Chapter 43

Ethan POV
 
I woke up early the next morning, feeling a sense of unease wash through me, and it was something strange for me. 
 
I had been dreaming about my dad's illness lately and how it was affecting him so badly. 
 
Quickly, I got out of bed and went to his room without checking up on others's, hoping to find him awake and feeling better already, since it had been quite a while since we had a talk.
 
As I entered his room with a deep breath, I saw him sitting up in bed, looking pale and weak to me. 
 
I sat down next to him and took his hand in mine, along with a friend of his.
 
"Hey, Dad," I said, trying to sound cheerful to him and trying to wash away my own sad and frowny look. 
 
"How are you feeling today?" I asked the pale, middle-aged man.
 
He looked at me with sunken eyes and shook his head positively. 
 
"I'm not doing well, son," he said, his voice weak and raspy to me, which made my heart almost pull out.
 
"I'm so proud of you and Mia for winning the court case earlier, but I'm a little bit afraid I won't be able to celebrate with you on that achievement." He struggled to say the words.
 
I felt a pang of sadness within me and squeezed his hand, giving him my expression of sadness.
 
"Don't worry about all that, Dad," I said to him with pain hanging in my throat. 
 
"We'll celebrate when you're feeling better, Dad. What's important is that you get rest, take care of yourself, and heal fast for us all." I said.
 
He nodded and smiled weakly at me.
 
. "I'm trying, son, I'm trying. But it's hard when I see you and Mia going through so much stress. I want to be there for you and Mia, but my body won't let me do so."
 
I felt a lump in my throat and swallowed hard, not wanting to review it.
 
"You're always there for us, Dad," I said with a smile. 
 
"Even when you're not physically present, your love and support mean the world to us, and this keeps me encouraged in high hopes of you getting better." I smiled.
 
He looked at me with tears hanging from his eyes and smiled again at me. 
 
"Thank you, son. That means a lot to me, and it would keep me fit." He said.
 
We sat there in silence for a moment, our eyes blazing against each other's, holding hands while enjoying each other's company. Then, I remembered something important.
 
"Dad, I actually need to tell you something," I said, my voice serious but my face playful.
 
"Andrew was in the courtroom yesterday. I don't know what he wants, but I don't trust him, and I think he's trying to pay back since we won him." I said to my dad.
 
My dad's expression turned grave and calm, and he nodded slowly.
 
"I know, son. I've been getting some strange messages from him too. We need to be careful and stay vigilant against him," my dad just imputed fear in me.
 
I nodded in agreement, and we talked some more about Andrew and what we could do to protect ourselves from him. 
 
After a while, my dad started to get tired already, so I helped him settle back into bed and promised to check on him later in the day with the other family.
 
As I left his room soon, I felt a sense of determination within.
 
I would do everything in my power to protect my family and make sure we were all safe.
 
"Ethan." I turned back as soon as I heard my name.
 
"Hey, Amanda," she said, drawing herself closer to me with a smirk.
 
"Hi, please, where's my sister?" She asked as she acted strangely toward me.
 
"In the room, of course," I said, trying to understand her main intention.
 
" Amanda!" She tried to come closer to me with her seductive dress.
 
"Sorry, I'm just reacting to the drink from last night," she said, adjusting back.
 
"Okay," I said as I walked out of her with no words but just trying to think of what she wanted. Since she's acting strangely, I just have to believe she's reacting to the alcohol from the party.
 
"Why wouldn't dad just get healed fast and live his normal life?" I asked myself as I walked into the open space of the large villa.
 
I took my pace up and down, thinking about how I could save my dad from all this that had gotten him. He is the only one that I have had since my mom died, despite my love for my son and Mia, but you still loved my dad and could do anything for him to make sure he lives and has a good life.