POV ETHAN

Ethan Colleri tunner ( Before)

Years ago, I discovered the hardest way to leave someone. I was forced to leave my brother and Caroline behind in order to survive. My brother became a stranger, collateral damage to my father's behavior, as did Caroline.

I came back for her seven years later. But she, like each of us, was no longer the same. My father had that effect on us. Tearing the goodness out of our hearts and replacing it with pure, vile poison. Sometimes I wonder if I had never left if they would have become what they are, if they would have taken the tortuous and bitter path that they did. I wonder if I myself would be a different me? Another Ethan.

- Do you understand why I need your description? - His voice comes out low and lethal. Nothing different from what you'd expect from a very successful CEO. The elegantly dressed woman of at least fifty in front of me blinks her blue eyes at me seriously as she sips her coffee.

- Yes, I understand, Madame Madeleine.

- Miss, please. I may be your mother's age, but I'm still young. - she said after a pause to swallow the flaming liquid. There was no hint of humor in her voice.

- As I said before, your daughter can stay on the estate until she decides to leave. This is part of an agreement between Lucian and me.

- Ah, yes. The father of the meddling blonde girl. - She shrugs her shoulders as if Vivian is nothing more.

I take a sip of whisky and focus my eyes on the glass door on the other side of the room.

- Yes, Lucian and I have been friends for a long time. - I say seriously, swirling the glass between my fingers. - She called me a few nights ago, asking for help and as far as I know, her daughter arrived a few hours ago at my priority.

I watch her features when I talk about her daughter. It was obvious that there were family problems there.

- I hate to say it out loud," Madeleine begins. - but it's the truth. - My daughter is inconsequential, Mr. Colleri, which is why she chose to leave home rather than face the consequences.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, a little annoyed by her words. I didn't know Nicole, apart from the beautiful photo she showed me, and yet it seemed wrong to talk about her like that.

- And what would those consequences be? - I ask.

The expression on his face becomes uncomfortable

- I honestly don't think she's going to take all this banter in her stride. - she warns. - I think she'll soon come to her senses and go home. She's never been able to act on her own and she's definitely not wise. So I just need you to take care of her while, I...uh - Her cheek muscles twitch as her eyes do something they've never done before while she's talking about her daughter Nicole - soften. - Take care of her while I can't.

Colleri, (currently)

The second my head cleared and things came back into focus, I knew I was in trouble. I had crossed a line that shouldn't have been crossed. I had to get out of there fast, so I grabbed my things and tried to get back to New York. It hurt, but things would have been much worse if I'd stayed.

The moment she walked through my door, weeks ago, and said her name. Something in me shuddered. It was unnatural, devastating, insane. I didn't even care about the fucking salted coffee that nearly killed me. The moment I saw her, all I cared about was her. No photo on social media could do justice to her beauty. No perfume in the world could do justice to her natural sweet smell. No melody could replace the soft note of her voice. No shade of blue could be as warm and beautiful as the color of her eyes. Nicole exuded innocence, purity and elegance. She was the semblance of wealth and elegance. Her velvety skin and well-groomed hair, her education and lack of skill with any homemaking activity didn't hide the fact that she was truly from a wealthy family. But she shuddered briefly every time I talked about family. This suggested that the problems Madeleine spoke of were deeper than I had expected. Her mother asked me for weekly updates, but gradually realized that her daughter wasn't going to back down.

Madeleine had an undeniable arrogance and piercing blue eyes that for some reason didn't hide her suffering. And she looked tired when she came to terms with reality.

- She's not coming back. - She moves closer, keeping her gaze connected with mine the whole time. - That's why I need you to do something for me. I'll pay you as much money as you need.

My eyebrows draw together at her strange request. I wouldn't accept anything from her, but I would listen to what she had to say.

- Nicole has problems with her mother figure. - Let her know. - Maybe because you're older she'll listen to you. - I see the dark gleam in her pupils, the flash of warning.

- Yes, - I clear my throat, of course. - But so far she's done nothing but clean the house.

And salt my coffee - I don't say it, but the thought brings a shy smile to my lips.

Madeleine seems to read my thoughts.

- Yes, and you're still a man. - The sneer in her voice is thick and condescending. - Then assure me that you won't touch my daughter. She's got enough problems as it is. And I don't want to have to ask Lucian to intervene, if you know what I mean. Nicole may seem prudent, but she's just a spoiled seventeen-year-old. I've tried to help as much as I can, but unfortunately now she'll have to deal with her own choices. It's too late anyway.

There's nothing friendly in her words, but there's no malice either. She just sounds like a mother worried about her daughter.

And she definitely should be. Because I've never been so tempted to have something I can't in my life as I am with Nicole.

It was only when I realized that she was too good for me that I made the decision that would change us both forever. I would leave her, but not forever. There would be the right time for me to claim her.