Grace impatiently let go of her hand, and the warm affection from before disappeared from her face.
“Grace, I’ll be careful next time.”
Hannah’s face paled, looking pitiful.
Amelia gathered up the designs and returned to her room, out of sight, out of mind.
After hesitating, Ethan still followed into the room.
“Hannah didn’t mean it.”
The moment he opened his mouth, it was to defend Hannah.
Amelia’s tone was flat. “Did she not see the signature on the work, or could she not tell they were design sketches?”
Ethan looked at Amelia and suddenly felt she’d lost her former docility and was much more spirited.
“I’ll compensate you. I’ll have Kevin transfer eight million dollars to you in a bit.” Ethan pressed his lips together. “Amelia, be good. Hannah and her daughter haven’t had it easy. Give them some slack.”
Hadn’t she given them enough slack already?
She’d even given away her own husband.
“Fine.” Amelia suddenly felt at peace. “In another month, it’ll be our anniversary. That day, I have a gift for you.”
Hearing this, Ethan suddenly felt relieved.
These past few days, she’d seemed like a different person, and he’d thought …
Apparently he’d been overthinking.
She still couldn’t leave him.
Ethan’s eyes showed a hint of amusement. “Alright. In a couple of days, it’s your grandfather’s birthday celebration. I’ll prepare a gift for him as well.”
Amelia still carried the Harlow name, even though the Harlows had kicked her out.
But the debt of being raised by the Harlows weighed on her, and she had to attend David Harlow’s birthday celebration no matter what.
“Alright.”
She lowered her eyes, but in her heart, she was only waiting for a month from now to arrive.
Their sixth anniversary.
And the time to say goodbye to her identity as Ethan’s wife.
That evening, heavy snow began to fall, and everything became deathly quiet.
Both Amelia and Hannah had no choice but to stay at the Rowe Estate.
With Fiona watching, Amelia had to share a room with Ethan.
Amelia felt unusually uncomfortable.
She couldn’t help but mock herself.
In the past, she’d loved him so carefully. Even when Ethan used the excuse of a platonic marriage to refuse any intimacy with her, she still felt delighted by his closeness.
But now, that joy from the past was long gone.
Ethan didn’t notice. He just affectionately patted her head. “You want to shower first?”
Amelia avoided his touch. She was about to speak when Hannah’s knock suddenly sounded at the door.
No Sex for Six Years Because of Her? I’m Done!
Ethan opened it.
Hannah’s eyes were red, looking extremely anxious. “Ethan, Isla had a nightmare. She’s confused and not feeling well. Can you come check on her?”
Ethan looked toward Amelia.
Amelia felt relieved inside and said indifferently, “The child comes first. I’ll explain to Fiona.”
Perfect. She didn’t want to share a room with him anyway.
Ethan hesitated but still left. “I’ll be back soon.”
Watching Ethan’s departing figure, Amelia knew in her heart that he wouldn’t come back.
When she first married into the family, she had trouble sleeping in a new place and often had nightmares too.
Perhaps because of Fiona, Ethan had often stayed by her side.
When she cried hard, Ethan would always say,
“Be good. I’m here.”
Thinking back, they had shared such brief moments of sweetness.
Unfortunately, now it only felt like a thorn in her throat.
…
After a night of wind and snow, the next day, snow weighed down the branches.
Outside, she could hear Ethan playing games with Isla. Before long, Ethan left for work.
Tonight was David’s birthday celebration, and Amelia made plans with Lily to pick out a gift.
Before Amelia left, Isla was holding Hannah’s hand, looking at her provocatively.
“Ethan said he’ll come put me to bed every night and stay with me and Mommy. You’ll be kicked out soon, and then Ethan will be my daddy. A woman like you who just leeches off men, ugly and mean, without Ethan, you’ll definitely end up miserable!”
The six-year-old girl looked triumphant.
Hannah just curved her lips. “Ms. Harlow, don’t take a child’s words to heart.”
Amelia said coldly, “Done pretending?”
Hannah stopped pretending. “Ethan isn’t here. Let’s be straight with each other. You know exactly how he treats you. I have a child. I need someone to depend on.”
The Boyds were already a mess. Without Ethan’s protection, how could she have come back smoothly?
A woman with a child always had it hard.
What was wrong with her and Ethan rekindling their romance?
“Jack’s barely been dead a week, and does he know you’ve already lined up your next meal ticket?” Amelia said sarcastically.
Hannah’s expression shifted.
“He’s already dead. Am I supposed to be a widow forever?” Hannah said flatly. “These past few days, Ethan has been with me and Isla constantly. You know how Ethan feels about me. I hope you have some self-awareness.”
“I’m not sure about the rest, but tonight, he won’t be.”
Amelia understood Ethan well.
He always kept up appearances, especially putting on a good show in front of elders.
No matter what, he wouldn’t miss David’s birthday celebration.
After saying this, she stepped out of the estate to meet Lily.
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.