Chapter 15
837words
The family mourned, though Gregory and Mandy's grief seemed more about losing their protector than the man himself.
After the funeral, Ethan officially took control of Holt Corporation.
Though Gregory and Mandy fumed, the ironclad will left them no recourse.
Ethan wasted no time implementing sweeping changes.
He stripped Gregory and Mandy of all authority, removing them from the executive team.
He reassigned their son Zack to a distant subsidiary, far from any real power.
Vivian Woods found herself completely cut off from the Holt inner circle.
Within weeks, Ethan had consolidated complete control of the company.
[Ding! Target's Villain Meter decreased by 10%! Current Villain Meter: 20%!]
[Ding! Target's Affection Points +20! Current Affection Points: +80!]
Ethan's Villain Meter had dropped to near-completion levels. My mission was almost done.
That night, I read Ethan his bedtime story as usual.
I'd chosen "The Little Prince," the tale of the prince and his beloved rose.
"…The little prince loved his rose despite her pride, despite her vanity, despite her lies. She was his, and his alone."
I looked up after finishing the story.
Ethan was watching me, his eyes softer than I'd ever seen them.
My eyelids grew heavy, my voice trailing off as I drifted to sleep against his shoulder.
Ethan gazed at my sleeping face and sighed softly.
With surprising strength, he lifted me from beside his wheelchair, placed me gently on the bed, and tucked the covers around me.
He leaned down to press a kiss to my forehead, his heart speaking what his lips couldn't yet say.
[You are my rose. Not a substitute. My only one.]
After the system completed its mission and vanished, my life found a new rhythm.
Ethan grew more affectionate each day, showing his love in countless small ways.
We ran Holt Corporation as partners, growing it stronger than ever before.
I was no longer the timid replacement bride but the confident wife of Holt Corporation's president and Ethan's most trusted ally.
Gregory and Mandy attempted to rebuild elsewhere, but without the Holt name to prop them up, they quickly failed. They faded into obscurity.
Zack floundered at the subsidiary. His petty office politics proved useless in the real business world.
Vivian Woods vanished from our lives completely.
Her family, having hitched their wagon to Gregory's falling star, declined rapidly.
My sister Jade, upon hearing of Ethan's rise to power, suddenly reappeared at our door.
She wanted money for herself and her boyfriend.
She showed up unannounced, tears streaming down her face.
"Evie, please help us. We're desperate. I have nowhere else to turn."
Before I could respond, Ethan had wheeled himself to my side.
He gave Jade a cold once-over before addressing the security guard behind him.
"Escort her out. Miss Sullivan is not welcome on Holt property without explicit invitation."
The guard stepped forward and firmly guided Jade toward the door.
Jade protested, calling my name desperately, but as I watched her being led away, I felt nothing but calm resolve.
Ethan took my hand, his touch gentle.
"Don't waste your heart on those who wouldn't do the same for you. I'll always be here."
Looking into his determined eyes, warmth bloomed in my chest.
Life with Ethan has been everything I never knew I wanted.
We have two beautiful children—a serious little boy and a spirited little girl.
Our son has Ethan's thoughtful nature, while our daughter inherited my mischievous streak.
Ethan's condition improved dramatically with years of intensive therapy.
We traveled to Switzerland to work with a world-renowned specialist in spinal rehabilitation.
For three months, we worked tirelessly on his recovery.
On a bright Alpine afternoon, Ethan attempted his first independent steps. One, two, three… By the fifth step, he began to wobble dangerously.
He reached out instinctively, and I was there in an instant, gripping his hand firmly.
His palm was warm and slightly damp with exertion, but his grip was strong and sure.
We both had tears in our eyes.
Now he walks with just a cane—a vast improvement from the wheelchair that once defined him.
Last weekend, we spent the afternoon in our garden, the four of us soaking up the sunshine.
Our son kicked a soccer ball across the lawn while our daughter tottered toward her father on chubby legs.
Ethan balanced on his cane, watching our daughter's determined approach.
He bent down—a motion once impossible—and scooped her up, lifting her high above his head. She squealed with delight, tiny arms reaching for his face.
He turned to me, his eyes shining with joy. "Look, Evie. I can hold our princess."
I moved to his side, leaning against his shoulder.
I had guided him from darkness into light.
He had given me everything I never knew I wanted—a home, a purpose, a family.
Sometimes I think about that strange system with its ridiculous tasks and animal cosplay punishments.
But now, I have everything I need right here.
