30. Chapter 30

Chapter thirty

Present

W atching Brian sway unsteadily, I glance back at Ethan and the girls, then at Brian, who now looks like he’s ready to erupt. I'd like to see him try to take a swing at me—he won’t even make it halfway before he’s on the floor. I’ve no doubt that if he tried, he’d be flattened before he could even make contact.

Brian’s not the type to back down easily. He’s one of those people who revels in pushing boundaries and insisting he’s right, even when it’s clear as day that he’s wrong. You could have a loaded gun pointed at him, and he’d still argue he’s in the right. His stubbornness isn’t just frustrating; it’s downright delusional.

He had so many opportunities to change his ways for her sake, but he chose to follow the path of self-destruction. Instead of embracing the chance to have a loving relationship with his daughter and a life filled with joy, he’s sunk into a dark abyss of drinking and drug abuse. He could have had a life full of beauty and happiness if only he’d opened his eyes and made different choices.

“Listen,” I start, steeling myself for a conversation I’d much rather avoid. It’s hard to believe I’m actually standing here talking to him instead of tossing him into the street like the rat he is. “You’re the one who’s wrecked your relationship with her, not me. You had your chance and you blew it. If I were you, I’d leave and go back to wherever you’re wanted because you’re not welcome here by any of us, especially not by Laelia.”

As I speak, his face turns an alarming shade of red. He points a trembling finger at me and sneers. “You’re the reason I don’t have a relationship with my daughter!” he hisses, stepping closer. “You’re the reason I’ll never have a relationship with my daughter!” Another step. “You’re the reason I have no family anymore!” Another step, leaving him just inches from me.

He’s trying to intimidate me, but it’s not working. I’m not afraid of him. His attempts to make me grovel for his forgiveness are misplaced—he’s barking up the wrong tree.

“Step back and leave the premises,” Ethan commands, his voice firm. Brian’s gaze shifts to Ethan, his eyes filled with menace.

“I’d keep that mouth shut if I were you, pretty boy. It won’t be so pretty after I’m done with you,” Brian threatens.

Ethan lifts his chin, meeting Brian’s hostility with calm defiance. “Is that a threat?” he asks.

“No,” Brian hisses, “That’s a fucking promise.”

Ethan steps closer, unflinching. “Come and say that to my face. Let’s see what happens.”

Brian, not one to back down, strides past me and swings at Ethan. Ethan lands the first punch, and suddenly, it’s a full-blown brawl. They’re trading blows, and the room fills with chaos.

As much as I’d relish seeing Ethan teach Brian a lesson he desperately needs, I’m not keen on the idea of Ethan ending up in jail because of this drugged-up misfit. Brian’s got a knack for stirring up trouble, and one day he’s going to mess with the wrong people. When that happens, he’ll either end up in the hospital or six feet under. And as harsh as it sounds, I wouldn’t mind if it were the latter. He’s a drain on society, a disgrace. He’s mistreated his wife, ignored his daughter, and exploited his drug-addicted girlfriend. He’s a waste of space.

I charge forwards and pull Ethan back as he struggles against me. “He’s not worth it,” I say, trying to reason with him. Ethan shakes off my grip and wipes blood from his lip, a smirk playing on his face.

“I got a few good hits in,” he chuckles, his tone light. “Next time, he won’t be so lucky.”

Brian glares at Ethan, spitting blood onto the floor. “Next time, you won’t be so lucky,” he snarls.

Ethan just laughs, finding Brian’s threat amusing. “We both know you’ll end up in the hospital.”

Maeve, who has been watching the scene unfold, finally speaks up. “I think it’s time you left,” she says, drawing Brian’s attention.

Brian’s eyes narrow as he smirks and licks his lips. “Well, aren’t you a pretty thing,” he leers.

Ethan moves to advance, but Toby grabs him by the back of his shirt, holding him back. “Leave it,” Toby advises.

Brian sneers at Ethan, “Sit down, little doggy, and listen to your master.”

I step forward, gesturing towards the door. “Leave and don’t come back. You’re not wanted here.”

Brian’s face twists with rage as he glares at me. “Keep your eyes open, Killian. You’re the reason I’ll never see my daughter again. You’re the reason she’s gone.”

“No, Brian,” I retort, “the reason she’s out of your life is because you’re a selfish man who treats women like garbage. You use them for their money to fuel your addictions and discard them when they’re no longer useful. If I were you, I’d leave now before we call the police.”

Brian spits at my feet and shoots a final, contemptuous glance at us all before storming out and slamming the door behind him.

What the hell just happened?

Sweeping up the shards of glass, I carefully scoop them into the dustpan, wincing as I hear the crunching sound under the bristles. I dump the contents into the bin, only to look around our shop in dismay. The place is in disarray, a chaotic mess that will likely set us back several hundred pounds to repair and replace everything. The sight is disheartening, and it’s hard not to feel a sinking pit in my stomach as I contemplate the cost and the effort it’s going to take to get things back to normal.

