Ethan’s throat tightened.
An apology was right on his lips, but he couldn’t say it.
He wanted to say “I’m sorry” for everything tonight, for his negligence, for her grievances.
But pride wouldn’t let him speak.
If he apologized to Amelia too often, it would seem like he was admitting fault to her.
Besides, even if she’d been mistreated at the Harlows, tonight she still shouldn’t have lost her temper with a child or pushed Hannah.
The last bit of ointment was smoothed on, and Ethan finally released her.
He spoke with some reproach. “Amelia, I know you’ve been wronged. But in the future, when something happens, you can tell me directly and I’ll handle it. Don’t take it out on other people.”
Amelia responded flatly, “Okay.”
Then she lowered her eyes and said softly, “I’m tired. I want to rest.”
Ethan felt stifled.
He’d expected her to argue back, even fight. The one thing he hadn’t expected was this calm indifference.
He glanced at the large double bed beside them, David’s words about grandchildren echoing inappropriately in his mind.
Actually, if she would just lower herself now and say something soft, he wouldn’t mind staying.
But he was used to being in control of everything.
In this relationship, he couldn’t be the first one to speak up.
He stood up, suppressing that inexplicable restlessness, and prepared to leave.
“Ethan.” Amelia suddenly called out to him.
Ethan’s steps halted, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes. Looking at her pale face that seemed almost translucent under the lights, he waited.
But Amelia only informed him flatly. “The studio’s been really busy these days. I’ll be out a lot.”
Anger flared in Ethan.
At a time like this, she decided to bring this up.
In his view, it was just a new trick to get his attention, deliberately throwing a tantrum.
“Whatever you want.”
He didn’t look at her again and strode out of her room.
…
The next morning, Amelia drove to her studio early.
The studio was located on the second floor of an old street, not a large space, with an elegant wooden sign by the door carved with the words “Picturesque.”
When she arrived, her assistant, Amanda Hill, was already there, ironing a newly finished silk dress.
“Amelia, you’re here! Your hand … oh my God, what happened?” Amanda gasped when she saw the bandages.
“It’s nothing, just an accident.” Amelia brushed it off, refusing to discuss it further.
She’d opened this studio secretly shortly after marrying Ethan, without telling anyone.
The Rowes and Harlows only needed a glamorous, dignified, docile wife.
They didn’t like her being in the public eye, and they especially didn’t like her personally measuring and tailoring clothes for others, thinking it was beneath their family’s status.
But that person had once smiled and told her, “Amelia, no matter how comfortable life gets, stick to what you love.”
And now, as word spread, more and more clients were coming to her for custom dresses.
She had plans to expand the studio.
“Come on, Amanda, let’s go look at a few more places.”
At noon, Amelia and Amanda looked at several new offices recommended by the realtor, but weren’t very satisfied with any of them.
Either the location was too remote or the space layout wasn’t good, lacking the elegance and character she wanted.
“Ms. Harlow, don’t worry.” Seeing her lack of interest, the realtor quickly flipped through his files again. “How about this? In Solara, there’s a vacant standalone small villa at
Maplewood Estates, two floors with a small yard, really nice environment. It would definitely fit your elegance requirements.”
Maplewood Estates?
Amelia paused. That was a famous wealthy neighborhood.
The realtor seemed to see her concern and quickly added, “Don’t assume it’s too expensive. The size isn’t particularly large. The main thing is the owner doesn’t need money and has a difficult personality, so it’s been listed for a while without getting rented.”
“Ms. Harlow, that place is empty anyway. It won’t take long for us to check it out. If you like it, I can talk to the owner again. I promise I’ll get you a good price,” the agent said.
Amelia thought she hadn’t seen anything she liked yet, so taking one more look wouldn’t hurt. She nodded.
The small villa in Maplewood Estate was better than she expected.
It wasn’t fancy or grand. Instead, it was a simple white house with a clean, modern style.
When she pushed the door open, she saw there wasn’t much furniture inside. Because of that, the whole place felt wide, bright, and open.
The layout on the first floor was perfect. She didn’t even need to change much to use it as a reception area and a gown display room.
What truly moved Amelia was when she
No Sex for Six Years Because of Her? I’m Done!walked to the backyard. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, she saw a whole patch of blue-purple bluebells in the garden.
They used to be her favorite flowers.
But the yard hadn’t been cared for in a long time. The flowers were almost buried under wild weeds.
Still, Amelia was very pleased with the place.
She went back to the living room and asked the agent, “What’s the rent range for this place?”
“Ms. Harlow, one moment. I’ll talk to the owner now and get right back to you.”
Mason’s secretary soon received the agent’s call.
“Hello, are you Mr. Everett’s assistant? There’s a guest who wants to rent the Maplewood Estate villa for a gown studio. I’d like to confirm your price … “
The secretary listened calmly while glancing at the desk not far away.
Mason, who was reading documents, paused just slightly. His eyes didn’t lift, but it was clear he heard the conversation.
The secretary understood and asked on the phone, “And what’s your client’s name?”
“She’s Ms. Harlow.”
“Ms. Harlow … ” The secretary understood at once. He lowered his voice and said, “Let me confirm with Mr. Everett. Please hold.”
He hung up and walked over to the desk. In a quiet tone, he reported, “Mr. Everett, the agent just called. It seems … Ms. Harlow wants to rent the Maplewood Estate place for her studio.”
Mason’s hands stopped moving.
He didn’t speak. His eyes turned deep, as if he was thinking of something serious.
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.