Chapter 29: Clash of Priorities
The atmosphere in the Sterling household was charged with tension as Emily and Ethan found themselves at odds over their daily routines. Emily, fueled by her determination to maintain her independence, was growing frustrated with what she perceived as a confining environment.
"So you expect me to just stay home every day and do nothing?" Emily berated, her voice laced with frustration.
Ethan, sitting in his study room, watched her with an amused glint in his eyes. He replied calmly, "Do you have anything better to do?"
Emily felt her anger deflate as his words hit home. She had indeed been struggling to find a purpose beyond the responsibilities of her new role as Mia's stepmother.
But she wasn't ready to concede defeat just yet. Her determination flared once more, and she retorted, "It's not over yet."
With that, Emily slipped away, leaving Ethan in his study room. As he rubbed his forehead, he couldn't help but wonder if he had underestimated the challenges of their unconventional marriage.
In his solitude, Ethan grappled with the realization that he needed to find a way to balance Emily's desire for independence with his own expectations. He knew he couldn't simply confine her to the house without a sense of purpose.
Feeling a growing headache, Ethan picked up his phone and dialed his most trusted bodyguard's number. "Hello, Mike," he said, "come to my office."
Ethan knew that in order to make their marriage work, he would need to address Emily's need for autonomy and find a compromise that would allow them both to thrive in their unconventional partnership.