Chapter 4

Ethan caught my wrist and frowned. "I brought you back to be the lady of this house, not a maid."

I shook my head, completely unfazed. "It's fine. I used to cook for Chloe all the time anyway."

Ethan opened his mouth, but his throat felt as if it were blocked by a wooden plug.

He remembered how, a few years ago, Chloe had fallen down the stairs and blamed me. To make me "atone," he had forced me to act as Chloe's maid for three months.

Chloe was a picky eater. I wasn't good at cooking back then, and she would constantly knock over my plates, forcing me to cook again and again.

Back then, my hands were covered in burns and blisters, yet he had never shown an ounce of pity.

Three months later, I resolutely demanded a divorce. He blamed me for being unrepentant and signed the papers in a fit of rage.

That was how our five-year separation began.

Ethan sighed. "You still blame me, don't you? You're saying these things on purpose to remind me of how I treated you for Chloe's sake."

"But Eliza, you were the one in the wrong back then. If I didn't give the Sterling family an explanation, the partnership between our families would have been affected..."

"I'm not just your husband; I'm also the CEO of a corporation."

I hadn't expected that a simple cooking offer would launch Ethan into another long-winded speech.

But I had no interest in listening. I just wanted to know if he could drive me to the supermarket, since it was quite far.

When I made my request, I noticed Ethan's face looked incredibly bitter.

There was even a trace of sorrow.

I didn't understand what was wrong with him. I urged, "Come on, if we go too late, the fresh fish will be sold out."

Ethan silently got into the car. He drove me to the supermarket, quietly watched me buy groceries, and quietly drove me back.

When we returned, he went to join a video conference. Chloe clung to him like a helpless kitten, feeding him fruit from time to time.

I, on the other hand, was in the kitchen preparing dinner while plotting: How can I get Ethan to give me my allowance?

The real estate agent had just texted me. Someone else was eyeing the burial plot.

I needed to pay the deposit as soon as possible.

...

An hour later, the three of us sat at the dining table.

I cut a piece of steak for Chloe and asked, "How is it?"

Chloe raised an eyebrow in approval, ordering me around just like old times. "Not bad. Tomorrow, I want Australian lobster."

I immediately pulled out my phone to take notes. "No problem. Um... Ethan, do you have time to go to the supermarket with me tomorrow? If not, could you wire me some money?"

"Otherwise, I won't have enough to buy groceries."

Ethan stared at me in shock. He pulled out his phone and transferred the money while turning to Chloe. "Chloe, she's not a chef. If you want something specific, tell the maid."

Chloe's face stiffened, turning pale as she looked on the verge of tears. "I understand. I'm sorry for bothering you both."

With that, she stood up to leave. "I think I should go home. Otherwise, I might say the wrong thing again."

As she spoke, she tripped and fell to the floor.

Her knee hit the hardwood with a loud, hollow thud.

Just from the sound, I knew it hurt.

Ethan rushed over to lift her up.

With red eyes, she tried to push him away. "Let me go. I don't want you to hold me."

"Now that Eliza is back, everything I say is wrong, and everything I do makes you unhappy."

"I should just go home."

Ethan patiently comforted her, "What are you talking about? I didn't mean it that way."

His gaze fell on her knee, filled with concern. "Your knee... I'm taking you to the hospital right now."

He carried Chloe and rushed out. At the door, he suddenly turned back, only to see me eating my dinner as if nothing had happened.

The explanation he wanted to offer died in his throat. He said coldly, "Wait for me at home."

I said obediently, "Okay."

As soon as they left, I immediately wired the eighty thousand dollar deposit to the agent via PayPal.

Over the next few days, Ethan didn't return.

I thoroughly enjoyed my peace.

One afternoon, while I was having tea, the butler suddenly brought in a group of people.

He said Ethan had ordered them to bring over the latest collections from all the major luxury brands for me to choose from.

I selected a few bags that held their value well and some clothes, planning to sell them on eBay later to see how much cash I could get.

That night, I went to sleep early.

In my dream, I saw Julian.

He was standing in a field of flowers, smiling and waving at me.

I ran over and hugged him tightly, saying excitedly, "Julian, I made a hundred thousand dollars today. Aren't I amazing?"

He hugged me back, his eyes full of tenderness. "Don't compromise yourself for my sake."

I shook my head. I didn't feel compromised at all.

Besides, compared to what he had done for me, this was nothing.

Suddenly, I felt a cold, wet sensation on my skin, accompanied by heavy breathing that slowly shattered my dream.

I opened my eyes in annoyance, only to find Ethan hovering over me, hungrily kissing my earlobe.

A wave of intense disgust surged inside me. Instantly, I pushed him away, ran to the bathroom, and began to throw up.