Mr Cold Ceo Loves Me

My life has always been a bit unconventional. Growing up with limited resources, my brother and I had to fend for ourselves alongside our overworked mom after our parents’ divorce. While my brother dove into his studies with relentless determination, earning himself a place in medical school, I struggled to find the same academic drive. He was the golden child, the one who made our mom proud. He eventually became a doctor, the pride of our family, while I found my niche in accounting. Though my journey wasn’t as celebrated, I carved out a comfortable life for myself—a decent job, a steady boyfriend, and for a while, everything seemed perfect. Or so I thought. Then one day, everything changed. It was just an ordinary morning at work until I received a message from HR: "Miss Isabella, we regret to inform you that your services are no longer required."The words seemed to blur on the screen as my heart sank. I couldn’t believe it. What had I done wrong? How could this happen out of nowhere? My mind raced, trying to grasp the reality of the situation. My second-class degree wasn’t exactly a golden ticket in the job market, and I knew finding another position like this one would be an uphill battle. I’d worked so hard to build this life, and now it felt like it was crumbling before my eyes. Feeling completely deflated, I decided I needed a drink—a strong one. I found myself at a bar I’d never been to before, its dim lighting and low hum of chatter providing a strange sense of comfort. I ordered a vodka, the burn in my throat grounding me momentarily. As I sat there, wallowing in my misfortune, I heard a voice next to me. “What’s a pretty girl like you doing here all alone?” I turned, half-expecting some sleazy pickup line, but instead, I met the most charming man I’d ever laid eyes on. His presence was magnetic, drawing me in with a warmth that I hadn’t felt in a long time. Just as I was about to respond, he leaned in slightly, his expression shifting from playful to concerned. “And more importantly, who did that to your face?” His question caught me off guard. My hand instinctively went to the bruise on my cheek that I’d tried so hard to cover up with makeup. No one had asked me about it before. No one seemed to care. But here was this stranger, genuinely worried about me. For the first time in a long time, I felt a glimmer of hope—a sense that someone actually cared. His name was Ethan, and he had a way of making me feel at ease, as if I’d known him for years. “It’s a long story,” I mumbled, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Well, I’ve got nowhere to be,” Ethan replied, signaling the bartender for another drink. “Go ahead, tell me what’s going on.” I hesitated, unsure if I should unload my problems onto a stranger. But there was something in Ethan’s eyes, a kindness that made me feel safe, like I could trust him. So I began to talk. I told him everything—from the sudden loss of my job to my turbulent relationship with my boyfriend, Mark. I didn’t sugarcoat anything, explaining how Mark had started becoming abusive. How he used to be so loving at the beginning, showering me with affection and promises, only for his true nature to surface later on. At first, I thought the change was temporary, something we could work through. But as time passed, Mark became more distant, more cruel. He rarely showed any genuine interest in my feelings or needs. I felt like a burden to him, constantly walking on eggshells, afraid of triggering his temper. It was like I had become invisible, my needs and emotions buried under his demands. I wasn’t even sure if he loved me anymore—or if he ever truly had. The truth was, I had never really felt loved. Not by Mark, and not by my parents either. My parents were functional, sure, but they weren’t affectionate. My father’s abandonment during the divorce confirmed what I’d always feared—that I wasn’t worth sticking around for. My mother, although hardworking, was emotionally unavailable. She was always too busy to notice my struggles, too preoccupied with making ends meet to care about my mental health or interests. I often felt like a ghost in my own home, overlooked and underappreciated. It didn’t help that I wasn’t the studious type like my brother. My brother, who loved studying, eventually became a doctor. My mother was so proud of him, beaming with happiness at his achievements. And then there was me—the one who could never quite measure up. I felt like a disappointment in comparison, a shadow in the bright light of my brother’s success. It was as if nothing I did was ever enough to make her truly proud of me. With Mark, I tried to leave the relationship several times. But every time I gathered the courage to walk away, something stopped