That one word, "husband," sent a tingle through Ethan Yardley’s chest.
He pressed his lips together, not saying a word, and continued walking forward in high spirits.
Serena followed him. "’Husband’ is a word for people who plan to spend the rest of their lives together. But you and I are just a temporary couple."
She knew she shouldn’t spoil the mood.
’But I have to keep reminding myself not to get lost in the comfort of his affection.’
’What if I can’t pull myself away when the ti cos?’
However!
Ethan’s expression darkened. He glanced back at Serena, his brows furrowing in displeasure.
"What’s this about a ’temporary couple’? If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all."
He forcefully pulled her over and wrapped an arm around her as they walked.
Serena didn’t dare make another sound.
’It’s true, I don’t know how to talk.’
’But what I said is the truth.’
’He won’t promise to never leave , or that he won’t marry Sylvia Schuyler.’
’He’s going to marry soone else, to beco soone else’s husband. That’s why I won’t call him ’husband’ now.’
"Uncle, are we going ho now?"
Seeing that he was heading in the direction of ho, Serena asked.
They had just co out. Why were they going back already?
"If we don’t go back, are we just going to stay out here and let people think I’m your dad?"
That comnt still rubbed Ethan the wrong way.
His tone was a bit cold when he replied.
But Serena just found it amusing.
"That’s what they think. As long as I don’t think that way, it’s fine."
"You just try thinking that way."
Ethan glared at her, then corrected her, "And don’t call ’Uncle’ anymore."
The address made him sound so old.
"I’ll call you what I want," Serena defied him.
Annoyed, Ethan reached out and pinched her little face. "Believe it or not, I’ll smack you."
"I’ll still call you that even if you smack . Uncle, Uncle, Uncle..." She chanted playfully, getting even more spirited.
Ethan gazed at her round, adorable little face. Her big eyes seed to sparkle like jewels.
He found her so endearing he couldn’t bring himself to be harsh with her anymore.
His tone softened again as he tried to gently coax her. "Be good~ Call ’husband,’ and I’ll give you so candy."
Serena snorted. "I’m not a child. You think you can fob off with a piece of candy?"
She marched ahead on her short legs.
Ethan caught up to her. "It’s not that kind of candy."
Hearing that, Serena’s curiosity was piqued.
She turned to face him. "Then let see this candy of yours."
Ethan stepped forward, bent down, and lifted Serena’s chin, planting a generous kiss directly on her full, rosy lips.
Serena was speechless.
’That’s it?’
The man pulled away and looked at her, his eyes full of tenderness. "Want more?"
Serena couldn’t deny it; she was susceptible to his temptations.
’I do, but we’re outside.’
Her cheeks flushed red as she made a different request. "Give a piggyback ride."
"Hm?"
Ethan frowned.
Serena said smugly, "You’ve never given a piggyback ride. If you carry , I’ll call you ’husband.’"
Ethan was speechless.
’What a clever little rascal.’
’Trying to use a na to get the upper hand.’
’But what could he do? She was the wife he’d chosen. He had to spoil her, no matter the cost.’
He bent his knees and squatted down, acquiescing to her demand.
Serena froze.
She had just said it casually, not expecting that he would actually squat down to carry her.
’So, should I let him carry or not?’
It was a rare chance to be taller than him for once. How could Serena pass up such a golden opportunity?
She quickly scrambled onto the man’s back.
Ethan lifted her with ease.
As he walked toward ho, he said, "You got your wish. You should change how you address now, right?"
Being carried by him for the first ti, Serena felt imnsely pleased with herself.
She played dumb. "Change what?"
"Keep playing dumb. Believe it or not, I’ll toss you into that pond over there to feed the fish," Ethan threatened her.
Serena stuck out her tongue. "I don’t scare that easily."
His temper flaring, Ethan actually started walking toward the pond with Serena on his back.
The farther they went in that direction, the darker it beca.
Serena was genuinely afraid he would toss her in, so she quickly leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Don’t go over there. Let’s go ho."
"What did you call ?"
"Uncle..."
Ethan made a move as if to throw her off.
Serena hugged his neck tightly, refusing to let go, and called out in a sweet, delicate voice, "Husband~"
"What did you say? I didn’t hear you."
He feigned deafness.
"Husband, let’s go ho. Don’t go over there, it’s so dark."
"Say it again."
He found that hearing Serena call him "husband" sent a strange sweetness through his heart.
"Husband~"
Serena spoke softly into his ear, "Husband, can you promise to never, ever leave ?"
’I really love him so much.’
’I want to be spoiled by him like this forever.’
’I wish our marriage was unbreakable.’
But clearly, that was just wishful thinking.
Because at that very mont, Serena saw a person standing under a streetlight not far away, leaning on a cane.
Her face fell, and her defenses went up instantly.
Ethan saw the person too.
He stopped walking and said to the person on his back, "Get down."
Serena refused, tightening her grip on his neck.
"Carry ho. Don’t talk to that woman. You told you wouldn’t let her set foot in my house again."
Still, Ethan forcibly set Serena down from his back.
He looked at her and gestured. "Go inside first."
Serena said petulantly, "You’re always telling not to cause a scene, but it bothers when you’re with her."
Ethan explained patiently, "I’m just going to say a few words to her. I’ll co back and be with you as soon as I’m done."
He didn’t want to fight with Serena because of Sylvia Schuyler.
After all, their relationship had only just started to improve.
Arguing every day was hard on both of them.
Serena knew she didn’t have the power to make him stay.
She stopped struggling. Head down, she walked past Sylvia Schuyler and straight toward the house.
Sylvia watched Serena go, her eyes filled with hatred.
She couldn’t believe that in the two nights she’d been away, Ethan and Serena’s relationship had beco so intimate.
That aloof man, whose wealth could rival a nation’s, was actually giving a woman a piggyback ride around the neighborhood.
If it wasn’t love, why would Ethan Yardley be so indulgent and doting?
In that mont, Sylvia’s heart filled with extre hatred.
"If your leg isn’t healed, you should be at the hospital. What are you doing running over here?"
Ethan said as he approached her.
Sylvia’s expression was grim as she questioned Ethan, "Ethan, would it have been better if you had just hit and killed with your car back then?"
Ethan’s face fell instantly. "What are you talking about?"
"I think if you had killed back then, I wouldn’t have to live in so much pain. Do you have any idea what I’ve been through all these years?"
"..."
"Ethan, I told you I love you. I went abroad to find the most renowned experts so I could have your children, but it was all useless. None of them could make a normal woman.
I’m useless. I can’t give you children, so I didn’t mind you marrying Serena Yardley to have a child for you.
But how could you develop real feelings for her? How could you love her?"
She no longer wanted to be the understanding, gentle, and virtuous young lady.
She would use any ans necessary to get this man back by her side, belonging only to her.
Hearing Sylvia ntion the past, Ethan was filled with guilt.
He stepped forward to support her. "I’m so sorry. I’m the one who made you this way."
"I don’t bla you. I just want your whole heart."
Sylvia imdiately grabbed Ethan’s hand and said through her tears,
"Ethan, let’s adopt a child. Let’s not have Serena Yardley give you one, okay? Please, will you divorce her right now?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)