Chapter 20
I once heard that after betrayal, women harden themselves completely before moving on.
Men, on the other hand, might take much longer to realize what they’ve lost before experiencing true regret.
Ethan’s regret seemed to come far too late.
After losing Sofia and watching his family’s territory shrink, he suddenly started appearing around me with increasing desperation.
I had no idea what excuse he gave the remaining Moretti soldiers, but he kept showing up in Miami.
He began sending me all sorts of security intel–Rossi movements, police raids,
territory vulnerabilities–which Antonio found extremely valuable.
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He would position himself near our operations, refusing to leave no matter how much our security tried to remove him.
Whenever he managed to get close to me, he’d try to convince me of imminent threats and offer Moretti protection.
Logan was so irritated by Ethan’s constant presence that he’d established a special protocol just for “Moretti sightings.”
Occasionally he’d make protective comments that revealed deeper feelings that
both touched and troubled me.
Don Moretti also reached out through intermediaries several times, saying the
family was in disarray.
Ethan had neglected critical operations, and if this continued, the Moretti family might lose everything to the Rossis.
He begged me to at least speak with his son.
I was beyond frustrated, unable to understand what Ethan truly wanted.
Initially, he had been so eager to build his family empire and forge new alliances, and now he was back playing the devoted protector.
I decided to confront him directly, with Antonio’s permission and Logan’s team providing backup.
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When Ethan realized I was finally willing to speak with him, his relief was palpable. “Emma, why is it okay for these Vasquez soldiers to protect you, but not me? “How long have they even known you? We’ve known each other for how many
years?
“In this whole world, besides my father, no one understands you better than I do. No one will protect you better than I can.
His words made me laugh bitterly. I challenged him:
“Ethan, do you really not remember what you did?
“Be honest with yourself–have you ever truly valued me as an equal?
“You just enjoyed the power of having the adopted girl serve your family faithfully. You thought no matter how you treated me, I’d never leave. You played with my loyalty like it was nothing.”
Hitting the nerve, Ethan became even more emotional:
“Yes, I made mistakes.
“I was young then. The alliance with the Rossis seemed like the path to expansion, and I didn’t want to acknowledge what was right in front of me.
“I owe you a formal apology. Emma, I’m sorry for how I treated you.”
Ethan’s face was earnest as his tone softened into a plea:
“But even if you see me as an enemy now, don’t I deserve a chance to make
amends?
“After losing you, the family has been falling apart. I can’t imagine a future where you’re fighting against us, where my father loses everything he built.”
The ocean breeze was strong, making my hair whip around my face. I thought
silently for a long time before responding.
“To be honest, since joining the Vasquez family, I’ve discovered what true
belonging feels like.
“I can be myself openly, without my worth being questioned because I lack the right bloodline. And that made me realize:
“Perhaps my desperate need to please the Morettis was just that–the insecurity of
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an orphaned child.”
Ethan stood stunned, as if struck by lightning.
After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice filled with desperation.
“But we swore blood oaths together. We promised to build the Moretti empire together, expand territories together, rule together. Are you truly choosing the Vasquez family over us?”
I felt momentarily conflicted, nodding and then shaking my head.
“You broke those oaths first. Besides, I’ve found a family that values me for who I am, not just what I can do for them.”
Ethan looked devastated, his eyes revealing genuine pain.
“Stop, Emma, please. Just stop. At least consider helping us against the Rossis.” Seeing his defeated expression, I couldn’t help offering one final piece of advice. “Maybe you don’t really need me. You just can’t stand losing your family’s power. “Ethan, it’s time for you to rebuild on your own.”
I didn’t wait for his response.
Logan had been waiting for me with our security team across the street for quite some time.
I walked over to them, and Logan immediately positioned himself protectively
beside me.
“Finally finished with the Moretti heir? Did you tell him all your loyalty is now exclusively with the Vasquez family?”
I laughed, though somewhere deep inside, a small part of me ached for what might have been.
Looking back one last time, I saw Ethan still standing alone by the ocean. People passed by on the street–some making alliances, others becoming
enemies.
Ethan and I had finally chosen our sides in this dangerous game, our paths diverging completely.
But in our world, paths have a way of crossing again, when least expected.
