After settling the two kids, Ruby Sullivan threw the quilt Leon Sterling used yesterday back onto the sofa. "If you’re not going to stay at a hotel, you’ll have to sleep on the sofa."
Ethan Sterling looked down at his arrangent, "Don’t you think this sofa is a bit too tiny for soone of my height?"
"Mr. Sterling, this is the sofa you picked out yourself, so if it’s tiny, that’s your lack of foresight." She glanced at the ti, "Or, you could just call a car on Uber and head to a hotel now."
"Forget it, I find this sofa quite comfortable." He sat down and bounced a bit, desperately giving himself psychological comfort, "It’s actually quite nice."
Ruby Sullivan sat opposite him on the loveseat, "I have sothing serious to talk to you about."
Ethan Sterling wrapped himself in the quilt and sat up straight, "Go ahead."
"Has Young updated you on the progress of Daydream?"
Ethan Sterling nodded, "She said she’s following your formula, but there’s a problem, and she’s working it out with you. Is it a big issue?" He looked at Ruby Sullivan’s expression, pressing for more information.
"Not sure." Ruby Sullivan sighed, rubbing her hands on the warm mug, "Although they’ve sent videos over, sotis the fragrance blends require you to be there in person to identify the problem. I was thinking, since you said you’d stay in ridia for a few days, could you look after the kids at night while I return to resolve the fragrance issue?"
Ethan Sterling blinked, montarily unsure how to respond.
He ca to ridia to make his presence felt by her, and now she’s leaving him here alone, wasn’t this whole trip pointless then? But taking care of the kids is a responsibility he can’t shirk. Besides, at this point, the kids clearly matter more to Ruby Sullivan than her irresponsible ex.
Ruby Sullivan saw his stern face and prolonged silence, assuming he was in a difficult spot.
"If it’s too much trouble, never mind. I can ask Don." She finished with a sigh, getting up to go to sleep.
"I’ll handle it," Ethan Sterling replied sullenly, his brows knit into two small hills.
"Aren’t you on a business trip with a lot to deal with?"
"No matter how busy with work, I’ll co ho at night. If I weren’t in ridia, that’d be one thing. But since the kids know I’m here, having Don help would make them resent as a dad."
Ethan Sterling stared forward as if sulking, though Ruby Sullivan couldn’t figure out his source of irritation. She hadn’t forced him, but his comnts showed he cared about his image as a father.
She smiled, "True, well... thanks. I’ll check for tickets and try to leave and return as soon as possible."
"Alright, once you’ve arranged it, let know, and I’ll have Howard pick you up."
"Okay." Ruby Sullivan walked a few steps, then paused, "Do you need help turning off the lights?"
"No need." Ethan Sterling said, deliberately turning on the TV.
Ruby Sullivan glanced at his profile, still feeling sothing off, but too uninterested to guess, she turned and went to her room to sleep.
Ruby Sullivan lay in bed, her mind buzzing with noise.
Though it’s her second divorce, it’s the first ti her ex clung to her. Logically, she should still fulfill her responsibilities at The Sterling Group, and having not started a new relationship, his stay doesn’t greatly inconvenience her.
But what if she had begun a new life?
Ruby Sullivan frowned, feeling the situation was extrely off. Even if Ethan Sterling ca to see the kids, he should have at least inford her beforehand. This is her ho, and she doesn’t intend to beco friends with her ex.
If they’re not friends, then they’re strangers, and strangers should be kicked out!
Thinking of this, Ruby Sullivan suddenly sat up, glanced at the door, hesitated, and lay back down again.
Forget it, her silly daughter doesn’t understand the concept of divorce anyway. If possible, she would prefer her daughter never learn such a term and live happily ever after.
She exhaled deeply, picked up her phone and checked tomorrow’s flights, booking an evening ticket.
Honey and Seth’s school has a bus service, and Mama Bennett just needs to pick them up at the community gate. Even if Ethan Sterling returns every other day, nothing should go wrong... right.
Thinking about these headache-inducing matters, Ruby Sullivan drowsily fell asleep.
Early in the morning, knocking woke her up.
Frowning, she was feeling very grumpy, pulled the quilt over her head, and turned over pretending not to hear.
Outside, Seth Sterling was getting anxious and directly pushed open the door, running into the room, and tapped Ruby Sullivan’s blanket, "Mom, Mom!"
Ruby Sullivan was very annoyed. Only when she recognized her son’s voice did she crawl out of the blanket and squeezed a smile on her face, "Son, what is it?"
Seth smiled shyly, stepping back a couple of steps and standing upright, "Mom, how do you think I look in this outfit?"
Seth truly loves suits; this ti, he seems to have brought five or six sets along.
Today he’s wearing dark blue, with a white shirt and black tie, looking a bit like a student.
Ruby Sullivan slowly sat up, yawning, and couldn’t help but laugh at her son’s spiky buzz cut, "Nice hairstyle."
Seth ran his hands through his spiky hair, slightly embarrassed, "Dad styled it."
Ruby Sullivan nodded, "It looks great." She gave her son a thumbs-up.
Seth smiled and went out, and not even a minute later, little princess Honey dashed in, twirling her light yellow dress in front of her, "Mom, does Honey’s dress look good?"
"Lovely." Ruby Sullivan gave another thumbs-up, then let out a bigger yawn.
Unexpectedly appearing at the door, Ethan Sterling proudly comnted, "I chose our daughter’s dress too."
"Amazing!" Ruby Sullivan held up the other thumb as well.
"Ti for breakfast," Mama Bennett called from outside.
Honey imdiately ran out happily.
"You should co have breakfast too," Ethan Sterling added before turning to leave.
Ruby Sullivan checked the ti, stretched lazily, and got out of bed, shuffling out to freshen up.
After breakfast, Ruby Sullivan ensured her son’s sportswear and sneakers were packed before letting Mama Bennett take them out.
Ethan Sterling hadn’t brought a car, likely waiting for Jessica to pick him up.
Ruby Sullivan, in her pajamas, sat on the sofa hand-grinding coffee beans, "I booked a 9 PM flight, can you co ho early, have dinner with us, then take to the airport?"
She hadn’t yet ntioned her few days away to the kids.
"I’ll check today’s schedule." Ethan Sterling pretended to swipe through his phone, said, "I don’t have anything particularly important today, I can stay ho. Do you have any plans later?"
"Visiting my father." Ruby Sullivan had recently been visiting the hospital for chats after dropping the kids off. Though he showed no reaction, it gave her a sense of solace.
"I’ll co with you," Ethan Sterling pointed at her hand, "It slls nice; make a cup too." Then he turned on the TV and started watching.
Ruby Sullivan tilted her head, sensing sothing amiss, tossed him the grinder, "If you want sothing done, do it yourself. Oh, by the way, make a cup too, thanks."
Why should he order her around?
Watching her strut off defiantly, Ethan Sterling chuckled, "Yes, Ms. Sullivan."
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