Chapter 10: The Public Exposure
Ethan moved fast.
By the afternoon, he had already set several things in motion.
He contacted a trusted journalist at the city’s largest newspaper — someone who had worked with him before on sensitive stories. He didn’t give them everything, but he gave them enough to start asking questions about Dr. Adrian Vaughn’s past relationships and professional conduct.
He also reached out to two nurses who had worked with Adrian in the past. Both had quietly left the hospital after conflicts with him. With Ava’s permission, Ethan asked if they would be willing to speak — off the record at first.
One of them agreed.
Meanwhile, Ethan made sure Ava was protected. He assigned two members of his security team to watch over her whenever she left the penthouse. He changed the locks on her old apartment remotely and had her belongings moved into storage.
Adrian tried calling and texting Ava multiple times throughout the day. She didn’t answer.
By evening, the first cracks in Adrian’s perfect image began to show.
A small article appeared online questioning “the sudden withdrawal of two nurses from Dr. Adrian Vaughn’s team” and mentioning “concerns about workplace conduct.” It was vague, but it was enough to make people talk.
Adrian called Ava again that night.
This time, his voice was shaking with rage.
“You’re doing this,” he spat. “You and that bastard Carter. You’re trying to ruin me.”
Ava stood in Ethan’s living room, the phone on speaker.
“I’m not doing anything,” she said quietly. “But I’m also not protecting you anymore.”
“You think anyone will believe you?” Adrian snarled. “You’re nothing without me. You’re just some assistant who got lucky. I made you someone.”
Ethan took the phone from Ava’s hand.
“No,” he said coldly. “You broke her. And now you’re going to pay for it.”
He ended the call.
Ava looked at him, her eyes wide.
“Ethan… this is going to get ugly.”
“I know,” he said. “But ugly is better than you living in fear.”
He stepped closer, his voice softening.
“I’m not going to let him touch you again, Ava. I promise.”
For the first time since she had known him, Ava allowed herself to lean into Ethan’s strength.
She stepped forward and rested her forehead against his chest.
May you like
Ethan froze for a second, then slowly wrapped his arms around her, careful not to hold her too tightly.
They stood like that for a long time — two people who had spent months pretending they didn’t feel anything, finally allowing themselves to be honest.
