Chương 9: Chapter 9: Ethan's POV
The atmosphere in the meeting room was electric— a blend of anticipation and tension. I had prepared myself to face the board, to pitch my ideas and defend my strategies, but nothing could prepare me for the sight of Nica sitting at the head of the table. Our eyes met, and a rush of emotions flooded through me—anger, confusion, and an unsettling awareness that I was no longer in control of my surroundings.
As I approached the podium, I could feel the weight of their gazes on me, each one filled with curiosity and perhaps even judgment. I cleared my throat, forcing myself to focus on the presentation I had meticulously crafted. "Good morning, everyone," I began, my voice steady but my heart racing. "Today, I'm excited to share our vision for the upcoming campaign that I believe will elevate our brand and drive significant growth."
But as I spoke, I couldn't shake the feeling that Nica was watching me with an intensity that cut through my professional façade. Every glance felt like a reminder of my past mistakes, and the shadow of Clara loomed in my mind like a specter. I struggled to concentrate, my thoughts drifting to my recent confrontation with Clara and the chaos it had unleashed.
Just as I was beginning to find my rhythm, a small cough from the back of the room broke my focus. I glanced up to see Nica, arms crossed, a bemused expression on her face. It was as if she were silently questioning my every word. I could practically feel her judgment seeping into the air around us.
As the meeting progressed, I caught snippets of the discussions around me, but my mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. Clara's revelation still stung. How could she have done that to me? My heart ached with betrayal, but I also felt a surge of anger at myself for allowing her to get under my skin again.
"Ethan?" A voice pulled me back to the present. It was one of the investors, a sharp-eyed man named Mr. Davidson. "Could you clarify how you plan to address the recent decline in our social media engagement?"
I took a deep breath, reminding myself to remain composed. "Absolutely. We're implementing a targeted approach to reinvigorate our social media presence, focusing on engaging content that resonates with our audience. Our analytics indicate that a more personal touch will foster community and loyalty," I explained, forcing a confident smile despite the turmoil inside me.
The meeting continued, but my mind was only half there. Every time I caught Nica's gaze, I was reminded of my past—of the pain I had caused Vivi and the heartache I had inflicted on Clara. The balance of power had shifted, and I felt vulnerable in a way I hadn't in years.
As the presentations wrapped up, Nica stood up, a determined look in her eyes. "Thank you for your insights, Ethan. It's clear you're passionate about your work, but I hope you understand the importance of transparency, both in business and personal matters," she said, her voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of challenge.
The room fell silent. I could feel the tension rising, my pulse quickening. Did she really just call me out in front of everyone? The implication was clear: my personal life was now part of the professional narrative, and I hated that I was vulnerable in front of these people.
"I appreciate your feedback, Nica. Transparency is indeed crucial," I replied, forcing my voice to remain calm. "I'll take that into account moving forward."
As she took her seat, I could see her expression harden, her disappointment palpable. I felt a mix of resentment and regret. She had every right to be angry, but it stung nonetheless.
Nica's POV
As I sat back down, my heart raced with a mixture of satisfaction and frustration. I had managed to keep my composure during the meeting, but seeing Ethan up there, presenting with such confidence while the truth hung over him like a dark cloud, made my blood boil.
He thought he could charm his way out of this, but he was wrong. My sister had suffered because of him, and he needed to understand the gravity of his actions.
When the meeting finally ended, I gathered my things, ready to confront him. I needed to know how he could leave Vivi at the hospital and then show up here like nothing had happened. I marched toward him, determination fueling my steps.
"Ethan," I called out, my voice sharp enough to cut through the chatter of the departing crowd.
He turned, surprise flickering in his eyes. "Nica, can we talk later? I have some follow-ups to handle."
"No, we need to talk now," I insisted, my heart pounding in my chest. "You can't just brush this off like it's nothing. My sister lost her baby, and you left her alone at the hospital. How could you?"
His expression hardened, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of vulnerability beneath the anger. "I didn't think it was my place to stay. I thought she needed space."
"Space? Are you kidding me? She needed you! You were supposed to be her husband. Instead, you acted like a coward." The words spilled out, fueled by the frustration that had been building since I first learned of his betrayal.
"Look, I get that you're angry, and you have every right to be. But you don't understand the whole story," he replied, a defensive edge creeping into his tone.
"Then tell me," I challenged, crossing my arms defiantly. "What's the whole story, Ethan? Because right now, it sounds like a string of excuses."
He ran a hand through his hair, visibly struggling with his emotions. "Clara showed up out of nowhere, and everything got complicated. I didn't want to drag Vivi into that mess. I thought it was better to keep my distance."
"Better for whom? You or her? You have to own up to your mistakes. You can't just hide behind your excuses anymore," I pressed, watching as his expression shifted from anger to something softer, almost regretful.
"I know I messed up. I really do. But I need you to understand that I never meant to hurt Vivi," he admitted, his voice low and heavy with guilt.
"Then prove it," I challenged, not backing down. "Be the husband she needs. Show her that you care and that you're willing to fight for her."
He nodded slowly, a flicker of determination igniting in his eyes. "I will. I promise I'll make this right."
As he spoke those words, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. Maybe there was still a chance for him to redeem himself. But I would be watching closely, ready to step in if he faltered again.
"I'll hold you to that," I warned, then turned on my heel, ready to confront the next challenge waiting for me. As I walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that the battle was far from over.
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