Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 91: Shadows from the Past

Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Shadows from the Past

As Ethan and Lily made their way through the city’s streets in the dark, anxiety was palpable. As they got ready for the next stage of their strategy, the night was their ally, enveloping them in its arms. However, behind the surface of their well-planned approach, Ethan was plagued by the disturbing realization that Moreau was always one step ahead.

He was too knowledgeable. Went too fast. Hit where the pain was greatest.

For years, Ethan had been hiding his identity, tying up loose ties, and making sure his history was forgotten. However, Moreau had managed to uncover information that ought to have remained hidden. And now everything he had created, including the tenuous new beginning he had discovered with Lily, was in danger of being destroyed as the past clawed its way back.

Lily, who was strolling next to him, observed his quiet. She said, "You’re thinking too much again."

Although it didn’t reach his eyes, Ethan grinned a little. "I can’t afford to not do it."

Her face softened as she gave him a quick glance. "You never discuss your history. Regarding how you ended up in this situation. However, Moreau is knowledgeable, isn’t he?

With a deep sigh, Ethan’s eyes darted to the far skyline. "He is overly knowledgeable."

After a moment of hesitation, Lily said, "And what exactly does he know?"

With the burden of his secrets bearing down on him, Ethan gazed at her. He had persuaded himself that keeping Lily in the dark was necessary to protect her, so he had spent years concealing the truth. However, it was in the past.

She had already put everything on the line for him. She had previously remained at his side, refusing to flee while peril surrounded them. Previously, she was the only person he couldn’t risk losing.

He sighed deeply as he made his decision.

"I should tell you everything now."

Unspoken Truths

On the outskirts of the city, they took sanctuary in a modest, unobtrusive safehouse. The structure was ancient, with reinforced steel walls and a modern security system. Knowing that he may need a place to vanish at some point, Ethan had purchased it years ago.

Ethan walked the room, collecting his thoughts, as Lily reclined on the old leather couch. At last, he paused and turned to her.

He acknowledged, "I wasn’t always Ethan Calloway."

Lily blinked. "What do you mean?"

He combed his hair with his hand. "My true name is no longer relevant. The important thing is that I was someone else once. Someone who served men such as Moreau. I worked for a company that covertly handled things—things that the public wasn’t meant to know about.

Lily took a deep breath. "You were a killer?"

Ethan laughed resentfully. Not quite. I fixed things. If there was an issue, I eliminated it. I dealt with a rival, a witness, and a debt that needed to be collected.

Lily gasped for air. Even though she was aware that Ethan wasn’t perfect, it seemed more genuine to hear it directly from him.

His voice was thick as he went on. "I desired to go. I was aware that the longer I stayed, the more I would be reduced to a mere cog in the wheel. I thus vanished. Pretended to be dead. Burned all the bridges.

Lily gazed at him. "However, Moreau discovered you."

Ethan gave a nod. "Because I was wrong." When I shouldn’t have, I left someone alive.

The room was silent. Lily carefully considered what he had said. Although she had always believed that Ethan had a troubled history, this was more profound than she had thought.

"And now?" she inquired quietly.

Ethan looked her in the eye. Moreau now wants to complete the task I began. He is using Jacob as pressure to force me to play his game in an attempt to destroy me piece by piece.

Lily steadied herself by taking a big breath. "Then we break the game," she answered without hesitation.

Something like a smile flickered over Ethan’s lips. "You don’t feel afraid?"

She gave a headshake. "I ought to be. However, I have faith in you.

Her words caused his chest to constrict. Have faith. She was freely giving it to him, something he had never had in his life.

And rather than betray it, he would rather die.

A Ghost Is Back

Ethan’s phone vibrated before they could plan their next course of action. Anticipating additional teasing from Moreau, he took it out. However, every muscle in his body tensed up as he saw the name on the screen.

An unknown number.

A figure that shouldn’t be there. It was the number of a long-dead person.

He paused before responding. "Who is this?"

"Hello, old friend!" a voice from his past murmured.

The blood in Ethan ran cold.

Lily observed the change in his face. "Ethan?"

He didn’t answer. He was too preoccupied to listen.

"You really didn’t believe you could just leave, did you?" The voice went on, silky smooth yet dangerously laced. "Not everyone forgot you, even if you departed. You weren’t forgiven by everyone.

Ethan tightened his jaw. "You should be dead by now."

The voice laughed. "My buddy, death is relative. Similar to loyalty.

Ethan gripped the phone more tightly. "What are you looking for?"

"To watch how everything turns out. You’re trapped in a little game with Moreau. Really, it’s intriguing. However, I believe it’s time for me to take the helm.

Ethan felt his heart race in his ears. "This turns into a war if you get involved."

The other speaker let out a sigh. "Ethan, it was always a war. You just choose to disregard it.

The line died.

Ethan’s jaw tightened as he carefully dropped the phone.

Lily put her hand on his arm. "Who was that?"

Ethan let out a loud sigh. "A specter from my history. And if he returns... His look was harsh as he met her eyes. "After that, things simply got much worse."

There is a ticking clock.

Moving quickly, Ethan took out a burner phone and dialed. He said, "We need eyes on Moreau, now." "We also need to see if there are any other players in this game."

Lily was standing next to him. "What are you contemplating?"

Ethan said, "I think we need to speed up our timeline." "We’re facing more than just Moreau anymore."

Lily’s shoulders went square. "Then we struck initially."

Darkly amused, Ethan’s smile reappeared. "That’s precisely what I intended."

The conflict has just intensified.

And now there was no going back.