Bella's POV
The minutes felt like hours as Bella stood frozen in the living room, her eyes glued to the door where Ethan had disappeared moments ago. Her pulse thrummed in her veins, each beat echoing in the silence that now hung heavy in the air.
Carmen's hands were trembling, her gaze flickering between the door and Bella, clearly uncertain of what to do. "What if… What if Vince is really here?" she whispered, her voice taut with fear. "What if Ethan—"
"He'll be fine," Bella interrupted, though her own voice lacked conviction. She didn't believe the words coming out of her mouth, but she couldn't let Carmen see her panic. She couldn't show any weakness. Not now. Not with the twins asleep in the other room, unaware of the imminent danger. "Ethan's not someone you underestimate. He'll handle Vince."
Carmen nodded, but the anxiety on her face didn't fade. "You know, Bella… he cares about you. He cares about the twins, too."
Bella's breath hitched at Carmen's words. The truth of it hit her like a sudden wave, pulling her under. Ethan cared about her. But what did that really mean? Could she let herself believe it? Could she let herself trust it? After all this time, after everything that had happened, did she even know how to let someone protect her again?
A loud noise outside the apartment door snapped Bella out of her thoughts. The sound of hurried footsteps, followed by muffled voices.
Bella's heart skipped. Ethan?
She glanced at Carmen, whose eyes were wide with dread. "Stay here," Bella said, voice trembling despite her efforts to keep it steady. "Lock the door behind me. If something happens, get the twins out."
Before Carmen could protest, Bella was already moving toward the hallway. Each step felt like a weight pressing down on her chest, but she couldn't stay back. Not when Ethan was out there, potentially facing Vince, someone who had already shown he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.
Reaching the front door, Bella held her breath and slowly cracked it open. She barely peeked through the crack, her eyes searching for any sign of Ethan. She saw movement—a shadow, and then a voice she recognized.
"It's not him, Ethan. It's not just you."
Vince's voice, smooth and dripping with malice, sent a chill straight through Bella. She instinctively recoiled, stepping back from the door. Vince was here.
Her hand flew to her mouth, stifling the gasp that threatened to escape. He was closer than she thought. Closer than she'd ever imagined.
"I told you, Carter," Vince continued, his voice lowering, "this isn't over. It's only just begun. I'll make sure of that."
Bella's heart pounded louder in her ears. What was Vince talking about? What did he mean by "it's not over?"
From somewhere deeper in the apartment, she heard Ethan's voice rise in defiance. "You want a war, Reyes? Then let's get it started." The anger in Ethan's voice made her spine stiffen with fear, but beneath the fury, she could hear his resolve. He would protect her. He would protect them all.
Ethan wasn't afraid of Vince. But should she be?
Taking a shaky breath, Bella made her decision. She couldn't stay hidden while Ethan was risking his life to protect her. She couldn't be the one cowering behind closed doors anymore. She had to face Vince. For herself. For the twins. For Ethan.
Bella opened the door, moving cautiously but with a sense of purpose. She spotted Ethan immediately—his strong frame tense as he stood across from Vince, who was leaning casually against the wall, his smirk as infuriating as ever.
"Bella, what the hell are you doing out here?" Ethan's voice was low and urgent as he turned to her, his protective gaze hardening. "Go back inside."
"I'm not going anywhere," Bella said, her voice sharp with a sudden surge of confidence. She stood tall, refusing to show fear. Not now. Not ever again. "Not when you're out here facing him alone."
Vince turned to her then, his eyes flicking over her like a predator sizing up its prey. "Ah, the lady of the hour," he said, his smile widening. "You've been hiding behind that facade for years, Bella. But it's nice to see you finally stepping up." He glanced at Ethan, the same smug expression on his face. "But this... this doesn't change anything. You know that, don't you?"
Ethan took a step forward, his jaw tight as he confronted Vince head-on. "This is the last time you threaten her, Reyes," he growled, his hand flexing at his side. "You're not getting away with this. Not anymore."
Bella stood beside Ethan, her body tensed, ready for whatever was coming. The air between the three of them crackled with tension, the weight of unsaid words thick and heavy. Vince's words had dug deep into her, leaving behind the old wounds she'd long tried to bury.
"I'm not afraid of you, Vince," Bella said, her voice steady. "And I'm done running from my past."
Vince's smile faltered for a moment before he recovered, his eyes flicking between Bella and Ethan. "You should be. You don't know who you're messing with. But I'm glad you finally realize what's at stake here."
With a final, venomous glance, Vince turned and walked toward the door. "This isn't over, Carter," he threw over his shoulder, his tone laced with dangerous promise.
Ethan's body remained tense, his eyes locked on Vince's retreating figure until the door slammed behind him, leaving nothing but silence in his wake.
Bella took a step forward, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. It was over for now. But she knew it wouldn't last long.
Ethan turned to her, his expression hard and unreadable. But when his gaze met hers, something shifted. There was a softness there, hidden beneath the steel. His hand reached out for hers, his fingers brushing against hers almost hesitantly, as if afraid she might pull away.
But she didn't.
For the first time since their reunion, Bella allowed herself to step closer to him, to let him hold her hand, to let him in. "Ethan…" she whispered, her voice shaky, but filled with something she hadn't felt in years. "What now?"
Ethan's gaze softened as he cupped her face, his touch gentle yet insistent. "Now," he said, his voice full of raw emotion, "we fight. Together."
And just like that, everything changed. The promise in his eyes, the fire that still burned between them—it all made sense. They were no longer just fighting for survival. They were fighting for each other.