THE Golden Days⁴
[Maya didn’t care about right or wrong, she had become obsessed for Ethan. She wanted to see him humbled, no matter what it took. She was determined to find a way to make him submit and experience defeat.]
~CHAPTER 13: HAPPY RACHEL, TENSED ETHAN~
Ethan's time off dawned with a renewed sense of purpose. He had spent the past few days immersed in Rachel’s presence, enjoying the simple pleasures of life that they hadn’t shared in a long time.
Each moment with her had felt like a balm to his troubled soul, easing the guilt that had been gnawing at him since his affair with Maya began. Yet, despite the joy of these days, there was an underlying tension that Ethan couldn’t quite shake off—a lingering unease about the path his life had taken.
After a leisurely breakfast, Rachel suggested they do something meaningful together.
Rachel Montgomery
“Ethan, I’ve been thinking,”
She said as they sat on the couch, sipping coffee.
Rachel Montgomery
“Why don’t we spend the day at the orphanage? We could take some toys and treats for the children. I think it would be wonderful to bring some joy to their day.”
Ethan looked at her, a warm smile spreading across his face. Rachel’s compassion had always been one of the things he loved most about her.
Ethan Montgomery
“That sounds perfect,”
Ethan Montgomery
“Let’s make it a day they’ll remember.”
They spent the morning shopping, picking out toys, books, and clothes for the children. Rachel’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she selected items, imagining the smiles on the children’s faces. Ethan couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of admiration for her; this was the woman he had fallen in love with, the woman he had promised to cherish.
As they walked through the aisles, Ethan picked up a plush teddy bear, holding it up for Rachel to see.
Ethan Montgomery
“What do you think? Do you think one of the little girls would like this?”
Rachel Montgomery
“I’m sure she will. It’s adorable.”
They continued shopping, their cart gradually filling up with toys, books, and clothes. As they moved through the store, they chatted and laughed, their earlier tension easing with each passing moment. For the first time in a long while, Ethan felt truly at peace.
Once they had everything they needed, they drove to the orphanage. The building was modest but well-maintained, with a cheerful atmosphere that was immediately apparent as they walked through the doors.
The children, ranging in age from toddlers to teenagers, greeted them with bright smiles and curious eyes.
Rachel Montgomery
“Hello, everyone!”
Rachel greeted the children with a warm smile as she and Ethan began to distribute the toys.
The children gathered around them, their eyes wide with excitement as they received their gifts. A little boy, no older than six, approached Ethan with a shy smile.
Little boy
“Is this for me?”
He asked, his voice barely above a whisper as he pointed to the teddy bear in Ethan’s hand.
Ethan knelt down to the boy’s level and handed him the bear.
Ethan Montgomery
“Yes, it’s all yours,”
Ethan Montgomery
“Take good care of it.”
Ethan Montgomery
The boy’s face lit up with joy as he hugged the bear tightly.
He exclaimed, his shyness forgotten.
Rachel was nearby, helping a young girl with long dark hair choose a book.
Rachel Montgomery
“Do you like stories?”
Rachel asked, holding up a picture book with colorful illustrations.
Little girl
“Yes! I love stories.”
Rachel smiled and handed her the book.
Rachel Montgomery
“This one’s for you, then. I hope you enjoy it.”
As they continued to interact with the children, Ethan found himself lost at the moment. The simple joy of giving, of seeing the happiness on the children’s faces, filled him with a sense of fulfillment he hadn’t felt in a long time. He realized how much he had missed doing things like this—sharing experiences with Rachel that brought them closer together.
After spending time with the children, playing games and reading stories, the couple prepared to leave. The children waved goodbye, their laughter echoing in the halls as Ethan and Rachel made their way back to the car.
Rachel Montgomery
“That was wonderful,”
Rachel said as they got into the car.
Rachel Montgomery
“I’m so glad we did this.”
Ethan nodded, feeling a sense of contentment washing over him.
Ethan Montgomery
“It was. I haven’t felt this good in a long time, Rachel.”
She looked at him, her eyes softening.
Rachel Montgomery
“Me neither. These past few days have been like a dream.”
Ethan smiled, reaching over to take her hand.
Ethan Montgomery
“I’m glad we’re doing this together.”
They decided to stop for a pizza before heading home, finding a small, cozy pizzeria nearby. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with the smell of fresh dough and melting cheese filling the air.
