When Contracts Turn to Forbidden Kisses Chapter 158

Amelia

I glanced around the elevator as we all packed in, Sophie chatting animatedly beside me while Olivia adjusted her designer sunglasses. The kids were excited about dinner.

"So where's Mr. Perfect tonight?" Sophie asked, nudging me playfully. "Too busy with million-dollar deals to join us mere mortals for dinner?"

"He had some work thing come up," I said, trying to hide my disappointment. "He hasn't been at the company for days, so he's probably got a lot on his plate."

The elevator doors opened to the mezzanine level where Black Rose Restaurant occupied the entire floor. The maître d' recognized us immediately and led our group through the main dining area to a private room in the back. When he opened the door, I froze in my tracks.

Ethan was already seated at the head of the table, casually reviewing something on his phone. He looked up and smiled, and my heart did that annoying flutter it always did when he surprised me.

"You're here," I blurted out, aware of how stupid that sounded the moment it left my mouth.

"Clearly," he replied, standing to greet me. His eyes never left mine as he approached, that intensity making my skin warm. "I managed to rearrange some things. Thought I'd surprise you."

He leaned in close, his lips brushing against my ear. "I missed you." His hand found the back of my neck, fingers gently pressing into that sensitive spot he knew so well.

"Oh my god," Olivia and Noah groaned in perfect unison from behind us. "Get a room."

Sophie slipped past me, giving Ethan a conspiratorial pat on the arm. "Keep it up," she whispered, not quite quietly enough.

"Children present," I reminded everyone, though I couldn't stop smiling as we all took our seats.

Ethan's hand found mine under the table, our fingers intertwining naturally. The waiters began bringing out plates of appetizers, and I watched as Ethan carefully selected items and placed them on my plate.

"You need to eat more," he said, adding another stuffed mushroom to my already full plate.

"I'll explode if I eat all this," I protested, but took a bite anyway.

Noah, seeing Ethan's gesture, began preparing a plate of seafood for Olivia and carefully cutting pieces for Ella.

"Look at you, playing dad," Olivia teased, but her eyes softened when Noah helped Ella with her napkin.

"You're not the only one who can multitask," Noah shot back with a wink.

I watched as Ethan methodically peeled a large shrimp, his focus absolute despite his still-healing hand. He placed it on my plate, his expression serious.

"What?" I asked, curious about his intense concentration.

"Just making sure you're taken care of," he said simply. "What others have, you'll always have more. Never less."

The sincerity in his voice made me swallow hard.

Sophie groaned loudly, breaking the moment. "I'm drowning in a sea of couple cuteness over here. It's like being force-fed romance."

"Don't blame me," Olivia protested. "Noah's the one who's suddenly transformed into Mr. Romance."

"Only because she rewards me properly," Noah said with a suggestive smirk that made Olivia blush.

"So, Sophie," I quickly changed the subject, "how's your mystery man? Any progress?"

Sophie stabbed at her salad with unnecessary force. "No progress."

She brightened suddenly. "Hey, why don't we have a girls' card night later? The guys can watch the kids. I'm in the mood to take your money at poker."

"But Noah and I were going to watch that new thriller that just dropped," Olivia pouted, leaning into Noah's side.

Noah rubbed her shoulder. "We can reschedule. I'll wait up for you."

"Promise?" Olivia asked, her voice dropping an octave.

"Jesus Christ," Ethan muttered under his breath.

After dinner, Ethan gathered up the kids, promising them a movie marathon in our suite. I kissed Lucas and Ella goodbye, touched by how naturally Ethan had stepped into his role as their father.

Just as we were having a great time, the doorbell rang. Rachel, who Sophie had invited over, was standing at the door, and to our surprise, James was right behind her, looking a bit serious.

Rachel immediately accepted the glass of wine Sophie offered her, and then another. By her third glass, her cheeks were flushed and her voice had risen.

What started as playful banter between her and James quickly escalated into a full-blown argument.

"You read my diary!" Rachel accused, pointing an unsteady finger at James. "You and Dad went through my things and then beat up my boyfriend!"

"That guy was twenty-two and you were sixteen," James shot back, his usually cool demeanor cracking. "He was using you, Rachel. You tried to slit your wrists when we sent him away!"

Rachel's face paled. "What do you mean?"

"He was after Dad's money," James said more quietly. "We found the texts, Rachel. He was planning to get you pregnant."

I watched as understanding dawned on Rachel's face, years of resentment transforming into shock.

"You never told me," she whispered. "I thought you were just controlling me."

“You took off to Boston before we could explain,” James said, his voice rough with emotion. “You wouldn’t pick up our calls. When you finally came back, your parents didn’t even wanna bring it up anymore. I just wanted you to come home and see them while I was in the car.”

The room fell silent as the siblings stared at each other, the weight of years of misunderstanding hanging between them.

"I'm sorry," Rachel finally said, tears spilling onto her cheeks. James awkwardly patted her shoulder, his own eyes suspiciously bright.

As they reconciled, I felt a hollow ache in my chest. Rachel had a family who'd gone to extreme lengths to protect her, even if their methods were flawed. After my mother died, I'd had no one but my grandfather who truly cared about me. My father and Margaret had only ever shown me cruelty and calculation.

Later, when I returned to our suite, I found Ethan waiting up for me.

"The kids?" I asked automatically.

"Asleep in the second bedroom," he confirmed, patting the spot beside him on the couch. "What's wrong? You look upset."

I sank down next to him, the emotions I'd been holding back spilling out. I told him about Rachel and James, about the revelation that had healed their relationship.

"It just made me think about my own family," I admitted, my voice catching. "How different things might have been if my dad had protected me that way."

Ethan pulled me against his chest, his heartbeat steady under my ear. "I can't change your past," he said softly, "but I promise you this - from now on, you'll never lack for protection or love. Not while I'm breathing."

In the warmth of his embrace, I felt the hard knot of pain inside me begin to loosen, just a little. Maybe some wounds never fully heal, but having someone who understood made them easier to bear.