Mr. CEO's Timed Bride

6 Tears at Midnight

Ethan turned his head away, annoyed by Cosette’s response. Cosette smiled softly in response to his annoyance.

“Well, what are you laughing at!?” Ethan scoffed.

“You really look like my brother when you get all mad,” laughed Cosette, smiling into Ethan’s eyes.

“Coco, do you hate me?” Ethan asked abruptly, catching Cosette off guard.

Cosette stared at him for a moment, trying to figure out if he was joking or not. She found herself at a loss for words.

“Of course, I do not hate you. What sort of question is that?”

The light in Ethan’s eyes faded gradually. “But you do not like me,” said Ethan quietly.

“Ethan, you do understand the difference between liking someone and loving them, do you not?”

“Do you love me?” Ethan asked. “Or only as a brother. Is there someone else you love in the way I want you to love me?”

“I…”  Cosette did not know how to respond.

“I heard you talk in your sleep one night,” Ethan confessed. “You called out a name.”

Cosette did not reply.

“Is it Edward?” Ethan asked.

Cosette did not reply to him and remained silent for a moment.

Ethan did not give her time to find a response. “I understand Coco. I will talk to Charles and make sure you are discharged from the hospital.”

He left as soon as he finished the sentence, leaving Cosette unable to respond in any way.

Cosette started after him for a moment, wanting to say something but fell back and just remained silent. How could she respond to that?

Whatever Ethan said, it was effective and a moment later a doctor came to Cosette’s room to handle the discharge procedures for her.

As she got out of bed to prepare herself to leave, she could see in the mirror that she looked much better than she had a few days ago. She changed back into her normal clothes quickly then headed over to visit her brother who she had been unable to visit despite being stuck there all week.

Stuart was pleased to see his sister.

“I was starting to think you had forgotten me,” Stuart smiled jokingly.

Cosette walked over, climbing onto his bed beside him and looked at him carefully. Cosette noticed it seemed like Stuart’s face was not as pale as before.

Stuart noticed the concern in her eyes, but he only smiled brightly at his sister. “It is fine Cosette, I have been taking care of myself. I know you have been busy with work. I love you and want you to be happy.”

Cosette sighed and nodded her head. She felt bad she had not been around much, but it was true she had been very occupied by work.

Stuart changed the topic. “I wanted to tell you, Edward came to visit a few days ago. You guys should meet!”

“Edward?” Cosette sat up suddenly. “What do you mean, he visits you here? He came to visit you recently?”

Stuart nodded, and Cosette furrowed her eyebrows. Cosette was confused. Why would Edward come to visit her brother? Especially after she ended their arrangement.

Stuart told her that they were good friends and he really looked forward to Edwards visits.

Cosette was even more confused. The person Stuart explained was definitely not the Edward Coton she knew. But the name could not be a coincidence.

She could not really understand why Edward was visiting, but she could tell it made Stuart happy and that Edward was kind to him, so she did not see a reason to make sure it does not happen again.

“Is something wrong Cosette?” asked Stuart, noticing Cosette was lost in her thoughts.

Cosette came back to earth and grinned at her younger brother.

“What is going on?” Stuart asked again.

“Nothing, I was just thinking about work.” Cosette sighed.

“Oh, okay.” Stuart shrugged, not wanting to push it more. After a short paused he continued, “Take care of yourself and don’t worry about me. I have been doing better now.”

Cosette smiled at her brother, feeling relieved by his assurance.

Cosette ended up staying very late catching up until Stuart fell asleep.

She did not leave the hospital until very late, walking home in the dark night.

She kept thinking about her conversation with Ethan earlier. She had not seen him since and was not sure when she would see him again. It was a big city and they rarely bumped into each other. Eventually she sat down on a bench for a moment to collect her thoughts.

Not far from her bench she was distracted by a couple leaving a bubble tea shop. The girl was holding one cup midair and the other up to the boy’s mouth. The boy took it from her laughing and whispered something in her ear before kissing her hair as she giggled.

The playfulness made Cosette feel overwhelmed with loneliness and all the emotions she had held in finally came out of her and she sobbed silently.

The couple seemed to have noticed her tears as they stopped and Cosette could hear them whispering.

“Should we say something? She looks very upset, maybe something bad happened to her.”  She heard the girl whisper.

“I doubt something bad happened, she is probably just having a bad moment and would prefer to be left alone.” She heard the boy response.

“Would you leave me alone if I was upset?” the girl asked.

“Nonsense. I will never leave you.”

Cosette heard their voices get farther away but she did not get up.

Cosette sighed sadly. She had left Edward and had thought it was the right decision to make given the circumstances but could not hide the lonely feeling inside of her. She missed him.

Back in Coton Group, Earl glanced over at the clock on the door once more before he turned and opened the door of the president's office.

He looked inside at Edward, who was still working. Edward was supposed to be working through a document but did not seem to realize he had not even opened it.

“It is late sir. You have an important meeting tomorrow morning. Surely it is time to rest. Let me drive you back, Mr. Coton.” Earl pleaded.

“There is no need to drive me back. I can drive myself; you should go home.” Edward replied without even sparing him a glance.

Earl opened his mouth a few times but gave up and walked out in frustration.

Every time Edward was not happy about something, he buried himself in work. His complicated relationship with Cosette had worsened his situation again.

Edward looked ahead at the empty doorway with a sigh. Why couldn’t he get this lady off his mind?

Meanwhile, Cosette was busy worrying about whether or not she still had a job.

Elliot called her to reassure her they would never fire an employee over their own mistake.

“Are you serious? That is great news!” Cosette was relieved. Not only was she to keep her position, but he also offered her a role that someone cast had fallen sick for. Cosette was thrilled some good had come out of her accident. It was far too amazing of an opportunity for Cosette to refuse.

“Of course, I will take it. It is a great opportunity for me. I am fine. I can work tomorrow.” said Cosette cheerfully.