Ethan:
The silence between Ethan and Adrian didn't last.
It shattered.
Adrian's smile faded as he took a slow step back, his eyes narrowing.
"You really think you're walking out of here with her?" he said coldly.
Ethan didn't answer.
He moved.
Fast.
Adrian reacted instantly, pulling out a gun—
But Ethan was already in front of him.
A sharp strike to his wrist—
The gun slipped from Adrian's hand, hitting the floor with a metallic clang.
Adrian stepped back, his expression darkening.
"Kill him!" he shouted.
From the shadows—
More men rushed in.
Armed.
Ready.
Gunshots echoed through the garage again.
Yuna flinched weakly, her head dropping slightly as her vision blurred further.
"Ethan…" she whispered.
But he was already in the middle of it.
---
The fight turned brutal.
Close.
Relentless.
Ethan moved like a machine—precise, calculated, deadly.
One man lunged forward—
Ethan dodged, grabbing his arm and twisting it sharply before striking him down.
Another came from behind—
A quick turn—
A blow—
He dropped instantly.
Gunfire sparked against metal surfaces.
The smell of smoke mixed with dust and blood.
Adrian picked up another weapon and aimed—
But Ethan kicked a metal rod toward him, forcing him to stumble back.
Their eyes locked.
This wasn't just a fight.
It was personal.
Adrian rushed him—
Ethan met him head-on.
Their fists collided.
A heavy punch landed.
Then another.
Adrian fought back fiercely, landing a hit across Ethan's jaw.
Ethan didn't react.
He grabbed Adrian's collar and slammed him against the wall.
Hard.
Concrete cracked slightly.
Adrian groaned but pushed back, striking Ethan's side.
The fight grew more intense.
Faster.
More dangerous.
---
Then—
More footsteps.
Gunshots echoed again—
But this time—
Not aimed at Ethan.
Men behind Adrian started dropping one by one.
Adrian's expression shifted.
"What—"
From the entrance—
Luca walked in.
Gun in hand.
His face cold.
Deadly.
"I told you he wouldn't be alone," Luca muttered.
Behind him, a few of his trusted men moved in silently, finishing off the remaining threats.
The balance shifted instantly.
Adrian's men fell quickly under the combined force.
Within moments—
The garage was filled with silence again.
Bodies scattered.
Smoke lingering in the air.
Adrian stood there—
Breathing heavily.
Injured.
Blood visible near his side.
Luca wasn't untouched either.
A shot had grazed his arm, blood slowly soaking through his sleeve.
But he ignored it.
His eyes were locked on Adrian.
"So this is the man," Luca said coldly.
Ethan stepped forward.
Adrian tried to move—
But Ethan's fist came down hard.
A brutal punch straight to his face.
Adrian staggered back, falling to his knees.
Ethan didn't stop.
He grabbed him again and landed another punch.
And another.
Years of control.
Of silence.
Of restraint—
Breaking.
Luca watched.
Didn't stop him.
Because Adrian deserved it.
Finally—
Ethan pulled out his gun.
Pointed it directly at Adrian's head.
The garage went still.
Adrian laughed weakly, blood on his lips.
"Go on…"
Ethan's finger tightened on the trigger.
His eyes—
Cold.
Empty.
Ready to kill.
But then—
A hand grabbed his arm.
"Enough."
Luca.
Ethan didn't look at him.
"Move."
"No."
Ethan's jaw tightened.
"He dies."
Luca shook his head.
"Not like this."
A pause.
Then—
Sirens.
Loud.
Approaching.
Ethan's gaze flickered slightly.
Luca lowered his voice.
"Let the police take him."
For a moment—
It felt like Ethan wouldn't listen.
Like he'd pull the trigger anyway.
But then—
Slowly—
He lowered the gun.
Adrian smirked weakly.
"You should've killed me…"
Ethan looked down at him.
His voice was low.
"You're not worth it."
---
Police rushed into the garage.
Weapons raised.
The head officer stepped forward.
Luca gave him a small nod.
That was enough.
Adrian was grabbed, handcuffed.
The remaining men—those still alive—were taken too.
The chaos slowly settled.
---
Ethan turned.
His eyes searched—
Until they found her.
Yuna.
Still tied.
Still weak.
Still trembling.
He walked toward her quickly.
The moment he reached her—
He knelt down.
His hands moved to the ropes, untying them carefully.
"Yuna…"
Her head lifted slightly.
Her vision was blurred.
But she saw him.
"…Ethan…"
A faint, broken smile appeared on her lips.
"You… came…"
Her voice was barely there.
He didn't respond.
He just untied the last knot.
Then—
He lifted her.
Gently.
Like she would break if he held her too tightly.
Yuna's head rested against his chest.
Her breathing uneven.
"I knew… you would…" she whispered.
Her fingers weakly clutched his shirt.
Then—
Her body went limp.
"Yuna."
No response.
"She fainted," Luca said from behind, holding his injured arm.
Ethan didn't look back.
He adjusted his hold on her.
"She needs treatment."
"I'll call—"
"No."
Luca stopped.
Ethan's voice was firm.
"I'm taking her."
Luca understood immediately.
"…Your private place."
Ethan didn't answer.
He just walked out.
---
The drive was fast.
Silent.
Tense.
Ethan didn't take his eyes off her even once.
Her pale face.
The faint blood on her neck.
Her weak breathing.
His grip tightened slightly.
"Stay with me," he muttered quietly.
---
They arrived at his secret home hospital.
Hidden.
Secure.
Known only to him.
Doctors rushed immediately.
"She's unconscious—possible trauma, dehydration, minor injuries—"
"Treat her."
His voice allowed no delay.
She was placed on the bed carefully.
Monitors attached.
Treatment started.
Ethan stood there.
Watching.
Not moving.
Until finally—
The doctor turned to him.
"She'll be fine."
Only then—
Ethan moved.
He walked to the bed.
Sat down beside her.
Close.
Silent.
His eyes stayed on her face.
His hand rested lightly near hers—
Not touching fully.
Just… there.
For the first time since everything started—
Ethan didn't give orders.
Didn't think about enemies.
Didn't think about consequences.
He just sat there.
Beside Yuna.
Waiting for her to wake up.