Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 100: The Start of Something New

Chapter 100: Chapter 100: The Start of Something New

Before them, the metropolitan skyline extended indefinitely, the tall glass towers glowing golden in the early rays of morning. The world appeared nearly tranquil from Ethan’s penthouse balcony—too tranquil, considering everything that had transpired. It was a calm that was both reassuring and disturbing, the type of silence that comes after a storm.

Lily stood with her arms encircling her body and her eyes focused on the horizon. She couldn’t sleep. She kept thinking about the battles, the betrayals, and the persistent terror that each breath would be her last every time she closed her eyes. She experienced a strange sensation of emptiness now that it had ended.

There were others besides her.

She turned when the balcony door clicked softly. Ethan went outdoors with a strong demeanor that was unusual in some way. The strain in his shoulders had subsided, but he was still as acute as usual. He was reminded of what they had endured by the cut on his mouth and the bruises on his knuckles.

She whispered, "It’s over," as though stating it out loud would make it seem more genuine.

Ethan nodded after tensing his jaw a little. "It is."

Lily looked at him. "So why is it that something seems to be missing?"

Ethan let out a slow breath. "Because it’s over and we don’t know what to do because we’ve been fighting for so long."

Neither of them wanted to acknowledge the fact. Their lives had revolved around survival, planning, and retaliation for months. They were free now that Moreau was gone. However, independence also brought with it a certain amount of uncertainty.

Lily looked back at the scenery. "Without this fight, I don’t know who I am."

The warmth of his body brushed across her shoulder as Ethan took a step closer. After that, we work things out. Together.

Seeking confirmation, she glanced up at him. And she saw it in his eyes.

A Slate That Is Clean

Ethan was sitting in his office by the middle of the morning, gazing at the heavy file before him. It included all of the things he had accumulated over the years, including companies, real estate, assets, and details on influential individuals. After spending so much time in the background, managing the board from behind the scenes, he finally asked himself if he wanted to keep on.

Did he no longer wish to be that man?

With a knowing expression on her face, Lily emerged from the doorway. "Are you considering leaving, aren’t you?"

Ethan grinned without denying it. "Would you be surprised by that?"

She entered and took a seat across from him. "No. I believe you’ve had the desire to do so for some time.

He combed his hair with his hand. "What if I do? Then what?

Lily put her hand to her chin. "Then we begin anew."

The words weighed heavily but with promise, as they landed between them. Ethan had always been a guy in charge, always shifting chessboard pieces. It was exciting and terrible to think about leaving it all behind.

He moved the paperwork in her direction across the desk. "How about we work it out together?"

Lily picked it up after hesitating. "You mean to just get out of all of this?"

Ethan looked her in the eye. I’m referring to beginning something fresh. Something without adversaries lurking in the shadows and power struggles.

She took a deep breath, feeling both relieved and apprehensive. She had been running for a long time, but now she wasn’t sure where she was going.

She paused for a long moment before putting her hand over his across the tabletop. After that, let’s construct something fresh. Together.

Ethan’s hold on her grew stronger. "With each other."

Fastening Loose Ends

They spent the following several days making sure that the past wouldn’t haunt them. In order to transfer operations and break off long-standing relationships, Ethan gathered with his closest allies. He was leaving after meticulously constructing his kingdom.

The change wasn’t simple. While some questioned his choice and others attempted to persuade him to stay, Ethan refused to back down. He had lived a life that only took from him for far too long. He wanted something else now.

Lily also needed to bury her own ghosts.

She talked to individuals she had previously avoided and went to areas she had previously feared. She felt lighter with each stride forward, as though she was at last letting her breath out.

It was finished by the end of the week.

Both of them had shut the doors to their pasts.

A Fresh Start

Ethan was standing on the balcony again one evening as the sun was sinking. This time, however, there was just potential and no weight bearing down on him.

With two wine glasses in her hands, Lily moved to stand next to him. "I believe we ought to have a toast."

Ethan took one with a sly smile. "To what?"

She lifted her glass. "To fresh starts."

Ethan and she clinked glasses. "To us."

The quiet between them was pleasant as they sipped.

With a teasing smile pulling at her lips, Lily looked at him. "So, what happens now?"

Ethan put down his drink and gave her his whole attention. "Now? We are alive.

Her forehead raised. "How does that appear to Ethan Calloway?"

He grasped her hand and inserted his fingers into it. "That depends."

"On what?"

He grinned. "Wherever you wish to go."

Lily studied him, tilting her head. "Anywhere?"

"Anywhere."

Her features broke into a gradual grin. "After that, let’s travel to a new place."

Ethan laughed. "Are we adventurous?"

Lily shrugged. "Calloway, a new Chapter has begun. It might as well get off to a good start.

Ethan squeezed her hand. "All right, let’s go."

It seemed like the appropriate choice.

They weren’t watching over their shoulders or waiting for the next danger to strike for the first time in years.

They had no restrictions.

Then they left the past where it belonged and went back inside.

All set for whatever lay ahead.