Chapter 9: sneaking into the house

The moon cast a silvery glow over the city as Ethan Sterling stood outside his grand mansion, clutching his phone in a tense grip. He had made a decision that weighed heavily on his mind, and now, he needed to ensure everything went smoothly.

"Is Mia asleep?" he inquired, his voice hushed as he spoke into the phone. On the other end of the line was Mike, his most trusted bodyguard.

"Yes, she is asleep," Mike replied, his voice equally subdued. He had initially considered mentioning that Mia was asleep on the sofa in the sitting room, but he hesitated, not wanting to complicate matters further.

Ethan breathed a sigh of relief. His plan hinged on his daughter's peaceful slumber, and knowing that she was safely asleep eased his worries. He thanked Mike before ending the call and proceeded to sneak into the house.

As he entered the spacious living room, his heart skipped a beat when he saw Mia, her small form curled up on the sofa, her innocent face illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the curtains. She had fallen asleep waiting for him, and a pang of guilt gripped Ethan's heart.

Carefully, so as not to disturb her, Ethan scooped Mia into his arms, cradling her gently. He moved with silent grace through the quiet house, his daughter's head resting against his shoulder. He couldn't help but marvel at the precious sight of her, her innocence a stark contrast to the complexities of his own life.

In Mia's bedroom, he laid her down on the bed with great tenderness, his eyes lingering on her as she continued to sleep soundly. The weight of his responsibilities as a father weighed heavily on his shoulders, and he knew he couldn't let her down.

Once he was satisfied that Mia was safe and sound, Ethan tiptoed toward the bedroom door, intending to slip out and leave her to her dreams. However, just as he was about to make his exit, he froze in his tracks.

In her sleep, Mia began to murmur softly, her small voice filled with longing. "Mommy... Mommy..."

Ethan clenched his jaw, his heart aching for his daughter's unspoken wish. He had promised to get her a mother, and he was determined to fulfill that promise, no matter the cost.

With newfound determination, he made his way to his office, where he picked up his phone and dialed Mike's number once again. "Mike, get me everything about Emily, both her past and background, by tomorrow morning," he instructed, his voice resolute. "I want it to be the first thing I see on my desk in the office."

Ethan was prepared to go to great lengths to find the right woman to fill the void in his daughter's heart, even if it meant delving into the past of a woman he had just met under the most unconventional circumstances