Private Marriage, Secret Love-Chapter 17: Seeing Him Again

Raina Reddington quickly closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep.

Ethan Lancaster entered the room and stood before the bed.

Raina didn’t dare to breathe. Only when she heard the man’s footsteps heading toward the bathroom did she lift a corner of the blanket to peek out.

When he came out of the shower, he didn’t bother her. The two slept on their respective sides of the bed, and the night passed peacefully.

For the next few days, Raina was on edge. The matter of the video felt like a ticking time bomb, ready to detonate at any moment. Her relationship with Ethan Lancaster was lukewarm; even though he came home every day, they had nothing to say to each other.

One day, on Raina’s day off, Ethan Lancaster sat up in bed. "I have a social engagement tonight. You’re coming with me."

She instinctively furrowed her brow. "Just take a date and go by yourself."

"It depends on the occasion. The Wallace family is hosting today, and it’s only respectful for the official wife to attend."

The words made Raina uncomfortable, but since she was married to Ethan Lancaster, she had to attend certain social functions when required.

Since it was a Wallace family banquet, Raina specially chose a long wool dress. She was tall, and the form-fitting design cinched at her waist, making her look even more slender.

In the car, Ethan Lancaster reminded her, "They’re calling it a family banquet, but it’s actually for the Wallace’s grandson’s tenth birthday. I’ve already prepared a gift. You’ll present it to Mrs. Wallace yourself in a bit."

"Okay."

"Raina, have you ever been in love?"

Raina’s heart felt as if it had been grazed by the sharp tip of a blade. It wasn’t a gut-wrenching pain, but it hurt nonetheless. "Fourth Master, everyone was young and naive once."

"How many times?"

"Just messing around." Raina didn’t want to continue this topic.

Ethan Lancaster’s lips curled into an intrigued smile. "True. Was it because the man wasn’t good enough?"

Raina said nothing more, turning her gaze out the window as Ethan Lancaster’s words pulled her back into the past.

When they arrived at the Wallace estate, the large villa was already bustling with activity. Although the Wallaces had said it would be a small affair, they had too many friends and relatives. Seating had to be arranged by importance, and Raina and Ethan Lancaster were placed at the main table in the living room.

She gave the gift to Mrs. Wallace and was then politely invited to take her seat.

Bored, Raina picked up her phone to pass the time, but then she heard someone call her. "Sis."

She turned to see Zoe Scott pushing Mia Reddington’s wheelchair right behind her. Raina stood up. She hadn’t contacted her family since their last unpleasant parting.

"Mom, what are you guys doing here?"

"The Wallace Family sent an invitation."

Raina couldn’t help but glance at Mia. She usually refused to attend these kinds of events. Mia was wearing a stylish jumpsuit; if not for the wheelchair, no one would know her legs were crippled.

"My brother-in-law asked me to come."

Raina was silent. Zoe Scott explained, "That’s right. Ethan said we should bring Mia out more often, let her meet people..."

"And I’m happy to listen to my brother-in-law." Mia looked around. "Where is he?"

"If you’re looking for him, go find him outside. He’s not here." Raina’s expression remained indifferent throughout the exchange. Zoe Scott was displeased. "Raina, what kind of attitude is that?"

Raina didn’t reply and sat back down in her chair.

The Reddington family members were seated at the adjacent table. Before long, Ethan Lancaster returned from outside with a few other people.

"Is everyone not here yet?" Ethan Lancaster asked, noticing the two empty seats across from them.

"Look, speak of the devil." Mr. Wallace, the host, quickly stood up to greet them. "Mr. Hawthorne, Miss Lynch, your timing is impeccable."

Raina’s gaze was lowered, but upon hearing that surname, she felt all the blood rush to her head. ’Maybe I’m just being too sensitive. There are so many people with the surname Hawthorne in the world.’

The chairs across the table were pulled out, and a man and a woman sat down. The man was directly opposite Raina.

"This must be Miss Lynch’s fiancé, right?"

Miss Lynch was poised and graceful. "Yes, this is my fiancé, Miles Hawthorne."

Raina’s heart skipped a beat. She lifted her head, her eyes meeting the man’s. The face that had grown blurry in her memory now merged with the person before her.

The young man who had once laid beside her on a ridge between country fields, discussing which colleges to apply to, had long since shed his boyish innocence. Now, he was clad in an armor of composure and coldness, as if he had become a different person entirely.

Raina quickly averted her gaze, but the moment was not lost on Ethan Lancaster. "You know him?"

A self-deprecating smile touched her lips before she spoke. "How could I possibly have the connections to know someone of Mr. Hawthorne’s stature?"

Miles Hawthorne didn’t respond. Hannah Lynch smoothed things over with a few words, and the banquet officially began. Raina had no desire to even pick up her chopsticks. She felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, desperate to leave immediately.

Ethan Lancaster gently swirled the base of his wine glass, the crimson liquid coating the sides. "I hear Miss Lynch is also interested in the Silverstream City water conservancy charity project?"

"The Lynch Family has always valued charity. It would be wonderful if we could secure it."

Ethan Lancaster had no intention of handing over something he was determined to get, much less allow someone to snatch food from his plate. "This project isn’t profitable, you know."

"I know it isn’t profitable, but it earns goodwill. We’re looking at the long term."

The Wallace’s living room had projection equipment, and carefully selected photos were displayed on a large screen. Ethan Lancaster leaned closer to Raina, his arm gently wrapping around her waist. "Look at Mr. Hawthorne and Miss Lynch. Aren’t they a match made in heaven?" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

A ripple seemed to disturb the depths of Miles Hawthorne’s dark eyes as his gaze fell lightly on Raina’s brow.

He saw her elegant eyebrows relax, her own eyes revealing no sign of turmoil.

"And aren’t you and I a match made in heaven as well?"

This clearly pleased Ethan Lancaster. He disregarded the occasion and kissed Raina on the cheek in front of everyone.

The Wallace Family had also prepared a congratulatory video, featuring many celebrities from Stoneworth. Raina stared at the faces on the screen, a powerful sense of unease rising within her.

She even felt her heart pound with panic. ’Something bad is about to happen.’

The scene on the screen suddenly changed. The very thing Raina had been dreading was actually happening. Her face went deathly pale, and she didn’t dare to look, forcing her eyes downward.

Someone in the crowd gasped, "Is that—"

Yes, that was Ethan Lancaster’s face, clear as day.

Raina clasped her hands together, hearing Miss Lynch across from her exclaim, "What in the world is this?"

Mr. Wallace, breaking out in a cold sweat, shot to his feet and yelled, "Turn it off! Turn it off!"

But Ethan Lancaster spoke in a slow, unhurried tone, "Why turn it off? It’s quite a show. Let’s keep watching."

’The man must be insane.’ Raina didn’t dare provoke him at a time like this, so she kept her mouth firmly shut.

Mr. Wallace looked completely bewildered, assuming Ethan was just confused with anger. "Fourth Master, I have no idea where this came from."

"If you don’t watch until the end, how will you know what happened?" As Ethan Lancaster finished speaking, no one else dared to say a word, let alone gossip. Miles Hawthorne toyed with a lighter in his hand, his peripheral vision fixed on Raina across the table.