Five years later.
The world had almost forgotten the name Ethan Blake.
Once a man whose mere presence made the global financial markets tremble, he had vanished without a single trace after that fateful day at the cathedral.
Rumors flew wildly.
"He died in the streets, penniless and alone!""He joined an underground fight club to survive!""I heard he sold his last kidney just to buy a plane ticket to chase her!"
But no one really knew.
Until today.
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The grand ballroom was filled with music and laughter. Amelia sat gracefully at the center, more beautiful and radiant than ever. Her hand rested on her now visibly pregnant belly, the clear sign of her new, perfect life with Prince Alexander.
Aiden and Aaron, now ten years old, stood tall at her sides, the living embodiment of nobility and confidence.
And then—
The lights flickered.
The music stopped.
The grand doors slammed open with a bang.
A hush fell over the hall as a man slowly walked in, drenched from the pouring rain outside, his ragged breaths loud against the silence.
His appearance was shocking—his once flawless face now roughened by scars, his once pristine hands calloused and cracked, his knees trembling with every step.
But his eyes…
Those haunted, desperate eyes could only belong to one man.
Ethan Blake.
He stopped before Amelia and their sons, falling to his knees with a sickening crack that echoed through the silent hall.
His voice broke the tension, raw and filled with years of regret.
"Amelia… boys… I—I've returned. I have nothing. I am nothing. But if you'll allow me…"
He lifted his scarred hands, trembling uncontrollably.
"Just… call me 'Dad'… one more time. Please…"
Aiden took a slow step forward, towering over the broken man who once ruled over the world.
He crouched down, staring coldly into Ethan's hollow eyes.
"Do you remember, Mr. Blake," Aiden said slowly, every word sharp as a blade, "the day you told Mommy she couldn't afford you?"
Ethan collapsed even lower, pressing his forehead against the marble floor.
Aaron crossed his arms beside his brother.
"Now, even we can't afford to pity you."
Without another word, the twins turned their backs on him, their footsteps in perfect unison as they walked away.
Amelia stood up gracefully, her voice soft yet deadly as she looked down at the man groveling at her feet.
"Mr. Blake… you've knelt enough in this lifetime. But unfortunately… you're still not worthy."
The orchestra resumed playing as if nothing had happened.
And Ethan Blake, the once-mighty devil CEO, remained kneeling there long after everyone else had left, the rain pouring in through the open doors, washing away the last remnants of his pride.