Chapter 3 Just a Transaction
1298 Words
Eleanor's face was pale. "When is it arranged? I'll go when I have time."
Ryan chuckled awkwardly. "The check-up is scheduled for tomorrow. Please remember to go."
Eleanor's chest tightened, surprised by Ethan's sharpness. "I'll be there on time."
The office was filled with the rich aroma of coffee.
Eleanor spent the whole afternoon feeling nauseous. She opened the window to let in some fresh air, which eased the nausea a little.
Just before the workday ended, she rushed to the bathroom and threw up again. She hadn’t expected her pregnancy symptoms to be this intense.
After washing her face, her phone rang.
She answered the call.
Ethan's voice was cold and firm. "Where are you?"
"In the bathroom."
Ethan replied, "I'm waiting for you in the underground parking. We'll have dinner at the old house tonight."
"Okay, Mr. Grant."
Fortunately, they didn’t have to return to the old house often for meals. Ethan’s mother had always hoped for Eleanor to be pregnant soon, and every time they went to the old house, it was stressful for her.
In the car, Eleanor felt uneasy sitting beside him.
Ethan always gave off an intense aura, like an invisible sword hanging in the air, making it hard for her to breathe.
He glanced up, his voice was low and magnetic. "Why do you look so pale?"
Eleanor had just thrown up, so her complexion wasn’t great, but she had to play it off. "Is that so? I should be fine."
Ethan studied her closely. "But your lips are still quite red."
Eleanor didn’t know how to respond.
Suddenly, he said, "Miss Bennett, you wouldn't be hiding something from me, would you? You’ve seemed off these past few days."
It sounded like a casual joke.
Eleanor, not in the mood to be teased, straightened up and answered seriously, "There’s nothing going on."
Ethan unexpectedly reached out and touched her face. "You’ve had a tough time these past days. I’ll talk to Ryan about it. You should take a rest."
Eleanor thought for a moment. This was a good opportunity to go to the hospital for an examination.
She didn’t plan to attend the physical check-up arranged by Ethan.
She had to admit, even though she hadn’t gone to the hospital for a full check-up yet, her instincts had already given her an answer. Her intuition had always been spot on.
So she was scared and didn’t want Ethan to know about the pregnancy.
"Okay."
The car stopped in the yard of the old house.
Eleanor got out, and Ethan immediately wrapped his arm around her waist with a bit more force than usual. Suddenly, he said, "Looks like you’ve gained some weight."
Eleanor’s heart skipped a beat. "I’ve been eating a bit more recently."
Ethan absentmindedly mumbled, "When my mom asks about Amelia, just don’t engage with her."
Eleanor nodded. "Okay, Mr. Grant."
'Amelia Grey.'
That name had always been Eleanor’s inner torment.
Amelia was her half-sister from her father’s side and also Ethan's first love and true love. They had been entangled for many years. Ethan had given all his deepest and truest feelings to Amelia.
But Ethan never knew that Eleanor and Amelia were half-sisters. She had severed ties with her father, Robert Grey, early on and even changed her name.
Eleanor’s father was a ruthless man who not only took her mother’s property but also brought his mistress and their daughter into the family shortly after marrying her mother.
Thinking about this, Eleanor’s chest tightened, and her eyes welled up.
Inside the grand mansion, Ethan’s mother, Claire Grant, affectionately took Eleanor’s hand. "You always say you’re busy. You two haven’t come back in half a month. Why does it seem like you’ve lost weight?"
Eleanor forced a smile. "It’s nothing, Mrs. Grant."
Ethan’s hand was still firmly on her waist, and he gave a faint smile. "Mom, Elle hasn’t lost weight. She’s actually gained a little."
He only called her "Elle" when they were playing the part of a loving couple. It was like an act, pretending to be deeply in love, as if he truly cared for her.
Ethan was a master at acting, and whenever he wanted, he could easily make someone’s heart flutter.
Claire was surprised. "I didn’t notice you gained weight."
Ethan smiled. "Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll take good care of my wife."
Claire rolled her eyes. "Talk is cheap. What I need is a grandchild."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "I’m trying."
Eleanor silently listened, not interrupting.
Claire thought that her son had finally come to his senses and was thrilled. She had no idea that for the past six months, they had taken precautions every time.
At dinner, Eleanor struggled to suppress her discomfort. The dishes on the table were light, but the smell of meat made her want to throw up.
Her face grew even paler, and Claire couldn’t help but ask, "Is Eleanor not feeling well?"
Eleanor shook her head. "No, I’m just a bit tired."
Claire scolded her son. "You should ease up on Eleanor at work."
Ethan raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, I admit, I’ve worked her hard recently. Don’t worry, Mom, I’ve given her time off."
"That’s better."
Eleanor barely ate anything for dinner. Before heading upstairs, she grabbed a bottle of yogurt from the fridge and drank it all at once. She immediately felt a little better, and her complexion improved.
Since their marriage, Eleanor and Ethan had never slept in separate rooms.
She felt more like a tool to satisfy Ethan's physical needs.
Ethan came out of the bathroom, his body still covered in steam, and leaned in to kiss her.
Eleanor had no place to retreat. After turning him down last night, she couldn’t refuse him again tonight without reason. Ethan would likely not be pleased.
But Eleanor was also worried about hurting the baby inside her. She turned her head, her face showing resistance. "Mr. Grant, tonight, I..."
Before she could finish, Ethan’s expression darkened, and he smirked with an unreadable smile. "Eleanor, I don’t like people who pretend."
After that, everything became a mess.
She wasn’t sure how it happened, but luckily, her stomach remained unaffected. Afterward, she felt drowsy and didn’t even have the strength to get up and shower.
Ethan held her as she fell into a deep sleep.
Before drifting off, Eleanor couldn’t help but think that Ethan had gotten a bit upset with her.
But he was someone who kept his emotions hidden. Even when he was unhappy, it was hard to tell.
*****
Eleanor woke up the next day around noon.
She sat on the bed in a daze for a while, her vacant gaze gradually coming into focus. She got up, and as she did, her eyes unconsciously caught sight of a note on the bedside table, with a check tucked beside it.
The amount on the check was just right.
Eleanor didn’t examine the check carefully, simply placing it aside.
She picked up the note and looked down.
The handwriting was unmistakably familiar.
Ethan’s handwriting was bold and elegant, pleasing to the eye.
Two short lines, clear and direct — "Thank you for last night. This is your compensation."
Eleanor’s hand trembled uncontrollably, and her tears fell onto the paper, blurring the ink.
She wiped her eyes, pursed her lips, and tore up the note, throwing it in the trash.
Eleanor knew Ethan well.
He was a man who never liked being defied.
If you upset him by even a little, he would make you regret it tenfold.
Eleanor crumpled the check in her hand, and after a moment, once she had calmed down, she tucked it into her bag.
She had no right to be picky; she needed the money more than anyone else.
- Writer
