Chapter 9 1/2 Ethan finished up his work and got up to leave . At the door , he ran into Nicole and Daniel . Daniel was struggling to carry a cup of coffee as he walked toward him . " Ethan , where are you going ? " " Dad , I'm here to apologize . " Daniel lifted the coffee in his hands . " Please don't be mad anymore . " Nicole leaned closer to Ethan , her chest brushing against his arm . " Ethan , the boy knows he made a mistake . Give him another chance . " Her subtle movements were glaringly obvious to Ethan . She had deliberately unbuttoned the top of her blouse and painted her lips a gaudy red . Her eyes were flirty . " Ethan , don't hold it against him . He's just a child . " Nicole's warm breath tickled his neck . " It was just a small mistake . Don't be upset , okay ? " Ethan frowned . The woman fawning over him now was nothing like the proud and aloof Nicole he once knew . She couldn't compare to Faith . Faith always stayed composed and cool , never once displaying such overt and seductive moves . When it came to the children they raised , Daniel was nowhere near as well - behaved as Callie . Where had things gone wrong ? Why did Nicole and Daniel feel so off today ? " A small mistake ? Do you have any idea how much damage Daniel has caused the company ? " Ethan's tone was harsh . " Ethan , don't be angry . Daniel made this coffee for you himself . He knew he was wrong . " Nicole panicked and pushed Daniel forward . Both mother and son looked up at him expectantly , their eyes filled with longing . Ethan's heart clenched . He knew that look too well . Faith and Callie had always looked at him the same way . " Forget it . Just be more careful next time . " Frustration crept into his voice , and his stance softened against his will . He didn't want to argue further . " Stop bringing him to the office so often . " " Say thank you to Dad . " Daniel lifted the coffee . " Dad , I'll be good from now on ! I won't make you mad again ! " Ethan didn't accept the coffee , simply humming noncommittally before brushing past them and walking toward the elevator . " Ethari , where are you going ? " Sensing something was off , Nicole hurried after him . " Let's have dinner tonight . I'll make your favorite dishes . " Ethan shot her a cold glance as he took in her revealing outfit . " I have plans . You're here to work - behave accordingly . " Nicole froze in place when she saw the dissatisfaction in Ethan's eyes . Why had his attitude toward her and Daniel suddenly changed ? No way . After all she had done to work her way into Ethan's life , she couldn't afford to lose him again . Ethan drove back to the villa . On the way , he spotted a family of three walking hand in hand . The father held a cotton candy , bending down every few steps to let his child take a bite . The child giggled happily as the mother watched them warmly . The heartwarming scene made his chest tighten . For some reason , it reminded him of Faith and Callie . He had never once enjoyed a day out with them . Pulling over , Ethan got out and bought a cotton candy and a corndog . This was the first time he had ever bought a treat for Callie . She'd probably be delighted . He hadn't been there for her birthday yesterday . Today , he would make it up to her and take them out for dinner . -With that thought , he parked his car and carried the treats home . The villa was empty . No one greeted him . " Faith ? " Callie ? " He was met with a dead silence that made his heart clench with unease . He set the cotton candy and other snacks on the table and hurried upstairs to check on them . The rooms were empty . Chapter 9 Taking out his phone , he dialed Faith's number . Her phone was still turned off . " Callie should still be in school , " he murmured , glancing at the time . He had been too anxious . Callie must still be at school , so he grabbed the treats again and drove straight to the preschool . One by one , the children left the school after classes , but he did not spot Callie , Frowning , Ethan stepped out of his car and walked to the preschool entrance . Anna Burns , the teacher on duty , recognized him immediately . " Mr. Hale , Daniel was absent today . " Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!