Chapter 7

Ariana stiffened, then shot back defensively, "W-Who said I was looking at you?"

She quickly changed the topic. "Why did you want to see me at this hour?"

Ethan replied evenly, "To talk about our engagement."

His tone was so detached that her heart tightened, and Carly's earlier words resurfaced in her mind.

If that weren't the case, why would he come personally in the middle of the night?

She took a deep breath, lifted her chin stubbornly, and said, "Let me be clear—if you're thinking of backing out now, it's too late. The ring you gave me—I'm not returning it. You're the dignified CEO of the Skye Group. You can't go back on your word."

The driver in the front seat shuddered involuntarily. In all of Horghen City, there were only a handful of people who would dare speak to Ethan like that.

Ethan's gaze shifted slightly. He smirked. "You're afraid I'll break the engagement?"

Ariana nodded solemnly. "A person should keep their word."

He suddenly smiled, as if in a rather good mood.

The abrupt silence that followed made her uneasy. He didn't say another word.

The car eventually stopped in front of a top-tier restaurant—one of the finest in Horghen City.

Ariana looked surprised. "Why did you bring me here?"

"To meet my parents."

His brief answer stunned her.

Meet the parents—to discuss the engagement details?

She glanced at the time. Just past midnight. Ethan's parents were certainly unconventional, choosing this hour to see her.

"Should I… change my clothes?" she asked cautiously, looking at the man across from her.

"No need."

Sensing her unease, Avery smiled and smoothed things over. "Don't worry, Mrs. Skye. Whatever you're comfortable in is fine. And we're right on time. You may head in now."

The word "Mrs. Skye" made Ariana's cheeks warm. They weren't even married yet.

Not wanting to keep the elders waiting, she straightened her clothes and entered.

The private room was elegant, with glittering night views outside the window. Inside, however, no one was there. A server led her to her seat and began serving the dishes.

Plate after plate appeared—every single one suited her taste. She couldn't help wondering whether they suited Ethan's parents as well.

She hadn't eaten much at the Miller residence, and after rushing back to Horghen City, she was genuinely hungry.

After she waited anxiously for a long while, the door finally opened again. Ariana's heart leapt into her throat.

But it wasn't Ethan's parents. It was a server wheeling in an exquisite cake.

By the flickering candlelight, she saw the words written on it: Happy Birthday.

Only then did she remember—it was her birthday.

It wasn't surprising that the Skye family knew all her information. What surprised her was the thoughtfulness.

"Is today… also Mr. Skye's birthday?" she asked carefully.

Avery smiled and shook his head. "No. This was prepared especially for you, Ma'am."

Really…?

Ariana looked at the man across from her, then dismissed the thought. How could he have gone out of his way to celebrate her birthday?

"Was it your parents' idea?" she asked.

Avery's smile deepened. "You could say that."

Ariana's nose stung.

Caleb had never seriously celebrated her birthday—not once. No matter how she hinted, he always brushed it aside.

She looked at Ethan and said softly, "Ethan, please thank your parents for their thoughtfulness on my behalf. And thank you—for being so considerate."

She assumed this was his arrangement to maintain a harmonious image in front of his family—discussing the engagement while conveniently celebrating her birthday.

Someone who paid attention to such details—even without love—marrying him might not be a bad choice.

Ethan looked at her deeply, his eyes filled with emotions too complex to read. He didn't explain, merely followed her lead.

"It's nothing."

The response felt oddly indifferent.

But Ariana was used to that.

Though hungry, she still waited politely for Ethan's parents. After a moment, Ethan lifted his gaze from his phone, his voice calm yet faintly distant.

"They had a last-minute matter to attend to. They won't be coming."

Ariana relaxed, though she was also surprised.

"Then all this food…"

"Since it's ordered, don't waste it."

At his signal, she finally picked up her fork.

Avery cut the cake for her and stood quietly to the side, watching her serene, satisfied profile. He thought to himself, 'She's such a resilient yet pure-hearted woman. Any guy would easily fall for her."

Just as he was lost in thought, a dark, penetrating gaze swept over him.

He immediately lowered his eyes and straightened, not daring to look again.

"When will I meet your parents next?" Ariana asked tentatively, wanting time to prepare.

Ethan replied evenly, "At next month's engagement party."

She nodded.

Silence fell once more.

She thought to herself, she'd only just returned to Horghen City today, and he had already come. If she hadn't come back, would he have gone to Emerson City to find her?

It seemed that every time she fell into trouble, his appearance pulled her out of the mire.

Perhaps that was a small blessing amid misfortune.

Lost in thought, she lowered her eyes to the cake on her plate. The corners of her lips lifted unconsciously into a faint smile she didn't even realize was there.

Across from her, Ethan took it all in.

…

Meanwhile, at the Miller residence, Caleb dragged his exhausted body home, only to find no sign of Ariana inside.

Today was her birthday. He'd assumed she would be waiting to have dinner with him.

He stared at his phone, but saw that she still hadn't replied.

His brow furrowed deeply. How long was Ariana planning to keep throwing this tantrum?

Annoyed, he pushed open the door to her bedroom. It was empty.

Where on earth had she gone? Her phone was still unreachable.

Just as he was about to leave, a delicate box on the vanity caught his eye.

He opened it and froze.

The diamond ring's design did resemble Ariana's style, but the diamond itself was flawless, its value enough to buy several villas in Emerson City.

She might have had the talent to design it, but she definitely didn't have the money to buy it.

Caleb's expression darkened as he suddenly recalled that night when Ariana claimed she was meeting a client, yet got out of a luxury car with an extremely rare license plate.

Combined with her recent coldness and distance…

She had loved him so deeply—how could she bear to give him the cold shoulder?

Unless—

Ariana… had cheated on him?!