The Billionaire Thought Her Daughter Feared Everyone — Until an 8-Year-Old Hugged the New Single-Dad Ex-Navy SEAL Bodyguard
Chapter 7
Marcus attacked again.
This time, he targeted the family car.
Ethan discovered the tampering before anyone drove it.
A brake line had been cut.
He immediately alerted police.
The evidence was enough to connect Marcus to the property.
A warrant was issued.
But Marcus disappeared.
Victoria wanted Lily moved somewhere secure.
Ethan suggested his sister’s home.
Victoria hesitated.
“I can’t separate Lily from me.”
“Then don’t.”
“Where do we go?”
“My house.”
She looked surprised.
“Your house?”
“Small.”
“How small?”
“Very.”
She smiled.
“You’re asking a billionaire to live in a small house?”
“I’m asking a mother to protect her daughter.”
They moved temporarily.
Victoria discovered a completely different side of Ethan.
His house was modest.
Clean.
Warm.
Photographs everywhere.
Emma’s drawings.
Old Navy medals in a drawer.
A framed picture of Ethan’s late wife.
Lily noticed.
“Who is she?”
Emma answered quietly.
“Mom.”
Lily looked at Ethan.
“I’m sorry.”
He nodded.
“Thank you.”
Victoria watched him.
She understood his silence.
That evening, after the children slept, she asked:
“Do you still love her?”
Ethan looked at the photograph.
“In a way.”
Victoria waited.
“She’s part of my daughter’s story.”
He looked at Victoria.
“But my life moved forward.”
Victoria nodded.
“What about me?”
He smiled.
“I think I’m falling in love with you.”
Her heart skipped.
She looked away.
“I think I already have.”
They held hands.
No grand promises.
Just truth.
Meanwhile, federal investigators tracked Marcus.
They discovered a safe house.
Inside were photographs of Lily.
Victoria.
Ethan.
Emma.
And documents detailing the planned acquisition of Victoria’s company.
The final objective was clear.
Richard Vale wanted Victoria forced out.
Marcus was only the weapon.
Ethan looked at the files.
“This ends now.”
Victoria nodded.
“Together.”