My gaze shifts to Ethan, who is slumped on the sofa with Maeve working diligently to patch up his bruised face. Ethan’s eyes lock onto mine, and it feels as though I can almost see steam rising from his ears, so intense is his glare. Despite our recent confrontation with Brian and the brief argument that followed, Ethan has barely spoken to me. His silence speaks volumes, and it’s clear he’s not just frustrated but genuinely concerned. He thinks my persistent nightmares might be linked to the concussion I suffered just over a month ago and that I should see a specialist. But I’m convinced that’s not the issue. I believe that, in time, these nightmares will fade away on their own. It’s just a matter of waiting it out.

Maeve finishes up her work on Ethan and starts gathering the scattered debris and rubbish from the floor. With a nod of acknowledgement, she exits the room. Toby enters next, his expression a mix of exhaustion and frustration, and lets out a heavy sigh as he surveys the damage. "Alright," he says, rubbing his temples, "I think the best course of action right now is for us to head home, take a moment to unwind, and then come back tomorrow to tackle this mess." His voice carries a note of finality, suggesting that while we’ve hit a rough patch, there’s a clear path forward.

Ethan’s eyes, sharp and unyielding, finally shift away from me and land on Toby. “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I don’t think we can do much now anyway,” he says, but there’s a noticeable edge in his voice.

Toby nods, but there’s a palpable unease in the air as he looks between us. “Alright then. I’ll start clearing up,” he says, moving to help with the debris.

As Toby begins tidying up, Ethan pushes himself off the sofa, clearly agitated. He walks over to me, his expression a mix of frustration and desperation. “Killian, we need to talk,” he says, his voice low but firm.

I glance at him, trying to read his mood, but my own frustration is starting to bubble over. “About what? The mess? The broken glass? Or is it the fact that you’re still convinced my nightmares are something serious?”

Ethan shakes his head, clearly struggling to keep his emotions in check. “No, it’s not just about that. It’s about everything. We’re running in circles, and I’m tired of it. I need you to come back to reality, Killian.”

I feel a jolt of anger. “Reality? What the hell does that even mean? You think I’m living in some fantasy world?”

“Yes!” Ethan’s voice rises, a mix of anger and desperation. “You’re not dealing with what’s happening right now. You’re lost in these nightmares, and it’s affecting everything. It’s affecting us. I can’t keep going like this.”

I cross my arms, my jaw clenched. “And what about you? I’m not the only one with issues. I’m not the only one who’s struggling. What about the secrets you’ve been keeping? The things you’re not telling me? The way you’ve been acting so strange around me?”

Ethan’s face flushes with frustration. “That’s exactly my point! We’ve been keeping secrets, and it’s tearing us apart. I’m trying to hold everything together, but it’s impossible when you’re not even here, mentally. I need you to be present, to face what’s happening. I need you to stop burying yourself from the truth.”

His words hit hard, and I can see the strain in his eyes. He’s reaching out, but it feels like he’s pushing me further away at the same time. “I’m trying, Ethan. I really am. But it’s not easy when I don’t even know what the fucks going on. You don’t understand what it’s like—”

Ethan cuts me off, his voice cracking with emotion. “And you don’t understand how hard it is for me to deal with all of this. I’m at my breaking point. I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep carrying all these secrets and uncertainties. I need to focus on getting through this too because you’re not the only one, and right now, I need some space.”

His words hang in the air, heavy and charged. There’s a long pause as the weight of what he’s said settles between us. I can see the hurt in his eyes, the exhaustion.

Toby, sensing the tension, quietly steps away to give us space. Ethan’s expression softens just slightly, though the frustration remains. He takes a deep breath, trying to regain his composure.

Ethan continues, his voice calmer but still firm. “I just need some time to figure things out. To clear my head. I can’t keep doing this if it’s just going to drag us down more.”

I nod slowly, my own emotions in turmoil. “Okay, Ethan. If that’s what you need, then... I guess we’ll take some time apart. But I hope you know I’m still here, even if we’re not seeing eye to eye right now.”

Ethan gives a small, strained nod. “I know. And I appreciate that. I just need to get my head straight.”

With that, Ethan turns and heads towards the door, his shoulders heavy with the burden of his thoughts. I watch him go, feeling a mix of relief and sorrow. The shop is still a mess, and our relationship is more strained than ever. But for now, the only thing we can do is take a step back and hope that time will bring some clarity.

Toby approaches me cautiously, his eyes full of concern. “Do you want to talk about it? Or should we just finish cleaning up?”

I shake my head, my voice low. “No, let’s just clean up. We can talk about it later. I think I just need some time to process everything.”

Toby nods understandingly and joins me in the cleanup. The shop remains in disarray, but there’s a fragile sense of calm as we work in silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts.