Ethan:
The meeting was set in one of the old estates—far from the city, surrounded by silence and guarded like a fortress.
Ethan stepped out of the car without hesitation.
The air there always felt heavier.
Familiar.
But not in a way that brought comfort.
Inside, everything was exactly as he remembered—cold marble floors, dim lighting, and men standing at every corner like shadows.
Nothing changed in that house.
And neither did the man waiting for him.
His father.
Ethan walked into the main hall.
He was already there.
Sitting.
Calm.
Untouchable.
A glass of drink in his hand, his posture relaxed—but his presence alone was enough to command everything around him.
"…You came," his father said without looking up.
Ethan didn't respond to that.
He stepped forward and sat across from him.
Silence stretched for a moment.
Then his father finally looked at him.
His gaze was sharp.
Calculating.
"You've been busy."
"Yes."
"Too busy to report?"
"I handle my own territory."
A faint smirk appeared on his father's lips.
"Still the same."
Ethan didn't react.
"Let's talk business," his father continued, setting the glass down.
And just like that—
The conversation shifted.
Cold.
Precise.
They spoke about territories.
Deals.
Movements.
Profits.
And then—
The darker side.
"There's a problem in the eastern line," his father said. "Someone's interfering."
"I know."
"Then handle it."
"I will."
His father leaned back slightly.
"…How?"
Ethan's voice didn't change.
"Remove them."
A pause.
Then—
"How many?"
"Enough."
His father smiled faintly.
"That's vague."
"It's effective."
Silence.
Then his father nodded slowly.
"Good."
The conversation continued like that—
Numbers.
Names.
Control.
And then—
Kills.
Cold discussions about people as if they were nothing more than obstacles.
"If they don't comply?" his father asked.
"They won't exist."
No hesitation.
No emotion.
That was how Ethan had learned.
From him.
---
After a while, the conversation slowed.
Shifted.
From business—
To something else.
His father picked up his glass again.
"You're not getting any younger."
Ethan's gaze didn't change.
"That's irrelevant."
"It's not."
A pause.
Then—
"It's time you get married."
Ethan didn't respond.
Not immediately.
His father continued anyway.
"I've found someone suitable."
Still silence.
"She comes from a powerful family," he added. "Connections. Influence. And more importantly—profit."
Ethan's fingers tightened slightly on the arm of the chair.
"This isn't a discussion."
"It is," his father corrected calmly. "Because I'm telling you what will happen."
Ethan's jaw tightened.
"I'm not interested."
His father's gaze sharpened.
"You don't get to decide that."
Silence.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Then his father leaned forward slightly.
"This alliance will expand everything we have," he said. "A joint business. Shared power. The future becomes stronger."
Ethan didn't look convinced.
But he didn't argue further either.
Because he knew—
This wasn't just about business.
It never was.
His father's voice lowered slightly.
"…Don't make this difficult."
Ethan's eyes met his.
Cold.
Unreadable.
But deep inside—
Something shifted.
Because he knew what came next.
And his father didn't disappoint.
"You know what happens when you refuse."
A pause.
Then—
A name.
Unspoken.
But understood.
His mother.
Ethan's expression didn't change.
Not on the surface.
But his silence—
That was his answer.
His father leaned back again, satisfied.
"Good," he said. "Then we understand each other."
---
The meeting ended soon after.
Ethan stood up without another word.
And walked out.
---
The air outside felt different.
But not lighter.
Never lighter.
He got into the car.
And didn't say anything the entire ride.
---
When he arrived at his father's house—
Not the meeting place, but the main residence—
He didn't go inside immediately.
He paused.
Just for a second.
Then walked in.
---
His mother's room was the only place that felt… human.
He knocked once.
Softly.
Then opened the door.
She was sitting near the window.
Turning as soon as she saw him.
"…Ethan."
Her voice softened instantly.
He walked to her without hesitation.
And hugged her.
Tightly.
For a moment—
He wasn't the man from the meeting.
Not the one who spoke about killing without blinking.
Just—
Her son.
"…How are you?" he asked quietly.
"I'm fine," she said gently.
He pulled back slightly, looking at her carefully.
"Did he hurt you?"
Her expression softened further.
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Ethan studied her for a moment longer.
Like he didn't fully believe it.
But she placed her hand on his cheek.
"I'm okay."
Silence.
Then he nodded slightly.
---
They talked for a while.
Simple things.
Small things.
The only kind of conversation that existed between them.
Because everything else—
Was too heavy.
---
After some time—
Ethan stood up.
"I have to go."
She nodded.
"…Take care of yourself."
He didn't respond.
But he leaned down slightly—
And kissed her forehead.
Then left.
---
By the time he got back home—
The house was quiet again.
Too quiet.
He stepped inside.
His gaze immediately scanning.
No sign of Yuna.
Or Elena.
His jaw tightened slightly.
He pulled out his phone.
Called.
She picked up quickly.
"What?"
"Where are you?"
"At the mall," Elena replied casually. "Shopping."
"With her?"
"Yes."
"Come back."
A pause.
"…That was fast."
"Now."
"…Alright, alright," she sighed. "We're coming."
She cut the call.
Ethan lowered the phone slowly.
---
Not long after—
The elevator opened again.
Luca stepped in.
He looked at Ethan immediately.
"I heard."
Ethan didn't need to ask.
"Kai told you."
"Yes."
Luca walked closer.
"…You went to see him."
"Yes."
A pause.
Then—
"…Are you okay?"
Ethan's expression didn't change.
"Yes."
Luca didn't fully believe that.
But he didn't push.
Instead, he sighed.
"…We need to handle that situation."
Ethan nodded.
"I know."
They moved toward the main hall.
Talking quietly.
But the topic shifted—
Naturally.
To business.
To enemies.
To problems.
"There's still someone left," Luca said. "From the last group."
"I know."
"What do you want to do?"
Ethan's voice was calm.
"Remove them."
Luca nodded.
"Completely?"
"Yes."
A pause.
Then Luca added,
"No traces."
Ethan didn't hesitate.
"Kill everyone involved."
The words hung in the air.
Cold.
Sharp.
Final.
---
And that's when—
The elevator opened.
Again.
Ethan's gaze shifted instantly.
Yuna.
And Elena.
Standing there.
Frozen.
Because she heard it.
Yuna's eyes were wide.
Shocked.
Her hand still holding shopping bags—
Now slightly trembling.
"…Kill…?" she whispered.
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Ethan didn't move.
Luca didn't speak.
But the truth—
Was already out.
And this time—
There was no way to hide it.