[Major Changes had been done to the last chapter, if you've read it before the edit, pls reload and reread, you won't regret it, sorry for the inconvenience]
Ethan's throat felt tight. He sighed, his free hand running through his hair in frustration. "Mia… it's decided. I'm leaving at dawn. There's no changing that."
Darius exhaled through his nose, leaning back in his chair. He shot Ethan a sideways glance, something hard flickering in his eyes.
Then he forced a crooked grin. "Well, I guess we can't stop you. You are all stubborn as hell." He jabbed a thumb at himself. "Present company included."
Dan finally set down his knife and looked up, his stoic face giving Ethan a rare, approving nod.
Ethan could feel it now — the fight in them had drained away. They knew there was no point in pressing him further. He and Gareth had made up their minds, and neither would back down.