As they sat at their table, waiting for their pizza, they talked about everything and nothing—their favorite memories, funny stories from their past, and their hopes for the future. It was as if the years of distance between them had melted away, leaving only the love that had brought them together in the first place.
Rachel laughed at something Ethan said, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
Rachel Montgomery
“I can’t believe you still remember that!”
Ethan Montgomery
“Of course I do,”
Ethan replied with a grin.
Rachel Montgomery
“How could I forget?”
Their pizza arrived, and they dug in with gusto. The conversation flowed easily, the atmosphere light and relaxed. For a moment, it felt like they were on a date, just the two of them, with no worries or distractions.
But as they were finishing their meal, Rachel glanced out the window and noticed the sky had darkened.
Rachel Montgomery
“It looks like it’s going to rain,”
Ethan looked outside, nodding in agreement.
Ethan Montgomery
“We should probably head back soon.”
They paid the bill and left the pizzeria, stepping outside just as the first drops of rain began to fall. Rachel tilted her head back, closing her eyes as the cool rain kissed her skin.
Rachel Montgomery
“It’s been so long since we’ve been caught in the rain,”
She murmured, a smile playing on her lips.
Ethan watched her, captivated by the simple joy she took at the moment.
Ethan Montgomery
“You always loved the rain,”
Rachel opened her eyes and looked at him, her smile widening.
Rachel Montgomery
“Come on, let’s enjoy it,”
She urged, taking his hand and pulling him into the open.
The rain began to fall more heavily, soaking them through as they laughed and splashed in the puddles. Rachel twirled around, her laughter echoing through the empty streets. Ethan couldn’t help but join in, feeling a sense of freedom he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
They danced in the rain, their worries forgotten as they lost themselves at the moment. It was as if the rain was washing away all the doubts, the fears, the mistakes of the past few months, leaving only the love they shared.
At one point, Rachel stopped and looked up at Ethan, her eyes shining with happiness.
Rachel Montgomery
“I’m so glad we had these days together,”
Ethan smiled, pulling her close.
Ethan Montgomery
“Me too, Rachel. Me too.”
They stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, as the rain continued to fall around them. The world faded away, leaving only the two of them, together in their own little bubble of happiness.
Eventually, the rain began to let up, and they decided it was time to head home. They were drenched, but neither of them cared. The joy of the day, the connection they had rekindled, was more than worth it.
As they drove back home, Rachel leaned her head against Ethan’s shoulder, a contented smile on her face.
Rachel Montgomery
“These have been the best days, Ethan. I feel like we’ve found each other again.”
Ethan kissed the top of her head, his heart swelling with emotion.
Ethan Montgomery
“We have, Rachel. And I’m not going to let us drift apart again.”
When they arrived home, they quickly changed out of their wet clothes and dried off. The warmth of the house was comforting after the chill of the rain, and they settled on the couch with a blanket, enjoying the quiet of the evening.
Rachel snuggled up to Ethan, resting her head on his chest.
Rachel Montgomery
“I never want this to end,”
Ethan Montgomery
“It doesn’t have to,”
Ethan replied, holding her close.
Rachel Montgomery
“We’ll make time for each other, no matter what.”
They spent the rest of the evening in each other’s arms, watching the rain fall outside. The world seemed to stand still, giving them a moment of peace that they desperately needed.
The next morning, as they were having breakfast, Rachel finally brought up the topic of her hospital visit.
Rachel Montgomery
“Ethan, about the other day at the hospital… I’m sorry if I worried you. It turns out it was just a gastric problem. The doctor said it was nothing serious.”
Ethan nodded, relief flooding through him.
Ethan Montgomery
“I’m glad to hear that. I was worried when I couldn’t find you.”
Rachel reached across the table, taking his hand.
Rachel Montgomery
“I know you’ve been under a lot of stress, Ethan. But we’ll get through this together, just like we always have.”
Ethan squeezed her hand, feeling a pang of guilt as he thought about Maya. But he pushed the thought aside, focusing on the woman in front of him—the woman he loved.
Ethan Montgomery
“Thank you, Rachel. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Over the next few days, Ethan continued to ignore Maya’s calls and messages. He knew he needed to figure out what he truly wanted, but for now, he was content to focus on Rachel and their relationship.
Maya, however, wasn’t so easily deterred. She was determined to get Ethan’s attention, no matter what it took.
But for now, Ethan and Rachel were in their own little world, rebuilding the connection they had lost and finding joy in the simple moments they shared.
Author[Noor]
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