Forced To Marry My Cousin's Fiancé

Chapter 80: Chapter 80

The second she closed the door, her smile vanished.

Her heart started pounding against her ribs at the thought of seeing Ethan. She took another deep breath and forced herself to walk toward the living room.

His deep, baritone voice echoed through the hall as he talked to her mom, making her heart race even faster.

When she reached the living room, she saw them all sitting on the sofa. She couldn’t help but stare at Ethan. He looked totally drained and thinner than before, with a rough layer of stubble along his jawline.

Ethan must have felt her eyes on him because he looked up. It was too late to look away. Their eyes locked instantly. His eyes went wide, and he stood up immediately. Her mom and Aunt Catherine stopped talking and followed his gaze.

"Lane."

Lane looked away from Ethan and focused on Aunt Catherine, who was smiling warmly. Lane walked over, her knees feeling weak under the weight of Ethan’s stare.

He wouldn’t take his eyes off her. She pointedly avoided looking at him, terrified of what would happen if she did.

She paid her respects to Aunt Catherine by giving her a kiss on the cheek. "How are you, Aunt?"

"I’m okay, Aunt," she replied. "And you?"

"Doing well," Aunt Catherine said.

"That’s good." Lane glanced toward the door.

"I just need to grab something from the car. Excuse me."

She didn’t wait for a reply before turning to leave, but she could feel Ethan’s eyes following her every move.

She’d barely taken a step when the family driver walked in carrying the bag she needed. Her heart nearly stopped when she saw what else he was holding: Calvin’s coloring book.

"Ma’am Lane, you left the bag and the coloring book—"

She cut him off by lunging forward and grabbing the book.

She quickly tucked it behind the bag, hoping Ethan hadn’t caught a glimpse of the bright, childish cover. She peeked over, and sure enough, he was staring right at her.

"T-thanks, Sir," she said quickly. She faced the guests one last time. "I’ll leave you guys to it, Aunt Catherine."

She gave Ethan a split-second glance before heading back to the bedroom. She didn’t truly breathe until she was behind the door and out of his sight.

"Mommy, I kept my promise! I stayed right here," Calvin chirped.

"Good job, baby," she said, setting the stuff down to fix his milk.

"Thanks, Mommy," he said, taking the bottle. She tucked him into bed.

"Calvin?"

"Yeah?"

"Mommy has to leave early tomorrow for work, okay?"

"What?" his little face fell.

"I have to go, but I’ll make it up to you. I have the day after tomorrow off, and we can go out together," she promised.

"Really?"

"Really. Where do you want to go?"

He thought it over. "The mall! I want to play."

"You got it. So if you wake up and I’m gone, no crying, okay?"

"Okay," he agreed.

She gave him a reassuring smile, and it wasn’t long before he was fast asleep. She took his bottle, tucked the covers around him, and went to take a quick bath herself.

Since she wanted to be out of the house before Ethan arrived the next morning, she went straight to sleep.

She woke up while it was still dark and slipped out quietly, leaving Calvin with her mom and Mae.

She left early specifically so she wouldn’t have to deal with Ethan picking her up or asking where she’d been for the last three days.

She made it to the office before even Michael arrived. She expected a mountain of backlogged work, but to her shock, everything was finished.

Each folder had a post-it note saying it was good to go and just needed her signature. She recognized the handwriting immediately. It was Ethan’s.

He’d done all of it for her.

She was still processing the relief when the office door swung open. Lane’s jaw dropped. It was Ethan.

The look of pure relief in his eyes when he saw her was unmistakable.

Before she could say a word, he crossed the room in two long strides. Her heart hammered in her chest as he pulled her into a fierce, tight embrace.

__________

Ethan scowled when he saw who was standing with Tyler.

He’d promised to take the kid out today since he was off work. He actually had other plans, but he’d scrapped them because he didn’t want to let Tyler down. He didn’t want the boy thinking he didn’t love him, which Tyler brought up all the time.

Tyler felt like he didn’t matter because Ethan never answered his calls. Honestly, Ethan felt like a jerk about it, but the truth was he was just dodging Olivia.

To make it up to him, he’d agreed to whatever Tyler wanted. When the kid called last night to remind him about their hang-out, he’d asked where Tyler wanted to go.

