By the time Ethan was waking up, the sun was already setting. The room only had half light, a clear sign of early evening. Clara was still asleep beside him, her breathing slow and even.
He lay there for a moment, listening to her, before carefully slipping out of bed. Downstairs, he found his parents waiting in the sitting room, the air filled with unspoken thoughts.
His father was the first to speak.
"So… what's the way forward?"
Ethan rubbed the back of his neck.
"Clara has never been the same since she gave up Cade," he said quietly. "She hides it well, but she's miserable. Only the truth, only facing that, can free her from that shadow hanging over her."
Margaret leaned forward, her tone wavering.
"Any progress with neutralizing the enemy? What's the strategy here?"
Ethan exhaled slowly.
"I don't want to alarm her. I don't want her to know Mateo is after her, not yet. I was hoping to buy some time. If we can finalize this soon, it will be great. For now, l'll take some time off work and stay home with her. Axiel will take a break from school and keep her company. That might be the safest way to keep them both close and happy."
Robert nodded.
"That's reasonable."