Ethan didn’t hesitate. “The only thing I regret is every second I let you near her.”
Margot recoiled as though he’d struck her, shaking her head in disbelief. But Ethan didn’t give her time to recover. He gestured toward the elevator.
“Get out.”
When she didn’t immediately move, he pointed at the elevator. “Leave, Mother. And don’t come back.”
She sputtered, flailing for control she no longer possessed, before finally storming toward me. I stepped closer to Ethan without thinking, drawn to the safety that had once felt impossible.
He pressed the call button, and none of us spoke while we waited. When the doors slid open, Margot stepped inside, shaking with fury.
Ethan met her eyes one last time. “If you show up again, I will find a way to decrease your monthly distributions from the trust. There has to be a loophole somewhere in the agreement, and I’ll spend however long it takes to find it.”
The doors closed on her stunned expression.
He exhaled slowly, then yanked his phone from his pocket.
“Ethan, you don’t have to?—”
“I do.”
He hit a contact and put the call on speaker, letting the ringing echo through the entryway so I could hear every word.
The building manager answered. “Mr. Prescott! How can I?—”
“How did my mother get upstairs?” Ethan demanded. “Her access was revoked weeks ago. Review the security feed. I want names of every single employee who facilitated it.”
“I—I’ll look immediately, sir.”
“This is a breach of security.” Ethan’s tone never wavered. “And if it ever happens again, I’ll put the penthouse on the market and personally inform every resident, board member, and investor I know that this building cannot be trusted to protect its tenants.”
There was a small, terrified pause. “Yes, sir. Understood. I’ll take care of it right away. Margot Prescott will be added to a heightened-threat list. If she sets foot on the property again, security will contact the police.”
“Good.” Ethan ended the call without another word.
I stared at my husband, shocked that he’d actually severed every thread Margot wrapped around us. This was beyond no-contact. He would literally have his mother arrested before letting her hurt us again.
And that realization loosened the knot that had lived in my chest for far too long.
Ethan turned toward me and did something even more unexpected. He dropped to his knees.
“I’m so sorry.” He braced his hands on his thighs. “I know you deserve more than just words, so I’ve been focusing on the actions I could do to try to make up for the hurt I caused. I’m in therapy three times a week. Couples therapy with you. And my own sessions because I needed someone to help me untangle my relationship with my mother. I’ve limited her resources and blocked her number, email, and social media accounts. Every line of contact.”
My knees shook, but I couldn’t move.
His throat worked as he swallowed. “I’ve honored every boundary you set at home. Not once have I pushed for more.”
That was true. Each small respect felt like a stitch pulling my heart back together.
“I changed my work schedule and delegated everything Gage would let me hand off. No more drowning myself in responsibilities that let me avoid what truly mattered. I also updated my will. Except for the stipend my mother already receives from the trust, everything goes to you and the baby. If anything ever happens to me, you’ll never have to fight for a cent.”
My vision blurred.
He pulled a folder from his briefcase. “And this is a list of houses. Places where we could build something that isn’t poisoned by memories of my mother. You don’t have to say yes to any of them. I just needed to show you I’m planning a life with you.”
My knees felt weak, and I grabbed his shoulder to steady myself.
“If you need me to change my number, I will. If you want me to sell anything my mother ever touched, I’ll do it tomorrow. Tell me the price of making you feel safe, and I’ll gladly pay it.”
