Having walked eight miles Ethan eventually walked onto his family estate, standing at the door he made sure he was calm before turning the knob and walking inside. The place was quiet, but that was not unusual considering the size of the house in comparison to relative smallness of the family. The butler walked out not at all surprised at seeing his employer walking about his ex-wife's house.
"Is Mrs. Aldridge awake Raymond?"
"Yes Mr. Aldridge, she's in the library."
"And the children?"
"They are asleep at the moment sir."
"Thank you, Raymond." Ethan nodded before walking up the stairs, he opened the door to his son's room entering to peek inside, the spitting image of himself was snoring loudly, leaning down he kissed Stephen for the first time since he was five years old, such a simple gesture brought a certain sense of peace and tranquility to a draining evening. "I love you Stephen."
Though his son could not hear the declaration, it made little difference to Ethan, the words being foreign to his own ears rang out like the bells of Notre Dame, he would repeat this same gesture with his daughter finding the same solace in the act.
On his way down the staircase he saw Helen walking up, her startled face turned into one of horror.
"Ethan what happened?" She ran up to meet him. "You're covered in blood."
Ethan having forgotten about beating the German half to death looked down to see why Helen looked so frightened, his tuxedo was covered in a substantial amount of blood. He saw her take his hand into hers touching his raw bruised knuckles. "Your hand is swollen."
"So it would seem." He pulled his hand away before making his way down the stairs.
"What the hell Ethan, you are the only billionaire I know who gets into street fights." Her laughter made him turn, she stood in a light blue t-shirt and a pair of thick multicolored socks that were pushed down over the bottom of her calves, red hair was in two ponytails and she was lacking any make up, it made him think of their time in college.
"Yeah... well you were no easy win Jersey girl." He smiled touching the permanent scar above his eye, a gift from his fed-up wife.
"You deserved that. "She told without remorse. Ethan saw her hand on a slender hip, head cocked to the side in challenge, she was stunning.
"I would have to agree with you, I deserved a lot more."
Helen blinked then smiled. "So how long?"
"How long what?" He leaned back against the stair bannister undoing his bowtie and two top buttons before crossing strong arms over an expansive chest.
"How long did the doctor give you to live?" Helen's laughter washed over like a soothing balm. "I figure your death must be imminent for you to admit something like that, is this a last-ditch effort to save your soul?"
Ethan shook his head not smiling at her light-hearted joke. "I'm afraid my soul has already been bartered, no possible way to save it."
Helen would not have believed it if she had not heard it with her own ears, "Ethan Aldridge are you feeling sorry for yourself?" Considering how the marriage ended one would think this brought her pleasure, it did not, it scared her.
"I wouldn't began to know how."
"Come on, I'll take care of you." Helen walked down the stairs holding out her hand.
Ethan was drifting in an ocean of confusion as blue eyes fell to the delicate pale hand that offered him an anchor. His ex-wife had been loyal to a fault during the thirteen-year marriage, her love always steady in its commitment, dependable in a way Olivia had never been. It was hard to believe now how much he had resented her for it.
Unlike Olivia, when he and Helen fought it did not leave him feeling defeated and hopeless, everything his mistress touched brought chaos. Needing to feel more than anger, he let Helen take his hand.
Walking into the kitchen she took out a first aid kit while Ethan sat on a barstool.
"You going to tell me how the other guy ended up in the emergency?" Helen smiled while taking his hand to get a better look.
"How do you know he lost?" She took out some bandages and cream.
"I have a feeling, I assume he's still alive as you're standing in my kitchen?"
Ethan silently listened to the pride that was obvious in Helen's voice as she spoke of his ability to handle himself, it was nice to have someone believe in his worth. Taking his other hand, he pushed an errant lock of hair behind her ear, she pretended not to notice his eyes on her as she worked, not his usual irritated stare but one of curiosity, the kind that made her aware of every blemish or flaw she hoped that he did not notice.
"All done." She started cleaning up the mess making sure not to look up at him. "There should be a shirt or two up in your suite, change and I'll get the tux out in tomorrow's dry cleaning."
"Throw it in the trash."
"I'm sure they can get the blood out."
"It's not worth it, can you bring up a drink while I shower?" Standing up he walked to the backstairs.
"Sure."
"Thanks."
Helen stood frozen in the middle of the kitchen unsure what was different, but something was.
She tried not to let the fact that Ethan looked at her and not through her mean too much. He was friendlier these days but nothing to imply that he was looking for more than a platonic relationship where they were concerned. The memory of what she had seen at Jack's house was still fresh in her mind even as she tried to convince herself that it was a onetime thing, something about the way Ethan and Olivia clung to each other made her doubt it. What did it matter anyway, they were divorced she said to herself while pouring his drink, walking up the stairs a voice told her it was a big deal.
Ethan rubbed his wet hair vigorously his waist wrapped in a large green towel that hung low, he felt much better now that he was clean and fresh.
"Your drink."
"Thanks." Taking it in a single gulp he sat the glass on the night stand then let the towel drop to the floor before slipping on his boxer briefs and white tee. "I am amazed at how Stephen never actually falls from the bed." Picking up a mohair brush he pushed it through his hair vigorously.
"Are you gonna tell me what happened?"
"Nothing worth reliving."
"I bet I can guess." Helen leaned back onto the bed smiling mischievously. "Was it something to do with Olivia?" Ethan looked over his shoulder to see Helen resting casually then turned to continue grooming. "Am I right?" She asked never dropping her eyes. "It was her wasn't it?" He reached for his watch putting it on his wrist. "Let me see if I can guess why you were fighting, some poor guy made the mistake of asking her to dance? She fell into a well and you fought the firemen to save her?" He did not laugh at her comment. "No? She slipped and somebody besides you caught her causing instant offense?" Ethan realized where this was going and knew it was time to go. "Which was it?"
