Breaking Through His Walls

runk as a donkey - clinging tightly to Ethan

badly she must have drunk. Christian, who was already at the mansion, made wa

ng, only stood there watching her for a while before gent

d his hand and squeezed tigh

himself, It will

f letting her in would finally break him. If something were ever to h

curious about the delay, walked in - and stopped

ked out, leaving Ethan standi

ime, Ethan l

sually, though his eyes sought

e's okay now," Ethan replied quickl

ook it as a

d back to the first night with Lena - where it all started. Part of him blamed himsel

motional turmoil, chose not t

ing no one ever mana

reaking

Ethan and watched him sil

n said lightly. "And I don

aintly. "Yeah.

for the day ahead. Christian stood up t

your bedroom?" Christ

I can man

like ten bedr

ad slightly, voice

, I think she deserves some space now. Also, I don't want her seeing me wa

n hummed

y. I'll sleep here too.

Ethan mumbled bef

-

sunlight streamed

n, tucked in neatly with Ethan's jacket over her. She inspected

a knock at

," Lena

ered, smil

You're awake. I checke

Clara?" L

her day of

se her headache. Lena took it, then

d down to the dining table - and was surprised to se

he said, taking a

u too," he replied

trying to read

.?" she b

answered i

od," she sig

Lena?"

ant to be unconscious if it happened - not that i

kled under

I b

e before anything could

W

hristian

d I embarr

l," Ethan said, "but I thi

al note to thank

a video call from her brothe

e hadn't picked up because he was already asleep. They chatte

ing like a mo

otect you, at least until you'

nge quietly, a faint sm

ended, Lena cau

ine," Ethan

. I can't wait

What did your mom look like?"

miled

, but the look in Ethan

That was a

head. "You lo

swall

she passed away in an accident with my dad. Aud

sor

losing them, but here I am. I was eighteen

ilent for a

d's in a home. His choic

pau

his voice

rd she

hea

nod

... lost my memory of her. I only know what she looks like from p

retched be

, as if to brush it off. He

from a distance, saw

t he's ever let som

ould really

ead bent low over his desk. She watche

nd made his way to the

-