CHAPTER 463: LOVE, AFTER THE LIGHTS FADE (10)

As he pushed through the sliding doors, the receptionist at the front desk looked up. She froze for half a second, then smiled politely.

"Oh! Mr. Carter. You’re here for Dr. Tara?"

Her tone was casual, as if this was a normal husband-picking-up-wife moment.

"Yes," Ethan said quickly, leaning on the counter. "Where is she?"

"She’s in her office, I believe," the receptionist replied. "End of the east corridor, second floor..Should I call her?"

"No. I’ll go to her myself."

She blinked at his sudden urgency but nodded. "Alright. Her office is—"

But Ethan was already moving.

**

The hallways smelled faintly of antiseptic and floor cleaner. His footsteps echoed sharply against the tile. He passed a couple of nurses, gave a quick nod, and kept going. The corridor felt too long, too quiet.

When he reached the east wing, he saw her office door — closed. He tried the handle.

Locked.

His chest tightened. He knocked firmly. "Tara? It’s me. Open up."

There was no answer.

He knocked harder. "Tara!"

Inside, Tara’s breath hitched. Justin’s grip was still firm on her arm, his face far too close. She had tried to twist away, but he was stronger. And now — now she could hear Ethan’s voice through the door.

Her eyes flooded instantly. "Ethan!" she tried to shout, but Justin’s hand clamped over her mouth. Her words came out muffled. She kicked against the floor, trying to make noise.

Outside, Ethan froze at the faint sound — that muffled, desperate voice. Every instinct in him sharpened.

He banged the door with his fist. "Tara! Are you in there?"

A crash from inside made his blood run cold.

***

He turned, spotting a nurse a few feet away. "Get security. Now!" His tone was so sharp, the nurse didn’t hesitate — she sprinted down the hall.

It was the office door.

Ethan’s gaze fixed on it. He stepped back once, then kicked hard near the lock. The frame shuddered but didn’t give. He kicked again. And again. On the third kick, the wood splintered, the lock tore loose, and the door swung inward.

The sight made his vision blur with rage.

Justin had both hands on Tara, pinning her against the desk. Her hair was messy, her cheeks wet with tears. She looked terrified and furious.

Ethan didn’t think. He crossed the room in two strides, yanking Justin off her so hard the older man stumbled back.

Tara gasped, rushing toward Ethan. He put an arm behind her protectively, his eyes locked on Justin.

"You touch her again," Ethan said, his voice low but shaking with rage, "and I swear you won’t walk out of here."

Justin’s face was pale, but he tried to regain composure. "You don’t understand—"

Ethan’s fist connected with his jaw before he could finish. The sound was sharp, sickening. Justin staggered, crashing into the side cabinet.

Tara grabbed Ethan’s arm. "Stop—"

But Ethan stepped forward again, grabbing Justin by the collar and slamming him against the wall. His voice was raw now. "You think you can put your hands on her? In her workplace? You think no one will find out?"

Security arrived then — two guards and the nurse. They froze at the sight of Ethan holding Justin up by his collar.

"Call the police," Ethan barked without looking at them.

The senior guard nodded, pulling out his radio. "We have an assault attempt in Dr.Tara’s office. Lock down the east wing."

Justin tried to speak, but Ethan shoved him back against the wall again. "Say one more word, and I’ll make sure you leave here with more than a broken career."

Tara’s hand squeezed his wrist. "Ethan... please." Her voice was shaky, but she was calmer now that Justin was under control.

He finally let go, stepping back but still keeping himself between Justin and Tara. Two security guards immediately grabbed Justin’s arms, twisting them behind his back.

"Mr. Carter, the police are on their way," one guard said.

Within ten minutes, two uniformed officers arrived. They spoke first to the guards, then to Tara. She explained in a steady voice what had happened, though Ethan could see the tightness in her jaw. She left nothing out — how Justin had closed the door, how he’d grabbed her, what he’d said.

When she mentioned the anonymous flowers and the "starlight" card, one of the officers exchanged a look with his partner. "We’ll need to take those for evidence," he said.

The bouquets from earlier were collected, including the one with the cream ribbon. Justin’s desk and locker would be searched later.

Justin, meanwhile, tried to talk his way out of it, saying it was a "misunderstanding," that he "meant no harm." But the split lip and swelling jaw from Ethan’s punch made him look less like a victim and more like exactly what he was.

One officer read him his rights. The other pulled out handcuffs. The click of metal was loud in the small office.

"You’re under arrest for assault and harassment," the officer said firmly. "You have the right to remain silent—"

Justin’s protests were cut short as he was walked out of the room. The hallway outside was no longer quiet; staff had gathered, whispering, their faces a mix of shock and anger.

When the last of the officers left, Ethan turned to Tara. "Are you okay?" His voice had softened now, though his hands were still tense at his sides.

She nodded slowly. "I am now." Her eyes searched his face. "How did you get here so fast?"

"Ace saw you at the award venue. Said you looked upset. Then you didn’t answer my calls. I couldn’t sit there not knowing."

Her throat tightened. "You came straight here?"

"Straight here," he said, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "And I swear, Tara... no one touches you like that. Not while I’m breathing."

For the first time since she’d walked into the office that evening, her lips curved into the faintest smile. "You nearly beat him to death."

He didn’t deny it. "And if security hadn’t shown up, I might have."

She reached for his hand, squeezing it. "Thank you."

He held her hand firmly, the tension in his shoulders finally easing. "You don’t thank me for protecting what’s mine."