Page 183 of Ethan: The Untouchable CEO

It is easier. Better.

I tighten my grip around her fingers, then lift her hand to my lips, pressing a slow kiss against her skin.

“I’m right here,” I promise, guiding her down the steps, her fingers still laced securely through mine.

By the time we reach the middle of the staircase, we’re already fully exposed to everyone’s view. Just as expected, every single one of them is here—some gathered around the table, others lingering in the kitchen, a few stretched out across the living room sofas.

One by one, heads begin to turn toward us, at first out of simple curiosity, just to see who’s coming down.

Then recognition hits.

And just like that, the entire room stills.

Every gaze fixes on us, bodies going rigid, reactions suspended mid-thought, as if the house itself has drawn in a breath and decided not to let it go.

“Morning,” I greet them once we’re close to the table.

“Good morning,” Thalia adds, her voice softer, edged with shyness.

Nothing.

No answer. No movement. Just heavy, stunned silence spreading across the room.

I pull out a chair for her, helping her sit before pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

“Coffee, kitten?” I ask gently.

She gives a small nod, barely there, and I head toward the coffee machine.

Behind me, the silence finally shatters.

“What?” Sierra blurts. “Thalia… what?”

“You’re kidding, right?” Nick asks, sounding personally betrayed by reality.

“Kitten?” Zayn echoes, completely thrown.

“I think I’m still asleep,” Aiden mutters.

“What did he call her?” Noah demands.

“He kissed her?” Kai.

“They were holding hands?” Theo.

“So you guys saw that too?” Ryan.

“No way,” Chase breathes.

“Did I see that right?” Liam.

“Did you hear what he called her?” Chris.

“Thalia… with Ethan?” Colt.

All this time, our parents stand together near the kitchen island, my dad holding Serena in his arms, all of them watching us in silence, measuring every second of this new reality as it sinks in.

The only one completely unaffected is Serena, who remains absorbed in her activity book, flipping pages and scribbling away as if nothing in the world has changed.