Chapter 8 - The Woman Who Refused to Become His Second WifeSix months later, Ethan had changed enough that people began noticing.
The old Ethan had wanted control.
The new Ethan wanted stability.
He called Vivian before making major decisions.
Not because he was afraid.
Because he respected her.
One evening they attended a charity dinner together.
A journalist approached.
“Are you two back together?”
Ethan smiled.
“No.”
Vivian raised an eyebrow.
“Yet.”
He looked at her.
She laughed.
The journalist walked away.
Vivian whispered:
“You're impossible.”
“I know.”
Later that night, he walked her to her car.
“Can I ask you something?”
“You just did.”
He laughed.
“Do you think we could ever…”
She waited.
“…try again?”
Vivian looked at him.
“Marriage?”
“Yes.”
She was silent.
“Why?”
“Because I love you.”
She didn't respond.
“Still?”
“Yes.”
She looked away.
“I loved you too.”
“I know.”
“But love wasn't enough.”
“I know.”
“You hurt me.”
“I know.”
“You made me doubt myself.”
“I know.”
“And I had to rebuild an entire life to remember who I was.”
He swallowed.
“I know.”
Vivian looked at him.
“Then why would I marry you again?”
He smiled sadly.
“I don't know.”
“Good.”
He laughed.
“You're brutal.”
“You need to earn the answer.”
“How?”
“By proving the man I loved still exists.”
“I'll try.”
“No.”
“What?”
“Don't try.”
She stepped closer.
“Do it.”
He nodded.
So he did.
For months.
No pressure.
No grand gestures.
No diamonds.
No magazine covers.
Just consistency.
Then one afternoon, Ethan appeared at Cross Meridian carrying lunch.
“You're working.”
“Yes.”
“You forgot to eat.”
“I had coffee.”
“That's not food.”
She smiled.
“You remember.”
“I remember everything.”
He placed the lunch on her desk.
Then left.
Another week, he fixed a problem at one of their warehouses without asking for credit.
Another month, he attended Ava's school event.
Ava wasn't Ethan's daughter.
But Vivian's niece.
The child adored him.
She called him Mr. E.
One evening, Ava asked:
“Mom, why doesn't Mr. E live with us?”
Vivian nearly choked.
Ethan laughed.
“That's a complicated question.”
Ava frowned.
“I can wait.”
Vivian smiled.
“Go finish your homework.”
The child ran away.
Ethan looked at Vivian.
“You never told her.”
“Because nothing is decided.”
He nodded.
“That's fair.”
Then he reached into his pocket.
Vivian froze.
“If that's a ring, I'm leaving.”
He laughed.
“No ring.”
He opened his hand.
A key.
“What is it?”
“A house.”
“You bought a house?”
“Yes.”
“For whom?”
“For you.”
She stared.
“I don't want a house.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“Because it isn't yours.”
She frowned.
“Whose is it?”
“Ours.”
Vivian looked away.
He continued.
“You spent seven years living in my home.”
“This time, I want us to build one together.”
She swallowed.
“No penthouse?”
“No.”
“No magazine cover?”
“No.”
“No giant wedding?”
“No.”
“What then?”
He smiled.
“Dinner.”
She laughed through tears.
“That sounds like a proposal.”
“It is.”
“You said no ring.”
“There isn't one.”
“Then what are you proposing with?”
“My behavior.”
She stared at him.
For the first time in years, she believed him.
Not because he had promised.
Because he had changed.
She stepped closer.
“One date.”
He smiled.
“One date?”
“Earn the second.”
May you like
He nodded.
“Deal.”
