Chapter 5

After saying that, he didn’t even give me a chance to speak—he pressed his lips against mine. My eyes widened in shock and confusion. I couldn’t believe he kissed me. I was too stunned to react. And when he realized I wasn’t stopping him, he deepened the kiss, growing more passionate. I saw him close his eyes, moving his lips like he was genuinely enjoying it.

His hand slowly moved from my wrist up to my face. Then he tilted his head to the right so he could kiss me more fully. I remained frozen. I didn’t know how to respond or what to do. It was the first time he had ever kissed me. And the worst part—this man doesn’t even like me.

Didn’t he say just a few hours ago that he’d never kiss me?

Reality hit me hard: I was married now. And intimacy... it couldn’t be avoided, not when I had to live my life with this man. But he didn’t even ask me if I wanted this. Was he doing it because he thought he had the right now? Does marriage give him permission to do whatever he wants?

What would happen if I said no? Would he stop? Or would he just keep going? Am I just going to be a tool for him to use whenever he pleases? How am I supposed to live like this?

Just the thought made me want to push him away. I didn’t even notice when the tears started falling, but I felt them roll down my cheeks—some landing on the fingers that were still gently holding my face. That’s when he finally stopped and pulled away slightly.

“Why are you crying?”

Author's POV

Ethan looked up and saw Violet crying. Her nose had turned pink, and she looked terrified. In that moment, his mother’s words echoed in his mind—words he’d tried to bury for years.

“Eyes are the windows to the soul. Your mouth can lie, but not your eyes.”

He stared into her eyes, unmoving, speechless. She swallowed hard, struggling to find her voice. Finally, she spoke, trying to explain through her trembling words.

“I-I didn’t mean to sleep here. M-my toe hit the nightstand and I... I fell on top of y-you. I swear I wasn’t trying to sed-seduce you. C-Can you please just l-leave me alone?”

Her tears kept falling, one by one. Ethan clenched his jaw, staring at her nervous, frightened face. He couldn’t tell if she was acting or genuinely scared. But her tears stirred a long-forgotten memory—one that instantly filled him with rage. He withdrew his hand from her face and sat up straight.

“Get out.”

She immediately stood and rushed toward the door, but before she could leave, he stopped her again.

“Where do you think you’re going? Do you want my father to find out I threw you out?!”

She turned around slowly, confusion and panic written all over her face.

“Th-Then where should I go?”

He poked his tongue against the inside of his cheek, his eyes raking over her from head to toe. He hated how he couldn’t seem to control himself when she was around. If she stayed in the room with him tonight, he might do something he’d regret. With a frustrated sigh, he got up, grabbed her wrist, and began dragging her toward the balcony.

“You’re sleeping out here tonight. Next time, be careful before falling on top of me.”

She nodded as quickly as she could. Ethan immediately shut the balcony's glass door and noticed her red toe. Without saying a word, he turned around and went back to the comfort of his bed. He turned off the lights, feeling a little guilty for overreacting—but mostly, he was just embarrassed about the kiss.

He didn’t want to face her at that moment.

He lay on his bed, but sleep refused to come. He kept tossing and turning, his thoughts circling back to the kiss they shared. Her lips were so soft—plump and sweet—that he couldn’t stop himself from indulging more and more. Her wrists were so tiny, he could’ve held both in one hand.

Her skin was softer than silk, and he wanted to touch her all over. When he tilted his head during the kiss, her eyelashes brushed against his cheek like delicate feathers, tickling him gently. He couldn’t deny it—he was completely seduced by her the moment he stepped out of the bathroom.

He had tried to keep his composure, but the second she fell onto his chest, he lost control and ended up kissing her—knowing full well he might regret it later. It was just a kiss, he tried to convince himself. No big deal.

Besides, they were already married—even if he hadn’t wanted to be. He’d planned to escape at the last minute, but his father had anticipated that and hired five bodyguards to prevent him from ruining the ceremony. Ethan deeply regretted agreeing to the marriage, but he hoped that once his father retired in two years and he became chairman, he could divorce her.

Then she can do whatever she wants... and I’ll finally be free.

A sudden chill in the air made him frown. She must be freezing out there. He got up and walked toward the balcony door. With a deep sigh, he opened it—but she didn’t move.

He waited for thirty minutes. Still, she didn’t come in. Huffing in frustration, he walked back to the door.

"Do you want to get sick just so you can make me look bad in front of my father? Is that your plan? Trying to prove how obedient you are?!"

She stared at him, startled.

"B-But you told me to l-leave. What did I do wrong this time?"

"Stop pretending... Just come inside if you want."

With that, he left the door open and returned to his bed. A few minutes later, he heard the soft click of the glass door closing. She walked over to the couch and smiled softly, relieved by the warmth. She finally felt she could sleep peacefully tonight.

to be continued....