Amelia turned around and met Ethan’s deep gaze.
That he’d actually managed to make it was unexpected.
By all rights, having finally gotten their chance, Hannah and Isla wouldn’t have let him go.
Before she could speak, Beatrice was already wearing a fake smile and speaking sarcastically. “Amelia just told us you had an emergency at work and couldn’t come here.
“What, you two didn’t get your story straight before coming?”
Ethan froze for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Amelia’s situation.
He frowned in displeasure.
He stepped forward, naturally wrapping his arm around Amelia’s shoulders and pulling her halfway into his embrace, looking pointedly at Beatrice.
No Sex for Six Years Because of Her? I’m Done!
“There really was an emergency I couldn’t get away from. But when I thought about how if I didn’t come today, Amelia would probably be getting ordered around again, even the biggest matter had to take a backseat.”
Beatrice’s expression immediately soured, her smile freezing on her face. “Ethan, what’s that supposed to mean?
“Amelia volunteered to help with registration herself. How is it that she turns around and plays the victim with you, saying we bullied her? What an actress!”
As Beatrice left, she shot Amelia a vicious glare.
Amelia gently pulled away from Ethan’s embrace, avoiding his touch.
She looked up, her expression distant, and asked flatly, “Is everything taken care of?”
“I’m sorry,” Ethan said quietly. “Isla’s wound has been bandaged. I had someone take them both home.”
He paused, looking at Amelia’s cool profile, and asked again, “Kevin drove here but couldn’t find you. How did you get here?”
Amelia lowered her eyes indifferently, organizing the registration book. “I’m here anyway. What’s the point of asking?”
Ethan’s brow furrowed, a trace of annoyance flashing in his eyes.
But remembering that he was indeed at fault today, he suppressed his anger.
The Harlows were sharp-eyed. Seeing Ethan arrive, their attitudes shifted instantly.
Clara, who had just been bossing Amelia around, now walked over with a beaming smile.
“Ethan’s here! Quick, go sit at the main table. Really, Amelia, how could you actually make Ethan stand here?”
Amelia watched as Ethan was surrounded by the Harlows and led toward the main table.
The man who navigated business so effortlessly was now smoothly exchanging pleasantries with David, Clara, and the others.
Countless memories flashed through Amelia’s mind.
In the first two years of marriage, the Harlows had treated people according to their status like this too.
Whenever they gave her a hard time, Ethan would always step up like today, quietly protecting her and shielding her from all attacks.
He actually hadn’t been completely bad to her.
But that goodness came from duty, from the Rowes heir’s obligation to maintain appearances with his wife. The one thing it didn’t come from was love.
Soon, the banquet began.
Clara casually mentioned her nephew from her side of the family, who’d graduated from a prestigious university and had high standards but hadn’t found suitable work.
Ethan caught her meaning and picked up the thread. “After the celebration, have him send me his resume. If his major and credentials are a good fit, the company happens to have some openings. I can have my people arrange something.”
Clara beamed with delight, praising him repeatedly for being so thoughtful.
David at the main table watched this scene and nodded with satisfaction.
He was pleased to see Ethan caring about the Harlows family matters. It meant the marriage alliance between the Rowes and Harlows was solid, with shared benefits.
He took a sip of tea, turned his gaze to Amelia and Ethan, and asked with a chuckle, “You two have been married for quite a few years now. Careers are important, but it’s time to think about having a child.”
Amelia’s hand tightened sharply around her fork, her expression becoming unnatural.
Ethan seemed perfectly composed. He thoughtfully served Amelia some food, then looked up at David. “We don’t have those plans yet. Amelia’s been preparing to launch her own studio. I want her to focus on her career first.”
What a perfect excuse! What a considerate husband!
Amelia laughed coldly to herself.
All to remain pure for his first love.
Six years of marriage, and he’d never touched her.
How could he possibly plan to have children with her?
He’d rather play father to someone else’s kid than let her bear his own child.
The thought had barely crossed her mind when Isla’s tearful voice suddenly came from behind.
“Ethan … “
Amelia’s heart sank.
She stiffly turned around and saw Hannah holding Isla, standing at the entrance to the banquet hall, looking pitifully in their direction.
And Isla’s forehead was still wrapped in gauze.
Ethan’s expression shifted abruptly. He stood up and quickly went to meet them, shock in his voice. “Why are you here?”
Hannah’s eyes were red, as if she’d just been crying, her voice choked and helpless. “I’m sorry, Ethan. I had no choice.
“Isla kept crying at home. She wanted to see you. I couldn’t calm her down no matter what, so I had to bring her. Did we interrupt your dinner?”
Isla stretched her arms toward Ethan, sobbing pitifully. “Ethan, my head hurts so much … “
“Am I going to die like Daddy did?”
Ethan couldn’t bear it.
Under the watchful eyes of all the guests, he smoothly took Isla into his arms and softly comforted her. “It doesn’t hurt. I’m here. You’ll be fine.”
Hannah moved to his side, gently smoothing her daughter’s messy hair.
In that moment, it was as if they were the real family of three.
Amelia’s face turned ghostly pale. Her hands under the table dug into her palms until they bled, yet she felt no pain at all.
Almost everyone’s expression changed.
This was the Harlows’ celebration. Ethan was the Harlows’ son-in-law, yet in front of everyone, he was holding another woman’s child with such intimacy.
And just then, as if things weren’t chaotic enough, Hannah walked over to Amelia and spoke softly.
“Ms. Harlow, I’m so sorry.” Her posture was extremely humble. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your grandfather’s celebration. It’s just that Isla and Ethan are so close, she can’t be away from him for even a moment. I had no choice but to … “
She cleverly trailed off, but the meaning couldn’t be clearer.
She wanted everyone to see that Amelia’s husband now treated her daughter like his own.
The whispers of the guests buzzed around her, eyes constantly shifting between the few of them, with a few sneaking sidelong glances at her.
The judging eyes made her feel suffocated.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.