Chapter 67: The Boy She Saved

Chapter 67: The Boy She Saved

Ethan’s expression faltered and he gave her a narrow look. “Evelyn–”

“Shhhh.” Eve placed a finger on his lips then pulled him towards her room. She made him sit on the bed then turned around and locked the door.

“If I didn’t say that, did you think Grandpa would have changed his mind?” Eve folded her hands and pouted. “Ethan, please, for goodness sake, that is not how you fight for your love. Were you planning to do nothing until Grandpa separates us? Weren’t you supposed to draw out a sword and sweep me off my feet?”

Ethan’s eyes wandered around her room, and his gaze strayed to a corner.

“Argh! Are you even listening to me, Ethan?” Eve strode forward and stood in front of him.

“Yeah.” Ethan held her waist and pulled her into his lap. “That was a good show you put up. But what if he finds out it’s a lie?”

“Then we must work hard, Ethan.” Eve wrapped both hands around his neck. “Make me pregnant before our cover is blown.”

Ethan’s eyes strayed to that corner again and Eve followed his gaze.

“Eyes on me, come on.” She removed her hands from his neck. “I’m still mad at what you did, you know. Even though I stood up for you, don’t think I’ve forgiven you yet. And I’m not going to until you–”

“Eve.” Ethan looked into her eyes and said softly, “I’m sorry.”

“Huh?” Eve’s mouth hung open.

“You heard me.” Ethan pulled her closer. “I’m sorry. That will never happen again.”

Eve’s heart pounded for a few seconds, her eyes fixed on the man. Then a realization dawned on her. “Ethan, are you apologizing right now?”

Ethan nodded and her lips spread into a smile.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to hear you say it.” Eve wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight. “You’re not a complete jerk, after all. I was afraid you were never going to apologize and will keep sending me those damned money.”

“Ethan.” She pulled away and found him staring in that corner again. “Did the idea of losing me scare you? Were you almost convinced that we’d be separated?”

Ethan brought his attention to her and the look in his eyes was all she needed to know her answers.

“You kept this with you.” His eyes went to that corner again and he reached for the bag.

Eve gasped and slowly nodded. “I’m planning to discard it anyways. I don’t want to have anything to do with Cole or something associated with him.”

“Cole?” Ethan looked up from the bag, frowning.

“Uhuh?” Eve slowly nodded. “In fact, this bag is the main reason why Cole and I became close. He left it in the forest and I took it…” She trailed off and blinked. “Wait a minute, Ethan. How did you know about this bag? And why did you—”

“Because it’s mine.” Ethan gave her a blank look.

Eve’s heart sank and she sprang up from his lap. “Damnit! Th– This bag is yours?” She pointed a shaking finger at the bag. “Ethan, are you joking with me right now?”

“Why would I joke about such trivial things? Did that guy tell you this bag belongs to him?” Ethan’s frown got bigger.

Of course, Cole didn’t tell her the bag belonged to him. When he appeared at the province and she approached him with the bag, he looked confused at first before admitting that he was the one she’d saved. Then he told her to keep the bag.

“No, this can’t be.” Eve shook her head rapidly, her eyes falling on the man.

Ethan unzipped the bag and looked inside. Then he zipped it back up again and surveyed it from front to back.

“It doesn’t matter.” He kept the bag aside. “Since he didn’t claim possession of it.”

Eve shook her head. The serious look on his face was giving her a hard time that Ethan must be playing with her mind.

If this bag was truly his, then did that mean…

“Ethan.” She sat beside him and grabbed his hands, giving him a serious look. “Tell me the truth. This bag is yours, right? If you were the boy from that night, why didn’t you tell me? And why didn’t you come looking for me?”

“I looked for you, Eve. I left to get help, then I returned and found both you and the bag gone.”

“Argh.” Eve groaned and held her suddenly pounding head. Ethan must have left just a few moments before she woke up. That was why she took the bag with her and thought he’d abandoned her.

“So you were that boy I saved.” She lifted her head. “Why didn’t you say anything about it, Ethan? You made me serve that rotten maniac for how many years!?”

Eve counted her fingers and screamed. Now, she had a real score to settle with Cole.

“And what were you even doing in that kind of place? How did you end up in that condition, and heck— do you know how heavy you were, Ethan?”

“I couldn’t take the cold weather. I didn’t know when I passed out,” Ethan replied and Eve’s mind went to Elena’s words. Damned that Cole.

So literally, she’d saved Ethan instead of that stupid guy who didn’t admit that she had recognized him as the wrong person.

“We spent so many months together. We used to see each other occasionally since I was brought here to the city, Ethan. Why didn’t you ever approach me and say what happened? You could have at least done that to thank me for saving you.”

“Eve.” Ethan placed a palm on her lap and she pushed it away. “I thought you’d forgotten about it. You didn’t seem to recognize me.”

Why would she recognize him? The torchlight had gone out that night, she couldn’t even make out his features as she struggled to get them both out of the forest.

“And I did repay you.” Ethan went on. “I sought your hand and your grandfather agreed. I promised to give you everything and keep you safe.”

Eve sighed inside and shifted close to him. So her grandfather wasn’t just bluffing. Ethan and his grandfather had sought her hand and their arranged marriage wasn’t a business collaboration.

“But you aren’t fulfilling your promise, Ethan.” She held his arm and murmured. “You’re too strict with me, and you make me sad.”

“I won’t repeat that.” Ethan stroked her hair. “Eve, I’m sorry.”

“This is the third time you’ve said you’re sorry.” Eve lifted her head and stared into his eyes. “I hope you keep your word, Ethan.”

“I will.” Ethan nodded.

“And also reign in your jealousy. I don’t want you to let that Mr. Hudson come between us.”

“I won’t.” Ethan shook his head. His finger traveled down the side of her face to her chin and he slowly lifted her head. As his face got closer, Eve gasped and covered her mouth.

“Where are you going to?” Ethan held her hand as she shot to her feet.

“I– I haven’t brushed yet. Urgh– I haven’t even washed my face. I must look like a monster right now— Ah!”

Ethan pulled her down and he towered over her on the bed. “You don’t look ugly, Eve. And you smell nice.”

“No, leave me alone.” Eve struggled to free herself. She didn’t smell like flowers at the moment.

“Eve, I missed you.” Ethan ignored her protests and leaned forward. “Believe me, you smile nicer than flowers.”

After messing around for a while, Eve went into the bathroom and got ready for the day. She went down for breakfast with Ethan, and as the maids packed the plates away, she looked up and asked,

“What about your Grandpa? Have you told him yet?”

“He should be here already,” Ethan replied.

They stood up and headed to the study room, and true to his words, his grandfather was already there.

“My Grandson didn’t do anything wrong. How was he going to know the truth if he didn’t have her tested? How dare you ask us to apologize, Old Man?”

“That’s it! I can take care of my granddaughter myself even if she bears plenty of children. She doesn’t need your son to take care of them. We’re proceeding with the divorce.”

“Oh, my goodness.” Eve held her chest and staggered back into Ethan’s arms. “We’re dead meat, Ethan.”