was on the floor, stacking wooden blocks into a castle, his innocent smile bright as sunlight.
David whispered to himself, his voice low and steady, like a vow:
“Camila, I’ll keep my word. I’ll protect him—no matter the cost.”
Outside, dusk descended, painting the windows in amber. Inside the small house, Ethan’s laughter flickered like a beacon, giving David strength for the storm that lay ahead.