It was pure torture.

Claire lowered her head, biting her lip in frustration.

The voice message had been muted.

But Ethan must have heard everything.

What was going on? 

She hadn't even finished comforting him, and now a new misunderstanding had appeared.

She forced herself to raise her head.

Ethan stood expressionless, removing his coat and hanging it

on the wall.

Claire got out of bed and walked toward him.

But Ethan didn't even glance at her. 

He walked past her, opened the wardrobe, took out his pajamas, and headed straight for the bathroom.

Claire wanted to speak, but the words stuck in her throat.

She pressed her lips together, went into the kitchen, took the food out of the refrigerator, and reheated it.

When Ethan came out of the shower, he saw the steaming dishes on the dining table and paused for a moment.

Only for a moment.

Then he looked away and walked to the balcony.

Claire waited until he finished hanging the clothes before approaching him with a smile.

"You haven't eaten yet, right? I made some food when I got back. I wanted to wait and eat with you, but you said you were working overtime. I didn't finish it, so I heated it up for you!"

"Go eat," she added.

Ethan replied coldly, "I've already eaten!"

Claire blinked."You can still eat a little more even if you've already eaten. My cooking skills are pretty good!" 

Ethan suddenly turned to look at her.

“Didn't you say you couldn't cook?"

Claire: "...” 

Hehe..

It seemed the original owner really couldn't cook. 

She coughed lightly. "l learned from videos online."

Ethan stared at her.

Claire smiled awkwardly.

In truth, Ethan hadn't eaten anything.

After leaving the company, he had gone straight home.

He sat down at the table, picked up his chopsticks, and began eating.

After taking a bite, he paused.

Claire quickly sat down across from him. "Is it not good?"

"It's good," Ethan said briefly.

It really was good.

If Claire had cooked it herself, then she was quite talented.

Claire let out a small sigh of relief.

Ethan finished both dishes and the soup.

Claire was puzzled.

Hadn't he said he already ate? 

Why was he eating so much?

But she didn't ask.

She picked up the dishes to wash them, but Ethan took them

from her hands. 

His tall figure caried the dishes into the kitchen and began washing them.

Claire stood by the door, fidgeting with her fingers. 

After hesitating for a long time, she finally spoke.

"l haven't told my family about our mariage yet. My mom didn't know, so that's why she said those things. Please don't mind it."

Ethan paused.

His fingers curled slightly before he continued washing the porcelain bowls.

After finishing, he rinsed his hands and turned around.

Claire suddenly met his dark eyes. She coughed awkwardly and looked away.

Ethan narrowed his eyes

In a low voice, he asked, "Why didn't you tell your family?"

Claire replied, "Our marriage happened too suddenly. I haven't figured out how to tell them yet."

"And my mom...this isn't a good time to tell her. She'll definitely argue with me."

Ethan didn't press further.

Some things didn't need to be said too clearly.

Although he had only overheard a few words when he came in earlier, he roughly understood what kind of person his mother-in-law was.

In the end, it was because he was poor.

Claire didn't want her family to know about their marriage.

Claire quickly added, "Don't be angry. I won't go see that person."

Ethan's fingers tightened slightly.

Was he angry?

Of course he was.

But what right did he have to blame Claire?

Seeing that Ethan didn't respond, Claire felt even more guilty.

If she were in his position, and she heard her mother-in-law telling her husband to go on a blind date, she would be furious too.

That would be the normal reaction of a wife.

Damn it. 

Why did she even try to put herself in his shoes?

Now she felt even worse.

"Ethan, don't be angry. I'll find a chance to tell my family about our marriage!"

Ethan stepped closer until he stood right in front of her.

He was much taller than her, his gaze deep and intense.

Claire suddenly felt nervous.

Ethan stared at her trembling eyelashes and fair cheeks. 

His hand slowly lifted.

Claire immediately took a step back and forced out a laugh.

"It's getting late. Let's go to sleep!"

She quickly ran to the bed and pulled the blanket over herself.

Ethan lowered his hand, his eyes dimming slightly.

He had to admit something.

Claire resisted his touch.

The night before last, he had already noticed that she was pretending to sleep.

Once might be shyness.

But several times meant resistance.

Ethan brushed his teeth, turned off the light, and lay down on the bed.

The two of them occupied opposite ends of the bed, leaving enough space between them for another person.

Claire didn't even dare breathe too loudly.

She thought of Sandra's words.

Just having Ethan come close made her nervous. 

How could she possibly kiss him, hug him, or even throw herself into his arms?

It was far too difficult.

The room was silent

Claire didn't know whether Ethan had fallen asleep yet.

After lying in one position for too long, she couldn't help turning over and lying flat on her back

She secretly glanced to the side.

It was pitch black. 

She couldn't see anything.

Ethan must be asleep by now,right?

Before long, Claire drifted off to sleep.

In the middle of the night, just as Ethan had finally fallen

asleep, Claire suddenly rolled over, threw a leg over him, and hugged him tightly.

Ethan stiffened.

He looked down at the person in his arms.

Wasn't she resisting physical contact with him?

Then why was she clinging to him like this now?

"Claire…" he called softly,

The person in his arms didn't respond.

"Claire, let go!"

After a while, Ethan realized Claire had fallen asleep.

Getting close to him had been completely unconscious.

She probably treated him like the toy she always hugged.

They had shared a bed for three nights now.

Tonight was the fourth.

Before this, Claire had slept perfectly well.

So why tonight...

A faint sweet fragrance drifted into his nose, and her soft body pressed against him.

It was pure torture.

He tried to pull Claire away several times.

But every time he managed to move her slightly, she clung to him again-tighter than before.

She murmured softly, 

"Furball...don't run away.." 

Ethan sighed helplessly.

She really was treating him like a toy.

Furball...it must be a toy, right?

It couldn't possibly be a Human's name.

The next morning, before Claire even opened her eyes, she felt herself hugging something warm.

In her daze, she thought it was Furball.

She had dreamed about Furball last night.

Furball was the Teddy Bear plush she won at Disneyland.

Feeling comfortable, she tightened her arms and legs around Furball.

Suddenly, a low groan sounded beside her.

Dеep.

Hoarse.

And strangely sexy,

Claire's eyes snapped open.

Her gaze landed on a man's prominent Adam's apple.

Her eyes slowly moved upward.

A sharp jawline.

Full, attractive lips.

A high, straight nose

Finally, she met Ethan's dark eyes.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She froze.

What was happening?

From the scene before her, it was obvious she had deliberately clung to Ethan.

Heavens!

She wished lightning would strike her dead.

Ethan looked at her indiferently, neither moving nor speaking, as if calmly watching a play.

Claire silently removed her leg, released her arms, closed her eyes, and rolled away.

She almost fell off the bed.

Startled, she caught herself and ran straight to the bathroom.

Oh no.

How could she fall asleep and hug Ethan like that?

So embarrassing!

Ethan looked at the closed bathroom door and rubbed his temples tiredly.

He hadn't fallen asleep until the early hours of the morning.