He Took My Vengeance to Covet Me

Chapter 6

Ethan's voice was strained, his eyes bloodshot—pushed to his limit.

"I want to go out during the day," he ground out. "The Western doctor said my illness comes from being cooped up indoors too long."

With trembling fingers, he reached down to fiddle with the metal ring, spilling his pent-up release into my palm with a shudder.

"You can go," he relented at last.

Satiated and heavy-lidded, Ethan pulled me into his arms, his breath warm against my ear. "Sleep now, Winnie. I'll keep my word."

True to his promise, at dawn he summoned Lucas. "Was it your idea to tell Winnie she needs more outdoor activity?" His tone was dangerously calm, but Lucas—ever perceptive—caught the edge beneath it.

"Yes. Miss Carter's health is delicate," the doctor explained carefully. "Sunlight would strengthen her immunity."

Ethan gave a curt nod. "Then I'll post guards around her."

Lucas frowned. "Sir, with respect—while I understand your concern, surrounding a patient with armed escorts will only heighten her anxiety."

Seeing his expression darken, I quickly interjected, "There's no need. I'll stay within the estate—it's heavily guarded anyway. Lucas simply meant I should leave my room occasionally. Isn't that right?"

The doctor hesitated, then reduced his reply to a single clipped word under Ethan's glare. "Correct. Brief sunlight exposure would suffice."

The tightness in his jaw easing, Ethan stroked my hair. "Winnie, I'm tied up with military affairs these days, but I'll make time for you each evening."

I clung to his arm, playing the dutiful companion. "Focus on your duties, Ethan. I'll be waiting right here when you return."

After seeing Ethan off, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

I had the maid set up a lounge chair in the garden, and as the long-missed sunlight bathed me, my whole body relaxed with pleasure.

The sunlight soaked into my skin like warm honey as I curled up contentedly on the chaise. Ethan's suffocating watch these past days had left my nerves frayed—now, the sudden release of tension was like a weight lifting from my shoulders.

Before I knew it, I'd drifted into a light doze.

That peaceful nap ended violently when a bucket of ice-cold water crashed over me. I jolted awake, my mind still foggy, to see a woman in a vibrant yellow cheongsam staring down at me with naked disdain.

She was stunning—raven hair cascading like storm clouds, porcelain skin that made snow look dull. The perfectly tailored dress hugged every curve of her willowy figure.

Meanwhile, I sat there drenched and shivering, my white silk nightgown plastered to my skin, hair clinging in wet strands. The contrast couldn't have been more humiliating.

Her lips twisted into a smirk even more cutting than her gaze. "So you're Winnie," she drawled. "Ethan mentioned you—his kept woman, wasn't it?"

The words froze me in place like a dagger to the heart. So in Ethan's eyes, I wasn't even worthy of being called a concubine—just a temporary diversion.

My silence seemed to infuriate her. She stamped her designer shoe like a spoiled heiress. "How dare a mere bedmate act so insolent before her future mistress?"

So this was the infamous Chloe—the woman Ethan would marry in days. Not even wed yet, and already throwing her status in my face. If this was her behavior now, what fresh torment awaited me once she officially became mistress of the household?

Ethan might need to suck up to the general, but I certainly didn't. This pampered socialite would get no deference from me.

"You call yourself the future mistress?" I sneered. "Until that day comes, you've got no right to throw your weight around here."

That sent Chloe into a rage. Her hand whipped up to strike me—I wasn't usually one to fight back, but this time, my temper flared. I braced myself, eyes squeezed shut.

The slap never landed.

I peeked open one eye to see Lucas gripping her wrist. "Miss," he said coolly, "Miss Carter is ill. As a guest, is this how you treat the commander's lady?"

His words were flawless, but Chloe yanked her arm free. "Who do you think you are?" she shrieked. "I'll do as I please in my future home!"

Lucas just smiled. "The commander's affairs are none of my concern. I'm only here to tend the sick." With that, he pulled me away. Too proud to run after us, she stayed put, fuming.

That night, Ethan barely finished his tea before storming off to see Chloe.

I'd seen this coming. I'd half hoped my illness would take me first—but now I was healed. Ethan would never let me go.

They'd assigned Lucas to watch me, and Anthony watched from the shadows like a starving wolf. I couldn't die. I couldn't run. How was I supposed to survive once Chloe became his bride?

BANG!

The door exploded inward as Ethan kicked it open. He marched across the room, dragged me into his arms, and buried his face in my shoulder. "Winnie," he growled. "No one treats you that way. Not ever."

I held him mechanically. I should've been grateful. But I felt nothing.

Yet none of this suffering should have been mine to bear—wasn't he the one who'd dragged me into this misery?

Seeing my silence, Ethan lifted his head, eyes clouded with confusion.

I forced a smile, putting on my most obedient act as I soothed him,

"I'm fine. It's just...you scared me, bursting in like that."

He studied my ashen face—clearly shaken to the core—and a shadow of remorse crossed his features. Sweeping me into his arms, he carried me to bed, hands lingering chastely at my waist. He pressed a perfunctory kiss to my brow before pulling away completely.

I sneered inwardly. This tiny scrap of kindness was the most he'd ever offer. Refusing would brand me ungrateful.

My brief flicker of defiance died. What did it matter? At least compared to that lunatic Anthony, Ethan's madness was quieter.

At dawn, he was at it again. His fingers trailed down, slipping under my collar to pinch and roll until my gasps came sharp. I writhed, pushing weakly at his chest between panting breaths.

"Last night's fright...I barely slept...Ah...stop..."

To my surprise, he obeyed. Pulling back with that infuriating smirk of his, he cradled my face and brushed his lips against mine.

"Fine. The wedding's days away anyway. I'll take my pleasure with you then."

"You're insufferable..."

Chuckling, he rolled out of bed. I dozed until a maid's knock startled me awake.

"Miss Carter, are you decent?"

Clutching the quilt to my throat, I called out,

"Enter."

The maid shuffled in bearing a tray—a bowl of pitch-black liquid and three osmanthus cakes.

"The commander's orders—cordyceps soup to strengthen your constitution."

I gave a noncommittal hum. She set the tray down and scurried out.

The familiar burst of honey and flower bloomed on my tongue—so the bastard did remember what I liked.

I took a few more bites of the osmanthus cakes, finding them cloyingly sweet, then raised the bowl of inky black tonic for a cautious sip.

Instead of the expected bitterness, a surprising hint of savory sweetness danced on my tongue. As I drank half the bowl, warmth flooded through my limbs, spurring me to take a stroll in the courtyard.

The moment I opened the door, a maid stood waiting, her posture meek.

"Miss Carter, are you heading out?"

Still savoring the treats, I replied cheerfully, "Just need to walk off that meal."

"Go ahead, miss. I'll clear the dishes and bring your lounge chair straightaway."

This maid was oddly attentive today.

Gossip must have raced through the servant quarters about yesterday's debacle—how Chloe had come picking fights only to walk away with nothing but a scolding.

They'd pegged me as still being in favor, hence the renewed fawning.

At the realization, I twisted my lips into a humorless smile. Who was I to judge their bootlicking?

In these war-torn times, this was simply the law of the jungle.

Sunlight draped over me like an old friend, lifting the fog in my head—yet today the sun stabbed at my eyes. Within minutes, the world tilted, sweat slicking my skin as even standing became a struggle.

The maid returned with the lounge chair just as my lungs heaved violently. Before I could sit, everything went black.

The next thing I knew, I was staring at my bedroom ceiling.