LOGINETHANNick returned with the wine. I took the bottle from him and dropped it at the side. "Thanks, Nick." My smile was sweet. Nick returned a smile and sat down. "Oh, you've shared the wine." "Yes. I decided to help you out." I raised the glass before me. "Don't thank me." "Vesper, would you like to drink this for me? My stomach feels a little uncomfortable, so I don't want to drink anything heavy." Vesper nodded. He took the cup and slowly sipped it. He poured the rest into his glass."Thank you." I flashed him a smile. Leander's eyes lingered on me. I suddenly felt a little awkward. The dinner was peaceful. With Leander in the room, even Nick became quiet. His presence alone seemed to command authority, which no one could breach. Leander was the first to stop eating. Vesper immediately stopped eating, too.Nick did the same. Watching as they all dropped their cutlery, I felt a little awkward eating alone. After a few more bites, I also dropped mine and relaxed in my seat.
ETHAN"You came." My words came out as a whisper. My eyes lingered on him; even blinking was hard. Leander's gaze also settled on mine. His lips pressed into a thin line, a calm look on his face as he nodded. "Hm. I'm here." "I'm here," the word echoed repeatedly in my ears. It was like a saving code, forcefully pushing back every discomfort and anxiousness in my chest. A hint of excitement showed in my eyes as I stepped toward him and smiled brightly. "Thanks for coming to my birthday, Mr Leander." I kept up the facade. Leander looked at me. He nodded without saying a word. He turned to look at Vesper, and the two stared at each other silently. Vesper had always been scared of his father. He was the type who would go obediently and quietly before his father, and this time wasn't any different. He had his hands at his sides, standing upright as he looked at his dad with a serious expression. Leander stepped forward. He approached the only single-seater in the room and sat d
ETHANStaring at the strings of words in the air, I couldn't say anything for a long while. My eyes lingered on the words, fully fixed without even blinking. I couldn't even think. It was as if my mind had gone blank. Time seemed to stop. The words sparkled before my eyes. Dazzling. Beautiful. Breathtaking. My fingers curled. The nails threatened to tear into my flesh. Slow music began in the background, bringing the space back to life and snatching me back to reality. It was like being drenched in a bowl of cold water, no, perhaps being dumped in a reservoir filled with bone-breaking cold water. The reality hit hard, punching me hard in the face until all the emotions hit rock bottom and my heart grew cold. The word in the air suddenly became ugly. They were so ugly that it was unbearable. I took my eyes off it. Even the room felt ordinary. Neither the stars nor the glitter felt good anymore. I crossed my arms around my chest, waiting for him to come out from wherever he
ETHAN"The Chairman is in the conference room, having a meeting with some clients. Would you like to join them?" "He asked to bring you in if you decide to join." I thought about it for a moment and shook my head. "No need. Thanks." With that, I turned around and left. The meeting with the client was something I had no prior knowledge of, and I had zero understanding of what they were talking about. Going inside that place to watch them talk and negotiate would be too boring. I'd rather focus on the training books for now and cross that bridge when the time comes. Every lazy bone in my body resisted the idea of joining, and I wouldn't go against that. I returned to my office, sat down, and sprawled on my desk. My eyes drifted to the countdown on my wrist. The three years had reduced to two years, and calculating the days before it, I realized they were indeed not up to twelve months anymore.Less than three years...The countdown was still running. Every minute that passed mov
ETHAN The day went on as usual. After eating the simple breakfast prepared by Leander, I left the estate and drove back home. Fortunately, Vesper wasn't at home. He must have gone to work. After a short bath, I put on my clothes and left the room. Gabriel stood beside the stairs, smiling softly at me. "Master Ethan." "Uh. Good morning, Gabriel. Thanks for yesterday..." I paused, suddenly remembering I hadn't asked Leander for the cake. It must be in his fridge, right? Damn it, I should have taken it to the office to eat... "Thank you very much. I really appreciate it." Gabriel laughed. "It's nothing, really. Did you enjoy the cake?" Well... I didn't. Could I really say that? "Erm. Where's Vesper?" I changed the topic. "He went out earlier. He's been busy since yesterday." "Oh? He didn't go to work?" I thought he did. For someone as ambitious as him, he wouldn't miss his work for anything, right? Where could he have gone? "Wait, did he return home last night?"
ETHANAfter releasing once, I felt a little better and calmer. The raging heat subsided, and with it came my rationality. I hugged the pillow tight, pressing my cheek deeper into it as I glanced at Leander, who was wiping his fingers with a wipe. "Should I help you take care of yours?" I glanced meaningfully at his pants. His eyelids lowered slightly. "No.""No?" "It's almost morning. I'll clean you up, and we can go to bed." He paused. "Not tonight." My mind buzzed. I wanted to sit up, but the relaxation that came after pleasure pressed me back in bed, and I could only groan in displeasure.Glancing at his pants, I could see the huge bulge underneath... "Why? You seem to need help, too." "I don't." Leander's voice remained as casual as ever. "It will go down after a while." I almost sneered. "Then what about our deal?" My voice grew lower. My eyelids grew heavier. I saw Leander leaning close. My eyes parted, trying to stay on his figure. But he only wiped the sweat etched o
ETHAN It was a sunny afternoon. Supporting my heavy belly, I stepped out of Leander's car with a small frown on my face. Turning around to look at him in the car, the frown on my face deepened, but I still bowed slightly as a form of respect. "I will take my leave now." I closed the car
ETHANThe company was as I had remembered it to be. Peaceful. Elegant. Tense. Everyone worked agilely with no sense of dawdling. Even the most ordinary worker was someone with a postgraduate degree. They were all experienced and vibrant. They bowed slightly when they saw my father, and none of
ETHAN My body turned cold as the realization dawned on me. Leander, my father-in-law, had a fate with me? Maybe it wasn't really fate yet, but why else would the countdown stop when he was with me? I wasn't certain. Yet a strong pull emerged from my chest, urging me to find out whatever was g
ETHAN My body suddenly fell backward. Fast. Sudden. A loud crack sounded within my body, and my eyes abruptly parted. I exhaled shakily. Shock and fear palpable in my silver orbs. Unable to control my emotions, I sat up and looked around even more curiously. I was in bed. If I hadn't reme