Tyler wanted to hit the mall to play some arcade basketball. After they hung up, Ethan told Olivia to have the nanny drop the boy off at the mall so they could meet there.

He could’ve picked him up at her condo, but he preferred meeting on neutral ground.

Ethan’s face stayed stony as he got closer. He didn’t expect Olivia to show up. He’d explicitly told her to send the nanny. Usually, when he and Tyler went out, it was just the two of them. Olivia was never invited.

His standard move was to have the nanny drop Tyler off, send the nanny home, and then he’d personally drop Tyler back

"Dad!" Tyler cheered when he saw him.

Ethan ruffled the kid’s hair.

"How’s it going, buddy?" he asked, looking down at him. As he stared at the boy, all he saw was Olivia.

Tyler didn’t have a single one of his features. It was a total contrast to his son with Elena.

Even though he’d only seen photos of Calvin, the boy was his spitting image. Like his mom said, Calvin was a carbon copy of how Ethan looked as a kid. It was like looking into a time capsule.

The thought sent a sharp pang through his chest. He was dying to see his own son, but it was clear Elena wasn’t ready to let that happen.

He didn’t want to push his way in and make her even angrier. He figured he needed to apologize, win her back, and earn her trust before he could ever ask to meet the boy.

"I’m good, Dad," Tyler said, snapping him back to reality.

"That’s good," he replied. He looked up to address Olivia. "We’re gonna head out. I’ll bring him home after we’re done," he told her.

Olivia started to say something, but Tyler cut her off. "Dad, I want Mom to come. I want her to go with us!"

Ethan’s frown deepened. This was exactly what he didn’t want. He wanted it to be just the two of them.

Like he’d told himself, he didn’t want to be seen with Olivia because people would get the wrong idea. Before, he was worried someone would spot them and word would get back to Elena.

Now that she was actually back in town, he was even more paranoid. He couldn’t risk her seeing them together and thinking something was still going on.

"Tyler, can’t we just make it a guys’ day this time? I want—"

"No, Dad! I want Mom here," Tyler interrupted politely but firmly. "I want her to come with us," he insisted.

Ethan let out a heavy sigh as Tyler started to tear up. People nearby were starting to stare, wondering what the drama was about.

He looked at Olivia, hoping she’d step in and help. She seemed to get the hint and nodded.

"Tyler, sweetie, it should just be you and Dad—"

"No, Mom! I want you there," Tyler cried. "I want you to come with me and Dad!"

Olivia looked at Ethan and shook her head, acting like her hands were tied. Tyler’s crying escalated when Ethan didn’t answer right away. Ethan knew how this went. The kid wouldn’t quit until he got his way.

Olivia had spoiled him rotten, so whenever he wanted something, he expected it then and there. Ethan tried to talk to him when they were alone, but the kid just didn’t listen.

Ethan sighed again. It looked like he was stuck bringing Olivia along. He’d just have to try and keep his distance from her the whole time. He knelt down to comfort the boy, and the second he told him Mom could come, the waterworks stopped.

Ethan just prayed that if Lane saw them, or if some gossip-monger told her about it, she wouldn’t think the worst.

He didn’t feel a thing for Olivia anymore. She was ancient history. The only person on his mind and in his heart was Lane, and that was never going to change.

___________

"My son is so handsome," Lane said with a smile, checking Calvin out after getting him dressed.

She’d promised him a day out, just the two of them. Her smile grew even wider when she saw his cheeks turn bright pink. Her little boy was already learning how to blush. It felt like he was becoming a young man right before her eyes.

"Mommy, come on," he urged.

"What?" she laughed. "It’s true, you know. You’re so handsome. And so kind, too."

She couldn’t help but giggle when she saw his lips twitch, trying to hide a grin.

"Mommy?" he said after a moment.

"Hmm?"

"Do I look like my Daddy?"

Lane’s smile vanished. The question caught her completely off guard, and she couldn’t find the words to answer right away.

"Do I look like my Daddy?" Calvin asked again when she stayed quiet.

"Because I heard the maids at Grandma’s house talking. They said I look just like him. Is it true, Mommy? Do I look like my Daddy?"

Lane was momentarily speechless. Her son stood there staring at her, clearly waiting for the truth. She let out a long, heavy sigh and slowly nodded.

