n, Scarlett found herself settlin

ebbed aw

second day, Ethan descended the staircase just as Scarlet

steamed buns, and

off her apron and setting it aside. "I wasn't sure of y

food, she prepared everything with ample qua

Ethan was hardly surprised. Seating himself, he reached for a ste

ielding dough yielded to a

finding such simple pleasure in

s. This isn't to my liking

hid a smile behind lowered lashes. Then she

future, and she silently resolved to inqui

an produced a bank card from his pocket,

stonishment

ed on the back," Ethan stated matter-of-factly. "Henceforth, feel

ith your salary?" Scarl

w days old; even in marriage, t

matters to someone he hardly knew? Wa

y wife; it's only natural for

rely a decoy, a temporary

but he cautioned Greg that only a nominal amou

er curiosity would undoubtedly cent

it was a small price to pay

suspicious about her, he'

ry prowess had left a

n's machinations, Scarlett's heart

ightforward, tucking the bank card away. "Rest as

t sparkled like dew-kissed petals. Her smile, reminis

u; what you choose to pu

ouldn't shake the feelin

ded to the dishes, intending to ve

ave the prior day, she was obl

, she resolved to visit her grandmoth

on her. Ethan's cool voice pierced the silence

ctural designer at Timberland Architectural Firm. It's in the oppo

ll, heading north. Given the location of her workpla

his watch, he said, "It's still early. I'll drive you there. Perhaps consider i

ve prepared meals for myself re

e his offer. Accepting his offer wou

cola before he gave his consent. If

Nicola being dis

her refusal, Ethan had already

ing after him. Observing his reticent d

ut even as the elevator st

n was about to sit in the dri

er door, stirring memories of his frien

pressed tight. Just as Scarlett moved to open the door,

nd startled her. She stopped th

er head due to the sharp pain, she c

assed. "Are you alr

ct such a mish

she managed a strained smile, attempting

speech impossible, leaving he

you to th

er up carefully, he settled her into the passenger seat, his

gentle but firm, her fingers tremblin

, the engine humming to life as they pulled out of the base

the journey, weighted with g

ng, Scarlett was spared the

her to the hospital, because Nicola was staying

ed about Nicola and

assist Scarlett once more, only to be met with a p

and asked, "

her cheeks flushing as she to

acutely aware of the intimacy

elt uncomfortably intimate, prompting a r