Ann sat at the edge of the grand king-sized bed, her fingers tangled in the silk sheets as the weight of her thoughts pressed down on her shoulders. The faint city lights streamed through the enormous windows of the penthouse, casting soft shadows on the walls. She could hear the distant hum of traffic below, but it was nothing compared to the storm raging in her mind.
Just hours ago, she had found a letter. It wasn't addressed to her, but her name was scribbled on the top corner in Ethan's unmistakable handwriting. He had hidden it in his office drawer, the same drawer that she had no business opening. But curiosity had gotten the better of her — or maybe it was the nagging feeling that something was off.
Now, as she read the last line of the letter for the hundredth time, her heart thudded so loudly she thought it would burst out of her chest.
"Ann, forgive me for keeping this from you. When the time is right, you'll know everything. —Ethan"
Everything? What did that even mean? Hadn't they been through enough secrets already? Ethan had promised — no more lies. No more hidden truths. And yet, here she was, sitting alone, her faith crumbling piece by piece.
She jumped when the door to the bedroom creaked open. Ethan walked in, his tall frame filling the doorway. His suit jacket was draped over his arm, his tie slightly loosened, his hair disheveled from running his hands through it a million times — his telltale sign of stress.
His eyes landed on the letter in her hands immediately.
"Ann…" His voice was deep, cautious.
She looked up, her eyes glassy. "When were you going to tell me?"
He sighed, stepping closer. "I was protecting you."
Ann let out a short, humorless laugh. "Protecting me? By lying to me? Again?"
Ethan sat down beside her, but she flinched, shifting away from him. The distance stabbed at his heart. He reached for her hand, but she pulled it back.
"Ann, listen to me. That letter — it's not what you think."
"Then tell me what it is!" she demanded, her voice cracking. "Tell me what you've been hiding this time. Is it about your family? Your company? Another threat?"
Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose, fighting for composure. He had built an empire, destroyed enemies, and bent powerful men to their knees — but here he was, helpless in front of the only woman who mattered.
"It's… complicated."
Ann stood abruptly. "No, Ethan. It's simple. You tell me, or I walk out that door."
He stared at her. She had never looked more serious. The thought of her leaving sent a shiver of dread through him. He rose too, towering over her, but Ann didn't back down.
After what felt like forever, he finally spoke. "It's about my father."
Ann frowned. "Your father? I thought he died years ago."
Ethan nodded. "He did. Or at least… that's what everyone thinks."
Ann's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
Ethan raked a hand through his hair again, then began pacing the room like a restless predator. "He's alive, Ann. He's alive, and he's been hiding for the past fifteen years."
Ann's knees buckled, and she sank back onto the bed. "Why? Why would he do that?"
Ethan exhaled, a harsh, bitter sound. "He faked his death. He wanted to escape his enemies — and his responsibilities. He left everything behind. Including me. Including my mother."
Ann's heart broke at the raw pain in his voice. She softened slightly but stayed silent, letting him talk.
"I found out three years ago," Ethan continued. "I've been tracking him ever since. That letter…" He gestured to the paper in her hands. "It's part of my plan to bring him back. He owes me — us — an explanation. But I didn't want you involved. He's dangerous, Ann. He's not like the enemies you've seen. He's family — which makes him ten times more dangerous."
Ann swallowed hard. "And you were going to face him alone?"
Ethan's eyes burned into hers. "Yes. I couldn't risk you getting hurt."
Ann shook her head, tears slipping down her cheeks. "But I'm already hurt, Ethan. Every time you shut me out, it's like you're telling me I don't matter enough to stand by your side."
He stepped closer, kneeling before her, his large hands cupping her face. "You matter more than anything. Don't you see? That's why I keep you away from this darkness."
She held his wrists, feeling the tremor in his hands. "I didn't marry you to be protected from you, Ethan. I married you because I love you — all of you. Even the parts that scare me."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence wrapped around them like a suffocating blanket.
Ethan pressed his forehead to hers, his voice hoarse. "I'm sorry. I'm so damn sorry."
Ann closed her eyes, breathing him in — his warmth, his scent, the pain he carried. She wanted to be angry. She wanted to push him away. But she couldn't. Not when she could feel his heart breaking against hers.
Finally, she whispered, "Promise me. No more secrets."
Ethan nodded, his lips brushing her forehead. "No more secrets."
But in the depths of his mind, he knew there were still things she could never know. Things that could destroy her if she ever found out. He would carry that burden alone — no matter the cost.
Later that night, Ann lay curled up beside him. Sleep tugged at her, but her mind refused to rest. She could feel Ethan's heartbeat under her palm. It was steady, strong — but she knew his mind was far from calm.
"Ethan?" she murmured into the dark.
"Mm?"
"If your father is alive… does that mean he's coming for you?"
Ethan's jaw tightened. "He won't get the chance."
Ann sat up, frowning. "What do you mean?"
Ethan opened his eyes, those dark orbs glinting dangerously even in the shadows. "If he steps foot in my city, I'll make sure he regrets ever breathing again."
Ann shivered. She had seen Ethan ruthless before, but there was a cold finality in his tone now that sent a chill down her spine.
She cupped his face, forcing him to look at her. "Promise me you won't become like him."
He caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "I won't. Because I have you. You're the only reason I haven't drowned in this darkness."
Tears welled up again, but this time they were warm, a strange mix of fear and love.
Outside, thunder rumbled in the distance, echoing the storm inside their home. The city slept unaware that its deadliest king was at war with his own blood — and that his queen was the only thing keeping him tethered to the light.
The next morning, Ann woke to find Ethan gone. His side of the bed was cold. She sat up, blinking sleep from her eyes, and found a note on his pillow.
"Had to meet someone. Stay inside. Security is tight. I'll be back before you know it. I love you. —E."
Ann's chest tightened. She had a feeling this "someone" wasn't a business partner. She knew better than to call him — he wouldn't answer. She could only wait.
Or could she?
Her gaze drifted to the letter she had hidden under her pillow — the same one she had pretended to give back. If Ethan wouldn't tell her everything, maybe she would find out herself.
She slipped out of bed, her bare feet silent on the marble floor. She needed to know who his father was. What he looked like. Where he was hiding.
She needed to protect Ethan — even if it meant going behind his back.
Because for once, Ann realized — she wasn't just married to the deadly CEO.
She was his match.
And she would fight for him, no matter what secrets he tried to bury.