me. He would threaten to hurt my family and friends if I dared leave him. I felt trapped, suffocated by his threats and manipulation. Life was not fair. He cheated on me countless times with other women, yet he still held me against my will, as if I were a possession he refused to let go of. Each betrayal cut deeper than the last, making me feel worthless and unlovable. His abuse wasn’t just physical; it was mental and emotional too. He belittled me, made me doubt my worth, and isolated me from those who cared about me. Over time, I became a shell of the person I once was, drained of energy, hope, and self-esteem. Ethan listened to my story without interrupting, his expression one of deep concern. I was bracing myself for judgment, for pity, but when he finally spoke, his words were firm and supportive. “You don’t deserve to be treated like that,” he said, his voice full of conviction. “No one does.” “I know,” I replied, tears welling up in my eyes. “But I don’t know what to do. I’m scared of what might happen next.” “You need to take care of yourself, Isabella,” Ethan said, his tone gentle yet resolute. “You deserve better than that.” I nodded, but the weight of my situation bore down on me, making it hard to see a way out. I knew Ethan was right, but the idea of escaping felt impossible. That’s when Ethan surprised me with an offer that I never expected. “Come stay with me,” he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “I have a spare room, and you can stay there until you get back on your feet.” At first, I was hesitant. I didn’t know Ethan, not really, and accepting his offer seemed reckless, even foolish. But something about him made me feel safe, as if he were a lifeline in the middle of a stormy sea. I knew I couldn’t stay in my current situation any longer. Every instinct told me that staying with Mark would only lead to more pain, more danger. I had to get out, and Ethan was offering me a way to do that. “Okay,” I said, my voice shaky but resolute. “I’ll take you up on your offer.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. It wasn’t just the idea of getting away from Mark—it was the knowledge that someone cared, that I wasn’t alone in this nightmare anymore. Ethan’s kindness, his willingness to help, gave me the strength I needed to take the first step toward reclaiming my life. But as I sat there, the reality of what I was about to do began to sink in. I was about to walk away from everything I knew, to trust a man I had just met. It was terrifying, and yet, in that moment, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time—hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, things could get better. That I could find a way out of this darkness and start over. Ethan smiled at me, and I could see the sincerity in his eyes. “You’re doing the right thing,” he said, as if reading my mind. “It’s not going to be easy, but you’re stronger than you think.” I nodded, feeling a mixture of fear and determination. For the first time in years, I was making a decision for myself, not out of fear or obligation, but out of a desire to live—to truly live, free from the chains that had bound me for so long. It was a scary thought, but also an exhilarating one. I didn’t know what the future held, but with Ethan’s support, I was ready to face it. And so, with a heart full of trepidation and hope, I left the bar with Ethan that night, not knowing where this new path would lead, but determined to find out. I had finally taken the first step toward breaking free from the life that had held me captive for so long. It was time to start over, to rebuild, and to find the strength I had forgotten I possessed. And for the first time in a long time, I believed that maybe, just maybe, things were going to be okay.

Isabella was trembling as she held onto Ethan's arm. "Wait, what about Mark? My family, my friends—what if he hurts them? I could never forgive myself," she said, her voice filled with fear. Ethan turned to her, his eyes filled with concern. "Shhh, it's okay. Just send me everything about them, and I'll help you, I promise." Isabella looked up at him, her eyes wide with confusion. "Why are you being so nice to me?" she asked. Ethan chuckled softly and looked away for a moment. When he turned back to her, his gaze was intense. "Well, Isabella, because I find you beautiful and I think you deserve better—even if it isn't with me. I want you to experience a better life, so I'm willing to help you in any way I can." Isabella felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. Where had this sweet, handsome, kind-hearted man been all her life? She didn't know how to repay him. "Thank you so much," she whispered, her voice quivering with gratitude. Ethan shook his head. "You don't have to,"