Chapter 301 Chapter 301

Chapter 301 Chapter 301
Chapter 301

Agent Miller kept a firm hand under Ethan’s arm, helping him limp down the long side hallway toward the main living area. The soft tap of his carved wooden cane against the hard marble floor echoed through the quiet corridor. In the main sitting room, Maria, Isabelle, and Ariana froze at the sound. Maria turned around instantly, her breath catching in her throat as she saw her son standing near the archway, alive, breathing, and leaning heavily on his makeshift stick.

A loud sob escaped Maria’s lips as she rushed across the room, wrapping her arms tightly around Ethan's shoulders. "My boy! Oh God, my son!" Maria cried, holding him close while being careful not to push against his posture. "I thought I lost you! I thought they took you away from me forever!"

Ethan let out a weak, breathy laugh, resting his chin on his mother’s shoulder and wrapping his free arm around her back. "I'm here, Mom," Ethan whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I made it back. I told you I would come home."

Maria pulled back slightly, framing his face with her trembling hands to inspect every scratch, bruise, and smudge of dirt on his skin. She kissed his forehead repeatedly, tears streaming freely down her face. "Look at you," she sobbed, running her hand gently down his jacket. "You are hurt, you are bleeding, but you are alive. That is all that matters to me."

Standing nearby, Agent Miller and Ariana watched the scene in silence, while Isabelle stood completely frozen. A quiet tear escaped Isabelle’s eye, slipping down her cheek as she took in the sight of Ethan standing in the room. He turned his head slowly away from his mother, his gaze locking directly onto Isabelle.

Isabelle took a cautious step forward, her eyes scanning his torn, dirt-stained jacket, his bruised jawline, and the thick, rough cloth wrapped tightly around his right thigh. Ethan saw her standing there, completely unhurt and safe, just as he had prayed for while hiding in the woods in France. Every bit of exhaustion and fear that had been building up inside him over the last few days seemed to melt away in an instant.

He looked at her, and she looked deep into his eyes, neither of them speaking a single word for several long seconds.
"It seems we have to give two people some space," Ariana teased softly, flashing a gentle smile toward Maria and Agent Miller to break the silence.

Isabelle moved in closer, taking Ethan’s right hand into hers and gently guiding his arm over her shoulder to take some of his weight off the cane. She helped him turn slowly toward the guest corridor, leading him step by step down the quiet hallway and into the private bedroom.

Once the door clicked shut behind them, Isabelle led him to the edge of the large bed and sat him down carefully. As soon as he was seated, the dam broke inside her. Tears began pouring down her cheeks in silence, no words being said between them as she dropped to her knees right in front of him. Her hands trembled as she reached for the zipper of his jacket, slowly pulling it down and helping him slide his arms out of the dirty material.

She worked quietly, removing his torn outer shirt to reveal the faint scrapes on his arms. Then she leaned down to inspect his right leg. Jean’s rough, hand-tied cloth bandage was stiff and stained with dried blood. Isabelle carefully untied the thick knots, unwrapping the layers of linen until his pale skin and the healing bullet wound were exposed. She set the dirty rags aside, helping him slip out of his ruined trousers until he was left sitting in only his boxers.

The moment the dirty clothes were completely cleared away, Isabelle leaned forward and threw her arms around his neck, burying her face into his chest as a fresh wave of sobs shook her shoulders.
"You know I don't smell good," Ethan murmured softly, a small, tired smile touching his lips as he felt her hot tears against his bare skin. "I am untidy. You can hug me when I'm all cleaned up."

"I don't care," Isabelle whispered, her voice muffled against his skin as she persistently held him tighter, refusing to let go.

Ethan wrapped both of his arms firmly around her waist, drawing her as close as he possibly could while they both panted silently in the quiet room.