"Yes," she finally said. It was the truth, after all. He was a carbon copy of his father. The only thing he’d really inherited from her was her personality—that kindness she loved so much.

"Really, Mommy? Do you have a picture of him? Can I see?"

Lane’s mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.

She had no idea how to handle this. She was saved by the bell when her phone started ringing on the nightstand, giving her the perfect out.

"Oh, maybe that’s your Auntie Ava," she told him. She grabbed the phone, feeling like she wanted to kiss Ava through the screen for the perfect timing.

"It’s your godmother," she told him with a quick glance. "I need to take this, Calvin."

"Okay," he said.

She picked up immediately. "Hello?"

"Lane," Ava said on the other end.

"Yeah?"

"I’m on my way to the mall," Ava told her.

Ava was joining them for their big day out.

Lane had called her last night to let her know Calvin was in New York.

Ava had grilled her about why she brought him, especially since she was supposed to be hiding him from Ethan, and asked if she was really ready for them to meet.

Lane had explained everything, and Ava, being a good friend, understood. As soon as she heard her godson was in town, she had to see him.

Lane had invited her along, and Ava jumped at the chance. She’d even called Noah ,but he was out of town for a business trip and promised to make it up to them later.

"Okay, Ava. We’ll meet you there. Calvin and I are just leaving the condo," Lane said.

"Sounds good. See ya," Ava said before hanging up.

Lane tucked her phone in her pocket and looked at her son. "Calvin, let’s go!"

"Okay, Mommy!"

She helped him down from the bed, and hand in hand, they headed out of the condo. Since it was the weekend and Mae had the day off, it was just the two of them.

Once they hit the parking garage, she buckled him into his car seat in the back. Once he was secure, she hopped into the driver’s seat and pulled out.

When they arrived at the mall, she found a spot and called Ava to see where she was.

Ava was already inside, waiting near the entrance.

Lane grabbed the tote bag filled with Calvin’s extra clothes and a towel in case he got sweaty from playing, then helped him out of the car.

"Ready?" she asked. They walked into the mall hand in hand.

It didn’t take long to spot Ava, who was buried in her phone.

"There’s your Auntie, Calvin," she pointed out.

"Where, Mommy?"

Lane led him over. Ava must have sensed them because she looked up and beamed.

Her smile got even bigger when she saw Calvin. Lane and Ava swapped quick cheek kisses and chatted for a second before Anna leaned down to the little guy.

"Hi, Calvin!" Ava said with a grin.

"Hello, Auntie," Calvin replied. "You’re so pretty."

Lane laughed as Ava tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Wow, you’re an honest one!" Ava joked.

"But who’s more beautiful, me or your Mommy?"

"My Mommy, obviously," he answered without missing a beat.

Lane laughed at Anna’s mock-offended face. "My son doesn’t lie, Ava!"

"Yep, Auntie. Lying is bad," Calvin agreed.

"You two really are a matching set," Ava laughed, ruffling his hair.

"It’s so good to finally meet you in person, kiddo." She gave him a big hug.

"You too," Calvin said.

When she stood back up, Ava leaned in to whisper in Lane’s ear. "But seriously, he looks exactly like his jerk of a father."

Lane’s eyes went wide and she gave Ava a sharp elbow to the ribs. "He can hear you!" she hissed back.

She looked down at Calvin and gave him a reassuring smile. Looking at his face really was like staring at Ethan. Those dark eyes were identical.

She reached down to stroke his hair. "Shall we?"

Calvin nodded and grabbed her hand. They started walking toward their destination.

"So where are we headed?" Ava asked.

"To Calvin’s favorite spot," Lane said, naming the play area.

They were walking and chatting when Ava suddenly stopped in her tracks. Lanefrowned, seeing the look of pure worry on her friend’s face.

"What is it?"

"We need to get out of here," Ava said urgently.

Lane’s frown deepened. "Why?"

"Ethan is here," Anna whispered.

Lane’s heart started racing, and she tightened her grip on Calvin’s hand. Her stomach did a somersault when Ava finished the sentence.

"And he’s with Olivia and Tyler. They’re all here."

Lane followed Ava’s gaze across the mall. It felt like a giant hand just crushed her heart when she saw them.

Ethan, Olivia, and Tyler. They looked like a perfect, happy family.

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