Chapter 5: Brief Dreamy Happiness.
1095 Words
Rebecca, feeling a bit guilty, said: “There’s no mouse. I came here just to talk to you."
Ethan sat up, ready to listen to his wife's advice: “Go ahead, I’m listening."
Rebecca carefully observed the man in front of her.
Besides his somewhat shabby appearance and lack of care for his looks, she noticed how handsome he really was.
Ethan was tall and strong, with perfectly toned muscles, brows sharp like swords, bright eyes, and well-defined cheekbones, exuding an aura of authority.
Regaining her composure, Rebecca blushed and finally managed to say: “I’m sorry about today. I misunderstood things between you and Tracy. I was moved when I overheard your conversation with her."
"...Thank you... for you loved me much like that."
Although there were reasons behind it all, Ethan still felt both happy and emotional upon hearing this.
For the first time in three years, Rebecca was truly looking at him.
Stay calm, he reminded himself.
Ethan, showing a forgiving attitude, said: “It's okay."
Now was the time to display the magnanimity of a man.
The more forgiving Ethan appeared, the smaller Rebecca felt: “Although it was someone else's idea to test you today, I still owe you an apology. I shouldn’t have tested you like that—it must have hurt you."
Ethan maintained his forgiving stance: “It's really okay, honestly. Gold doesn’t fear the fire!"
But deep down, Ethan couldn't help feeling uneasy.
If he hadn’t noticed that tiny camera earlier... he’d be bearing a huge injustice right now.
Rebecca, feeling even more remorseful, sat down and quietly said: “Ethan, I know that ever since you came to the Nicholas family, everyone has looked down on you and found reasons to ridicule you. You've had to endure so much cold treatment. But I hope you won’t feel inferior or resent anyone. As long as you conduct yourself honorably, no one will dare to say anything about you."
Ethan understood the underlying message: from now on, if you behave well, I, Rebecca, will stand by your side.
For the past three years, everyone in the Nicholas family, including Rebecca, had looked down on Ethan.
But today, she had decided to take his side.
Ethan felt moved.
"Alright, my love. I’ll be the real man you deserve.” Ethan immediately expressed his resolve to stand by her.
Rebecca was pleased: “But if I ever find out you’ve done something to betray me, our marriage is over. Do you understand?"
"Understood.” Ethan replied instinctively, about to suggest that she stay the night.
"Get some rest.” Rebecca said as she turned to leave.
Watching her graceful and elegant figure, Ethan felt both touched and slightly disappointed.
At that moment, he realized Rebecca was truly a woman worth protecting.
From the moment she decided to take on the burden of protecting him, he vowed to protect her too!
The next day at noon, Ethan prepared a hearty lunch and brought it to the Emerald Hospital in Rose Town.
He sat quietly next to Rebecca, watching her eat.
Ethan was captivated by how beautiful Rebecca looked while eating.
This was the first time Rebecca allowed Ethan to bring her food to her office.
It showed that in her heart, she had begun to accept this “useless” man as her husband.
To others, bringing lunch to one's wife at work might seem like an ordinary thing.
But for Rebecca, it was no easy feat.
Although Rebecca came from the wealthy Nicholas family, her father, Roger Nicholas, was the illegitimate son of the elder Mr. Nicholas.
While the elder had doted on Rebecca like a precious jewel when he was alive, after his passing, the family’s control fell to Mrs. Nicholas.
With Mrs. Nicholas, Rebecca was not a true granddaughter.
As a result, Rebecca was often suppressed and excluded by the Nicholas family.
Had it not been for Rebecca’s outstanding performance in managing Emerald Hospital, she would have long been cast out of the family.
In order to prevent her parents from being expelled from the family, Rebecca had always been extremely cautious in her work, fearful that one day the Nicholas family would find a reason to make things difficult for her.
Three years ago, Rebecca married Ethan, and since then, she had felt despair in her marriage.
Her only purpose in life was to run the hospital successfully and earn the Nicholas family's recognition.
Because of this, Rebecca had always been in opposition to Ethan—the live-in son-in-law who was mocked by the family—just like everyone else in the family.
But now, she had decided to accept this man, even letting him enter her office, which was a huge risk for her.
Perhaps she did this out of guilt for how harsh she had been on Ethan for the past three years.
Or maybe she had been moved by Ethan’s words at the hotel.
After all, he was her husband.
"I’m full.” Rebecca said after finishing the last bite of bamboo shoots in her bowl, wiping her lips with a wet napkin as she reminisced about the delicious meal.
She had to admit, Ethan was an excellent cook.
As Ethan cleaned up the dishes, he said: “I’ll bring lunch for you again tomorrow!"
"Alright.” Rebecca replied with a smile.
That smile was gentle, like a blooming flower.
Ethan left the hospital feeling elated.
After three years, he had finally achieved a happy marriage.
It had been so hard...
But the good times didn’t last long.
Perhaps the heavens, jealous of their newfound happiness, decided to punish them by driving a wedge into their marriage.
Today, something had happened.
"Ethan, you’re a beast! How dare you pull such stunts behind my back!"
Ethan lowered his head, enduring Rebecca's fury.
The photos clearly showed Ethan hugging and kissing a beautiful woman in a short skirt in the grand hall of the train station.
Rebecca, dressed in her office attire fumed with anger, her chest heaving as she spoke with disgust: “These pictures have been posted on the hospital's internal network, making me the laughingstock of both the hospital and the family."
"For the past three years, I’ve worked hard to provide for you. Just a few days ago, I thought you might finally become a decent person, so I took the risk of being ostracized by the family to try and live happily with you."
"And this is how you repay me? By cheating on me? You’re worse than an animal!"
- Writer
