Chapter 36

"You're up early," I said, watching Ethan move through the kitchen as though his mind was elsewhere. He moved quickly and distractedly.

After giving me a quick look, he returned to preparing his coffee. "I couldn't sleep."

Sensing the stress radiating from him, I moved closer. For days now, really longer, this had been going on. He no longer gave me much attention, and when he did, there was a guarded expression in his eyes.

I tried to sound impartial as I spoke, saying, "You've been... distant. And I'm not referring to work here."

Ethan hesitated, his hand on the counter's edge. "Emily, I simply have a lot on my mind. The FBI, business, everything."

Refusing to let him get away with this again, I folded my arms. "That isn't it. You've been acting strange ever since that day. You seem to be waiting for something to happen because you are always observing me."

When he did look at me, it was difficult to read his face. "I only want to protect you."

I arched an eyebrow. "From what?"

The words died on his lips as he opened and closed his mouth. "Emily, there are things you don't understand."

I stepped closer and pressed, "Then help me understand. Speak to me. I'm getting weary of being in the dark since you've been excluding me."

Ethan's face was marked with fury as he ran a hand through his hair. "I can't... This company moves at a brutal pace that you can't possibly understand right now."

It stung that we were farther apart than before. I merely nodded, swallowing the rage that was about to explode since I had run out of things to say. "All right. But whatever it is that you are withholding from me, Ethan, will eventually come to light."

Even if he didn't answer, the silence was sufficient. We were being torn apart by something significant that he was not telling me.

The tension between us has not decreased at the office. Every look, every conversation felt tense. I was aware that he was attempting to shield me, but from what? And why was he unable to tell me directly?

Jack entered my office as I was going through a pile of reports, and as he shut the door behind him, his piercing eyes swept over me.

He sat down across from my desk and said, "Emily. We must speak."

I frowned and put the papers down. "What's happening?"

Jack folded his hands on his lap and leaned forward. "Recently, I've noticed some inconsistencies between you and Ethan. The way you interact, the way he's been hovering around you."

Despite my racing heart, I maintained a bland demeanor. "Jack, we are working together closely. Nothing about that is out of the ordinary."

With a suspicious tone, he questioned, "Is that all it is? Because Ethan has been acting erratic. More erratic than usual. I'm also concerned about the FBI's current situation."

Uncertain of how much to divulge, I hesitated. "Ethan is simply under stress. The investigation is getting to him."

Jack's eyes were sharp as he nodded slowly. "How are you doing, too?"

The question caught me off guard, and I blinked. "I'm all right."

Jack didn't seem persuaded. "Emily, I know you're involved in more than just business here. I've seen the way you two are with each other."

My heart began to race. "Jack, I..."

He interrupted by raising a hand and said, "I'm not accusing you of anything. Yet I'm worried. Lately, Ethan's actions have been... disturbing. He's keeping things from you, isn't he?"

Jack wasn't incorrect, despite my best efforts to deny it. Ethan had been aloof and evasive, and I shared Jack's confusion.

I said in a low voice, "I have no idea what's going on. He refuses to speak to me."

Jack leaned back in his chair and moaned. "That's what I was afraid of. Emily, you need to be careful. Ethan is involved in something risky. You're being drawn into something that might end up destroying you both."

Despite my nausea, I made myself remain composed. "Jack, I can manage it."

"Maybe," he muttered. "But can you handle him?"

His comments lingered in the atmosphere, profound and weighty. I had no idea how to respond to that. In all honesty, I wasn't sure I could continue to manage Ethan. Not while everything was going on.

I couldn't stop thinking about what Jack said. Take caution. Could I rely on Ethan? Was he genuinely protecting me, or was he entangling me in something from which I was unable to break free?

When the office became vacant, I felt completely worn out. I visited Ethan's office, wishing that this time we might engage in a significant conversation.

He was at his desk, gazing at his laptop when I entered. He didn't look up when I walked in.

"Ethan," I said as I closed the door.

He looked up, his face as reserved as ever. "What is it?"

"We need to talk."

He leaned back in his chair and moaned. "I thought we already had this conversation."

"No," I firmly answered. "We didn't. You shut me down like you always do, and I'm done with it. I have a right to know what's happening."

I could see the internal conflict in Ethan's eyes as his jaw tensed. He was still trying to protect me, but from what? And for how long?

His voice was low as he said, "I'm keeping you safe. You only need to know that."

Feeling uncertain, I replied, "I don't feel secure. Daily, I feel as though I'm being drawn further and further into a labyrinth of enigmas."

Ethan got up from his desk and approached me. His gaze was intense as he placed his hands on my shoulders. "Emily, you have to trust me. I'm doing this for you."

With my voice trembling, I replied, "But you're not telling me anything. You continue to exclude me, so how can I trust you?"

He turned away without responding, letting his hands fall off my shoulders. I had no idea how to close the gap that felt like a chasm between us.