Ethan’s mind raced as he struggled to make sense of the scene before him. It felt like his world had been ripped apart, the life he thought he knew shattered in an instant. The woman he had once trusted, shared dreams with, and built a life alongside was now a stranger—a stranger who had crossed a line that could never be undone.
His gaze shifted to his mother, Margaret. Her eyes, usually warm and comforting, were now clouded with fear and pain. Seeing her vulnerable ignited a protective instinct within Ethan, one stronger than anything he had felt before. She had been his anchor, nurturing his dreams through every challenge. There was no way he could allow anyone to harm her.
Carefully, he helped Margaret back into her wheelchair, his hands gentle yet steady. “Mom, it’s okay. I’ve got you,” he whispered, his voice soft despite the fury burning inside him. Margaret nodded, gratitude and pain reflected in her eyes, and a silent understanding passed between them.
Turning back to Olivia, Ethan felt a cold resolve settle in his chest. “This is unforgivable,” he said, each word precise, carrying the weight of his decision. “I want you out of this house.”
Olivia’s eyes widened, panic and disbelief etched across her face. “Ethan, please,” she pleaded, her voice trembling. “We can work through this. It was a mistake!”
Ethan shook his head, his expression unyielding. “A mistake is forgetting an anniversary, Olivia. This… this is assault. Against my mother. There’s no coming back from this.”
A heavy silence filled the room, broken only by Margaret’s uneven breathing. Ethan’s heart ached—not for Olivia, but for the life he had thought they shared. The truth was bitter: the woman he loved had inflicted harm on the one person he cherished most.
Olivia finally lowered her head, the gravity of her actions sinking in. Her once-proud demeanor crumbled, replaced by a quiet defeat that mirrored the enormity of what she had done.
Ethan’s voice was steady as he continued, “I’ll make arrangements for you to stay at a hotel. We’ll discuss everything else later, but for now, I need you out of here.”
Olivia nodded silently, tears streaming down her face. The woman who had once brought light and laughter into his life now seemed distant and small. She gathered her belongings, each step a haunting reminder of what had been lost.
