“Don’t you dare touch her.”

Ethan’s voice cut through the air like ice. Sharp. Commanding.

His eyes locked onto the men surrounding Isabella. They froze under his glare. The aggression in their posture vanished instantly.

Sophia’s face went pale.

“Ethan?” Her voice shook. “What are you doing here?”

“If I hadn’t arrived, what were you planning to do?” His tone was cold. Empty.

She opened her mouth. No sound came out.

His voice dropped lower. “This is your final warning. Stay away from Isabella. Next time, there will be consequences.”

Sophia trembled. She knew he meant it. Clenching her jaw, she turned sharply.

“We’re leaving.” She stormed off, her followers scrambling behind her.

Once they were gone, Ethan turned to Isabella. He took in her pale face. Something painful flickered in his gaze.

“Are you hurt?” he asked softly.

She shook her head. “I’m okay.”

He hesitated. “I should have been here sooner.”

“It’s not your fault.” She drew a slow breath, steadying herself. “But thank you.”

His expression softened. “Since when do we thank each other?”

She looked away. A simple thank you couldn’t fix what was broken between them. She needed to leave. To put space between them before she got lost in him again.

But his presence held her. An invisible force. His gaze was unwavering. She couldn’t move.

She knew the danger. Sophia’s madness. Victoria’s cruelty. And most of all—Ethan’s uncertain heart.

Isabella stepped into the elevator. Her mind raced. She gripped the railing until her knuckles turned white.

Stay calm. Think logically. Don’t fall for him again.

She reached her apartment and locked the door quickly. Shutting herself inside. Alone.

Outside, Ethan stood motionless. His eyes fixed on where she had disappeared. He didn’t move. Lost in thought.

A heavy sigh escaped him. Exhaustion. Regret.

There was no path back for them. The wounds from three years ago ran too deep. No matter what he did, the pain he caused still remained.

He pulled out his phone and called Benjamin.

“Assign a team to watch Isabella. Keep her safe.”

“Understood, Mr. Blackwood,” Benjamin replied.

Even after hanging up, Ethan’s mood didn’t lift. Memories haunted him. Warnings from the past.

“You’ll regret this, Ethan. You’ll lose her forever.”

He had laughed then. Now, he knew it was true. The regret was crushing.

If he hadn’t misjudged her three years ago. If he hadn’t pushed her away. Liam could have been his son. They could have been a family.