Chapter 4

I asked, my voice chillingly calm.

"No! Absolutely not!"

He denied it vehemently, a flash of defensive anger sparking in his eyes.

"You know what kind of man I am! How could you even think that of me?!"

I locked eyes with him, tracking every twitch on his face.

His gaze flickered, darting everywhere except toward me.

"Look, you can go through my phone all you want once we get home tonight!" he pleaded.

"Right now, let’s just enjoy our dinner. Don't let stupid rumors ruin our day."

I laughed internally.

Check it tonight?

By the time we got home, every message would be scrubbed, every photo deleted.

He was a seasoned pro at this game.

"Fine," I said, turning to look back out the window.

He let out an audible sigh of relief.

The car made a turn and entered the district where Grandview Manor was located.

It was an upscale neighborhood filled with fine dining and private lounges.

Ethan was clearly familiar with the area.

This restaurant was notoriously expensive; he had never brought me here before.

He always used to say it was overpriced, impractical, and a waste of money for a couple trying to save for a future.

Now it was obvious—he was saving this place exclusively for her.

He parked, hopped out, and dutifully opened my door, even taking the time to gently straighten my collar.

"Today, let’s splurge a little, babe. You deserve the best."

He smiled, taking my hand as we walked toward the restaurant.

I gripped his hand back. My fingers were ice cold.

Inside, soft piano music drifted through the air, and the ambiance was intimate and luxurious.

The hostess greeted us with a smile. "Good evening. Table for two?"

"Yes, two—" Ethan began.

"Three," I cut him off smoothly.

Ethan froze, turning back to look at me. "Babe, we're celebrating our wedding. Why invite someone else? That’s kind of awkward, isn't it?"

"Just a friend who happens to be nearby. I figured since we're here, she might as well join us."

My voice was steady, leaving no room for debate.

"Oh... well, alright then."

Though clearly uneasy, he didn't push it.

We were seated at a table by the window.

Ethan automatically grabbed a napkin, meticulously wiping down the table in front of me. Then he walked over to the hostess stand, fetched a soft lumbar pillow, and placed it behind my back.

"These chairs are stiff. Your lower back acts up, so keep this behind you."

The server handed us the menus.

Ethan reached out to take them, but I snatched both right out of his reach.

"I’m ordering tonight."

Without giving him a chance to object, I flipped the menu open.

Whenever we went out to eat in the past, we always ordered what he liked.

Tonight, I was done compromising.

"Spicy chili crab, fiery poached fish, and a double order of spicy crawfish."

I reeled off three heavily spiced dishes in one breath—everything I loved, and everything he used to forbid me from ordering because it was 'too pricey' or 'too spicy.'

Ethan’s face went through several shades of pale.

"Babe... isn't that a little too spicy?" he whispered, trying to intercede.

"I'm celebrating today. This is what I want."

I snapped the menu shut and handed it back to the server.

"That'll be all."

Ethan rubbed his hands together awkwardly, forcing a grin. "Sure, sure. Whatever makes my wife happy."

The food arrived quickly—a sea of fiery red, steaming and aromatic.

"The food's all here. Is your friend running late?" Ethan wiped his hands and checked his watch nervously.

"She's here."

I looked toward the front entrance.

Ethan followed my gaze. In an instant, his entire body seized up like a corpse.