Ethan’s POV
“Who are you people?” Gavin Stark’s cold voice cut through the room like a blade.
I remained seated, refusing to be intimidated by his imposing presence. The way he looked down at me was meant to make me feel small. It didn’t work.
“Hello, Mr. Stark,” I said calmly, extending my hand. “I’m Ethan Kennedy.”
His eyes flickered with recognition, but he deliberately ignored my outstretched hand. The slight didn’t bother me; I’d expected nothing less.
Gavin turned to Meave, his face tight with barely controlled anger. You said you wanted chocolate mousse cake. That was a lie, wasn’t it? Just to get me out of the house so you could meet with someone from the Carter family?”
Meave’s eyes widened, her hand reaching for his. “Gavin, please, you’re misunderstanding. Ethan just came to see me. This has nothing to do with the Carter family. Ethan left them years ago. He’s just here to check on me, that’s all.”
Gavin pulled his hand away. “So Brandon knew about this too? Was the only one kept in the dark?”
“Gavin, please don’t be angry,” Meave pleaded. “I haven’t done anything wrong. Ethan simply wanted to see me.”
“Gavin,” Meave added, her voice growing firmer, “a guest is a guest. Especially since Ethan is Brandon’s friend!”
Gavin’s eyes darted to me, then to Arya, who had shrunk back. “And who is she?” he demanded.
Meave straightened her shoulders, gesturing to Arya. “Arya, come meet your Uncle Gavin!”
Arya stepped forward hesitantly. “Hello, Uncle,” she greeted him softly.
I suppressed a smile. She was playing her part beautifully–the innocent lost lamb. Few would suspect the steel beneath that fragile,
exterior.
Gavin glanced between us, still suspicious. “Where are Brandon and his wife?”
“The lovebirds went for a walk,” Meave replied, her tone lightening. Young couples need their privacy.”
As if on cue, Summer walked in with Brandon trailing behind. She paused when she spotted our tense tableau.
‘Mrs. Stark, Arya greeted her formally.
Summer’s face broke into an easy smile. “Please, don’t be so formal. Just call me Summer or whatever you’re comfortable with.”
She approached Arya warmly. “How old are you, Arya?”
“Twenty–three,” Arya replied, some of the stiffness leaving her shoulders.
Summer grinned. only two years older than you, You can call me ‘sis‘ if you want.”
Arya’s lips curved into a small smile.
‘Let me make some tea for everyone,” Summer offered, heading toward the kitchen with Meave following.
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Minutes later, they emerged with a tea service arranged on a silver try.
‘Summer, impressive, Meave danmented. “Did you study it?”
Summer set the tray down carefully, ‘I learned from my grandfather when I was young”
She poured tea with practiced movements.
Gavin accepted his cup with a nod. “Thank you. Brandon has found himself a good wife:
“It’s getting late,” Summer said, glancing at her watch, “Why don’t you all both for dinner? III start preparing nore”
Without waiting for a response, she headed to the kitched with Brandon following
Gavin watched them go, his expression softening. “That boy seems have finally figured things out
“Indeed. He has developed something of a… human touch.”
Gavin’s hand stilled over the board. His eyes met mine in quiet agreement. “Yes, that’s exactly it. The human touch.”
By the time Summer called us to dinner, Gavin and I had reached an unspoken truce. The dining table was laden with dishes that filled the room with aroma.
“Everyone, dinner’s ready!” Summer announced.
Meave inhaled appreciatively. “It smells delicious, Summer! I had no idea you could cook like this.”
Summer laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, it was mostly Brandon. I just helped out.”
The six of us settled around the table, the earlier tension completely dissolved. I caught Gavin watching Brandon and Summer with approval, exchanging knowing glances with Meave. The Stark elders had clearly given their blessing to this union.
After dinner, I made our excuses, helping Arya with her coat. Once inside the car, with the doors closed against the cold night air, she turned to me, all pretense gone.
‘Is that why you brought me here? Just to see her?” she demanded, her voice sharp.
I didn’t answer, focusing on starting the car and pulling away from the Hamptons estate.
“She’s a good woman, Arya continued. “I can see how much you respect her. Yet you’re using her kindness. Don’t you think that’s
cruel?
I pulled the car over, turning to face her fully. With one finger, I lifted her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze.
“Nine,” I said quietly, using the name she’d gone by when I first found her. “Do you remember our first meeting?”
Her entire body trembled, her eyes widening with fear. “I’ve forgotten, she whispered.
“How could you forget something like that?” I pressed, my voice soft but relentless. “People are most honest about what they truly want when they’re at their lowest point. Like when I found you. You were willing to do anything to survive. Nothing was off–limits as long as it achieved your goal.”
She pulled away from my touch. “That was wrong–sinful. That’s why I met you in the first place.” Her eyes flashed. “If I could
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choose again, I would never have crossed paths with you.”
I traced a finger down her cheek, watching her flinch. “People are willing to sacrifice much to get what they want. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Nine, once you get what you want, if you do good afterward–if you become a better person–God will forgive you. Are you afraid?”
She remained silent, but I could see the conflict in her eyes.
“Think about what drives you forward, and you won’t be afraid anymore,” I said. “We’re in New York now, wouldn’t you like to see your old friends? Or perhaps visit the place where we first met?”
Her gaze hardened. “No, thank you. I’m tired. I want to rest.”
“Very well,” I agreed, putting the car back in drive.
As we continued in silence, I watched her from the corner of my eye. She had closed her eyes, but I knew she wasn’t sleeping. Her mind was racing with memories–the path that had led her to me, the choices she’d made.
She turned her head away, trying to escape my presence, my influence.
