Chapter5 Ethan's Here to Save Me

Amanda's POV

By the crack of dawn, frantic activity consumed the Davis mansion. Maids were practically doing parkour through the halls, juggling outfits and bouquets that probably cost more than my car. The kitchen crew was going nuts whipping up Wilson's five-star breakfast spread, while our garden got the royal treatment. Talk about putting on the ritz - everyone was running around like headless chickens, trying to make the whole show picture-perfect.

And me? I was trapped in my room with Elizabeth's beauty squad getting primped and polished for display. Her handpicked team descended with military precision - brushes, curlers, and an absurd amount of makeup.

"The blue one," Elizabeth pointed to a sleek dress, her smile sharp as cut glass. "Harold likes his women... traditional."

I let them work their magic, my thoughts spinning like trapped birds. Each escape plan crashed harder than the last. The numbers were simple - Grandpa's care home cost a fortune. Without our money behind it...

"Stop fidgeting," Elizabeth snapped. "God, you're just like your mother. That same stubborn streak that ruined everything."

My eyes met Elizabeth's in the mirror. "Is that why you hate me? Because I remind you of her?"

"I hate what you both represent – ingratitude. Your mother had everything and threw it away for 'love.'" Elizabeth's lip curled. "Now you have a chance to save this family, and you're fighting it just like she would."

The dress felt like a noose as I walked down the stairs. Our receiving room had been transformed into a theater, with Harold Wilson playing his part perfectly. Everything about him screamed "trying too hard" - from his expensive watch to the flashy cufflinks that looked out of place against our mansion's quiet elegance. At fifty-something, he was desperately clinging to youth, but time isn't kind to men who fight it. "Amanda." His smile reminded me of a shark. "Even lovelier than your pictures."

Richard beamed with the pride of a man closing a particularly profitable deal. "Harold has a proposal to discuss."

"Next week." Wilson didn't waste time on preliminaries. "We'll keep the wedding small, given my recent widowhood. No need for unnecessary publicity."

My hands clenched in the folds of my dress. "Mr. Wilson—"

"Once we're married," he continued as if I hadn't spoken, "I'll handle Davis Corporation's debt situation personally. The paperwork is ready – we just need a marriage certificate to proceed."

He reached into his jacket, producing a check with a flourish. "Consider this a token of my commitment. One million dollars, as a preliminary engagement gift."

The silence stretched taut as a wire. I could feel my father's eyes boring into me, could sense Elizabeth's triumphant smile. The weight of my grandfather's fate pressed down like lead.

"I'm afraid," I said carefully, "there's been a misunderstanding."

Wilson's smile didn't waver. "Oh?"

"I can't marry you." I straightened my spine. "I'm already married."

The check fluttered from Wilson's suddenly slack fingers. Richard's face purpled. "What did you say?"

"I believe," a new voice cut through the chaos, "my wife said she's unavailable."

Ethan Blackwood stood in the doorway, his casual elegance making Wilson's expensive suit look cheap by comparison. His smile was pleasant, but his eyes promised war.

My heart skipped. "What are you doing here?"

"Shouldn't a husband accompany his wife to visit her family?" The hint of amusement in his voice belied the steel in his eyes as he surveyed the room.

Wilson's face flushed an ugly red. His fist came down hard on the antique mahogany table, making the Ming vase rattle precariously. "What kind of game is this?"

"Harold, please." Richard's tone dripped anxiety as he tried to salvage the situation. "I'm sure there's been some misunderstanding—"

"Misunderstanding?" Wilson's laugh was harsh. "She hired some pretty boy to save face. That's what this is."

Ethan's smile never wavered as he stepped fully into the room. "Mr. Wilson, aren't you old enough to be Amanda's father? Perhaps you should aim for someone more... age-appropriate."

The silence that followed was absolute. Wilson's mouth opened and closed, his carefully maintained facade cracking to reveal the nouveau riche beneath.

"This is outrageous." He jabbed a finger at my father. "Control your daughter, or the deal's off."

"The deal was never on." Ethan's voice remained pleasant, but something in it made Wilson take an involuntary step back. "My wife isn't for sale."

Wilson snatched up his briefcase, nearly dropping it in his haste. "You'll regret this, Davis. All of you." He stormed out, the echo of his footsteps fading down the marble hallway.

Elizabeth jumped in right then, her voice dripping with fake sweetness."Amanda, darling, surely you see how this behavior hurts your father? Your grandfather?"

"Don't." My voice shook slightly. "Don't you dare use him against me again."

"Your grandfather's care costs a fortune," Richard cut in, his face mottled with rage. "A fortune we no longer have, thanks to your little stunt."

"Perhaps," Ethan reached into his jacket, "this might help clarify the situation." He produced a document with elegant efficiency.

Madison, who had been watching the scene unfold with calculating eyes, moved closer. "What is that?"

"Our marriage certificate." Ethan's smile was meant for me alone. "Quite legal, I assure you."

Richard snatched the paper, his face draining of color as he read. "This... this can't be..."

"Oh, but it is." Madison's voice held a note of fascination as she studied Ethan with new interest. "Though really, Amanda, you should have told us. We could have celebrated properly."

I recognized the predatory gleam in my half-sister's eyes – the same look she'd had before stealing Nathan.

Richard threw the certificate down. "You will divorce him immediately. Tomorrow, we're going to Wilson's office to apologize. That's not a request."

"Or what?" I challenged, my voice steady despite the rage burning in my chest.

"Or your grandfather's care will be terminated." Richard spoke with a cutting tone. "Choose."

The familiar walls started closing in, but then Ethan's hand found my shoulder. That gentle touch carried steel beneath silk: Let me handle this.

"Mr. Davis." Ethan's voice was smooth as top-shelf bourbon, but something in it made everybody freeze in their tracks. "Your daughter ain't a poker chip. And trust me - you really don't wanna push my buttons." His smile was cold as ice. "Speaking of which - heard those fancy Swiss nursing homes are something else. Real top-notch stuff. Be a real shame if Davis Corp couldn't cut those checks anymore."

Dad's face went white as paper. For once, Madison couldn't even close her mouth. Elizabeth just stood there motionless, her drink shaking so bad I thought she'd drop it.

"You can't do this," Richard choked out, but we all knew he was just trying to convince himself.

"Watch me." Ethan's voice was quiet as a shark gliding through water. "Amanda? We've got that meeting with Cedar Grove about... upgrading your grandpa's care package."

As we headed for the door, I caught Madison's reflection in the fancy wood paneling. That big brain of hers was finally short-circuiting. But I knew my sister too well - she was already plotting her revenge.

"Hey Maddie?" I couldn't resist one last shot. "Next time you try to bury someone? Do us all a favor and check if they're actually six feet under first."

I walked out with my head high, Ethan's hand steady on my back. Behind us, the silence in that room was louder than any scream.