Chapter 31 Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Ethan parked his Lamborghini outside the house and quietly walked in.
The living room was dim, the house almost too quiet. He loosened his tie, exhaustion written all over his face. It had been a long day at the company — meetings, decisions, fake smiles — everything he was already tired of.
Just as he was about to head upstairs, a familiar voice stopped him.
“Ethan,” Richard Castellan said from the dining area.
Ethan froze for a second. “Dad, please, I’m tired. Can we talk tomorrow?” he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Stop, Ethan. I said we need to talk.”
Ethan exhaled deeply and turned to face him. “What is it?”
Richard stood beside the dining table, a glass of wine in hand, his expression stern yet oddly calm. “I have good news for you. Drake Monroe called. We talked about you and Amelia’s wedding. It’s finally happening, son. This union will open big doors for our company. The upcoming project with the Monroes will go smoothly once the families are joined.”
Ethan’s face hardened. “Dad, please, not again.”
“This is not just about you,” Richard said, setting the glass down. “It’s about the Castellan name, about everything I’ve built. The merger between our companies will put us on top.”
Ethan clenched his jaw. “Dad, I said I’m not marrying Amelia.”
“Why?” Richard snapped. “She’s beautiful, well-mannered, and from one of the most powerful families in Monterey. What else could you possibly want?”
Ethan laughed bitterly. “You want to know why? Because she’s a murderer.”
Richard’s expression shifted. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me,” Ethan said firmly. “She killed Ella Walls because she thought we had something together. You think I didn’t know? The whole case was buried because of her father’s influence. Everyone knows how dangerous that family is.”
“Stop it, Ethan,” Richard raised his voice. “Don’t talk about the Monroes that way. You have no proof. You think I don’t know what’s best for you? This marriage is not just for love or family ties — it’s business, power, stability.”
“Business? You’re selling your son for a business deal,” Ethan shot back. “I’m not your project, Dad. You can take your deal and have it yourself, but I’m not marrying her.”
Richard’s face went red. “You ungrateful child! Everything you have today — this house, your position, your life — you think you got it on your own? You think this company runs on your pride?”
Ethan stayed silent for a moment, his hand tightening on the stair rail. “Maybe I don’t need any of it if it means living a lie,” he said quietly.
Richard slammed his hand on the table. “You’ll marry her, Ethan. You’ll do as I say. You think you can fight me and the Monroes? They’re powerful people, and if you go against them, they’ll destroy everything.”
Ethan looked straight at him. “They can try.”
Their voices had risen enough that Maria, who was upstairs, heard the argument. She rushed down, holding the end of her robe.
“What’s going on here?” she asked, looking between the two.
“Ask your son,” Richard said angrily. “He’s refusing the marriage arrangement.”
Maria turned to Ethan. “Sweetheart, why are you doing this? You know how important this is for your father. The Monroes are strong allies. Drake’s already agreed to everything.”
Ethan looked at her, hurt flashing in his eyes. “Mom, you too?”
Maria sighed, stepping closer. “Ethan, please. I’m not asking you to love her. Just… think of the family. Your father has worked so hard to build this empire. You can’t throw it away over some old feelings or personal opinions.”
Ethan shook his head slowly. “You both care about your empire more than my peace of mind.”
Maria tried to touch his shoulder. “Ethan, we just want the best for you.”
“The best for me?” He took a step back. “No, Mom. You both want the best for yourselves. You don’t care what that girl did, do you? You know she’s dangerous. You know what she’s capable of, yet you’d still tie me to her just to get your next big project.”
Richard’s voice cut in sharply. “You’re talking like a child. Grow up, Ethan! In this world, you can’t survive on emotions. You survive on power and alliances.”
“Then maybe I don’t belong in your world,” Ethan said, his voice low but steady.
Richard glared at him. “You’ll regret this.”
“Maybe I will,” Ethan said quietly, picking up his phone from the console table. “But I’d rather regret walking away than regret marrying someone like her.”
Maria’s voice softened. “Ethan, please don’t talk like that. We’ve already set up a dinner with Drake and Amelia. Don’t embarrass us.”
Ethan looked at both of them — his parents, the people who had taught him everything, yet somehow forgot what it meant to care. He felt like a stranger in his own house.
“Then go to your dinner without me,” he said.
“Ethan!” Maria called after him as he started walking toward the stairs.
He stopped halfway, his back still turned to them. “You always taught me to stand for what’s right,” he said. “But right now, you both are choosing what’s convenient.”
Without waiting for a response, he walked up the stairs, his footsteps echoing faintly in the house.
Richard stood there, jaw tight, staring after him. “He’ll come around,” he muttered, but there was a trace of doubt in his tone.
Maria just stood quietly, worried. “You pushed him too hard, Richard,” she said softly.
“He’ll thank me one day,” Richard replied coldly, pouring himself another glass of wine.