Ethan stood there, watching the door slam shut. "William would never intentionally hurt you," he said softly to the closed door.

Elise's voice was sharp through the wood. "He's pushing every boundary I have right now!"

The force of the door closing echoed in the hallway. Ethan pressed his lips together, feeling the intensity of her anger.

He wondered if William would ever manage to earn her forgiveness after this.

Inside the room, Elise's heart raced with fury. She took deep breaths, trying to calm the storm inside her. She needed to think clearly, to find a way out of this situation.

She refused to be controlled, especially by someone like William Levine.

Her eyes narrowed with determination as she picked up her phone and dialed Patrick.

His voice came through immediately, straightforward as always. "What's your arrival time? I'll be there to pick you up."

"I can't come. There are people preventing me from leaving."

There was a brief pause on the other end. "William Levine?"

"Yes."

"And you need my assistance."

"Correct."

"I'm on my way," Patrick said without hesitation.

"Thank you."

Elise ended the call, placing all her hopes in Patrick's capable hands.

When Elise opened her door later that afternoon, Ethan was still standing guard outside. He maintained a respectful distance, along with the other security personnel.

"Come inside," she told Ethan.

He simply looked at her, so she clarified, "For lunch."

"Alright." Ethan didn't refuse her invitation and stepped into her apartment.

"I can only prepare pasta right now. Is that acceptable?" Elise asked.

"Thank you," he replied quietly.

She prepared two bowls, and they sat together at the table. They ate in silence, observing proper table manners.

"Have you completely left the Levine family?" Elise asked casually between bites.

"Yes."

"That wasn't necessary. Especially not under these circumstances."

"It's already done," Ethan said flatly.

He seemed resigned, as if nothing in life mattered much anymore. His demeanor was more tragic than if he had actually died.

"Elizabeth is doing quite well these days," Elise mentioned. "She's learned how to cook properly now. She even invited Samantha and me to her place to try her cooking whenever we're available."

"I see," Ethan responded.

"Things seem to be progressing nicely between her and Nathan too," Elise added.

"I won't interfere with their lives," Ethan promised.

"I'm simply saying that if she can move on, perhaps you should consider doing the same."

Ethan looked up at Elise as she finished, "Don't trap yourself in this hopeless situation."

"Aren't you angry with me?" Ethan asked, surprised. "For keeping you confined here?"

"No," Elise stated firmly. "My anger is reserved solely for William."

"He-" Ethan began, but Elise cut him off.

"He had no other choice," she said, her voice edged with sarcasm. "I've heard that excuse more times than I can count."

Ethan offered a faint smile, recognizing there was nothing more he could say about the matter.