Private Marriage, Secret Love-Chapter 63: Quickly Say, I Love You

"Let’s head back," Ethan Lancaster instructed Seth Sinclair.

"Yes, sir." Seth Sinclair called the waiter over to get the check.

Ethan Lancaster stood up to help Raina Reddington to her feet, but she suddenly threw her arms around his leg. "I don’t feel well."

The man’s large hand rubbed her head. "You’ll feel better once we get some fresh air."

"No, I don’t wanna go. I feel sick."

Ethan Lancaster pulled at her arm, but she only hugged him tighter. "Not going, not going. Carry me."

"Alright, I’ll carry you." Ethan Lancaster bent down to pick her up, but she clung to him like a koala. He was strong, but he couldn’t get any leverage.

Ethan Lancaster sat back down on the sofa. Raina Reddington’s hands suddenly found his face and started squishing and kneading it. He tried to pull her away in exasperation. "That’s enough."

Raina pinched his mouth, stared at it for a moment, and then leaned in.

’Annabelle Spencer really wanted to record this moment. If I show this to Raina after she sobers up, she’ll probably be so embarrassed she’ll want to bang her head against a wall, right?’

Her lips were soft, and her breath carried the faint scent of alcohol. Ethan Lancaster was lost in the moment, but the next second, he almost jumped up in pain. Raina Reddington had bitten his lower lip. The texture was just too good; not only was she unwilling to let go, she even bit down harder.

"Raina Reddington, damn you!" the man slurred, on the verge of fury.

Ethan Lancaster squeezed her cheeks, finally forcing her to let go. His lip was already swollen and throbbing with a fiery pain.

He clamped Raina Reddington tightly in his arms, scooped her up by the waist, and strode out. Annabelle Spencer quickly followed behind them.

When they reached the parking lot, Annabelle handed Raina’s bag to Seth Sinclair. The woman in Ethan’s arms was still squirming, nearly wriggling free from his grasp.

"I won’t see you off, then. Get home safe."

"Okay, okay." ’Annabelle didn’t dare let him drive her. What if Raina gets even wilder in the car? Such a small space... it wouldn’t be very convenient for... things...’

’Look where my mind is going.’ "No need, no need. My place is really close. I’ll just grab a cab."

On the way back, Raina Reddington was surprisingly quiet, as if she had fallen asleep. Seth Sinclair kept glancing back through the rearview mirror.

Ethan Lancaster lifted his eyelids slightly. "What is it?"

"Fourth Master, your lip..." ’It can’t be good for it to be that swollen.’ "Should we go get some medicine?"

Ethan lightly touched his lip. "No need."

"You have an important meeting tomorrow."

"So what?"

Seth Sinclair had no choice but to shut his mouth. ’When the time comes, he could just say he bit it himself.’ That would be the simplest explanation.

Back at The Verdant Garden, Ethan Lancaster carried Raina Reddington to the bedroom. She was light, but her constant squirming had worn him out on the way.

He tossed her onto the bed and took off her shoes. Just as he was about to pull the covers over her, Raina’s arms wrapped around his neck. "Hold me."

She kept repeating those two words, chanting them all the way from the bar to the house. Ethan braced his hands on either side of her, gently took her shoulders, and then hugged her.

"Tighter."

"Alright, alright." ’Drunkards. Women are so much trouble when they drink too much.’

"Hold baby."

Ethan couldn’t help but chuckle. ’How old is she, still calling herself ’baby’? How narcissistic can you get?’

But before the smile could fully form, it froze on his lips. ’This isn’t narcissism. This is a clear cry for affection.’

She was left to be raised in the countryside, unloved by her father and mother. No one would have ever lovingly called her their baby.

Ethan raised his right hand, his fingers gently stroking Raina’s face. She was drowsy and wanted to sleep. It was rare for Ethan to see this side of her, and he found it amusing. He patted her cheek, trying to get her to open her eyes.

"Hey, look at me. Who am I?"

Raina blinked a few times but didn’t speak.

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "Look at me. I’m Miles Hawthorne, your first love."

She studied his face, looking from left to right. Ethan pressed his forehead against hers. "Don’t you like me? Why aren’t you reacting now that you see me?"

Raina’s palm shot out with a SMACK, slapping Ethan across the face. She didn’t really mean to slap him; she just wanted to push his face away.

But she didn’t control her strength, and the slap left Ethan’s face stinging. He touched his cheek, straightened up, and sat there in a daze.

"Go away!" Raina said fiercely.

"Then tell me, who do you like?"

Raina waved a hand. ’So noisy. I just want to sleep.’

Ethan leaned down again. He took out his phone and turned on the video recorder. "How about you repeat after me, okay? Just say what I say. Say, ’I love Ethan Lancaster. I love him so much I’m going crazy and can’t pull myself away.’"

Raina mumbled a few words. Ethan couldn’t hear clearly, so he leaned his ear closer to her mouth.

"If you’re... sick, get treatment. I’m a doctor. A really good... doctor!"

Ethan reached out and tapped her forehead lightly. "I’m starting to suspect you’re faking it."

Raina turned over, her eyes squeezed shut, and fell asleep a moment later.

She slept very soundly and was woken up the next day by her alarm. Raina opened her eyes and grabbed her phone to check the time.

She had already forgotten how she got home last night. One of Ethan’s arms was draped over her, holding her from the front.

Raina nudged him. "I have to get to work."

"Baby, sleep a little longer."

Raina shoved him awake in disgust. "What are you calling me?"

Ethan, his eyes still heavy with sleep, patted her on the waist as if coaxing a child. "Baby, it’s still early. Just ten more minutes."

Raina was thoroughly grossed out. She kicked the man beside her. "Who are you calling ’baby’? Are you still half-asleep? Do you think you’re still in so-and-so’s bed?"

"You’re the one who asked me to call you that." Ethan pushed himself into a sitting position and ran a hand through his fluffy, short hair.

"Nonsense!"

"You were crying and begging me to call you that last night. If you don’t believe me, ask your friend."

The expression on Raina’s face was a sight to behold. "Ridiculous!"

On her way to work, the first thing she did was call Annabelle Spencer. Annabelle recalled the previous night’s events with great enthusiasm.

Something about catcalling for people to take their clothes off, groping Ethan Lancaster wildly in public, and even pouncing on him in a fit of insatiable hunger to chew on him. After Annabelle’s embellishments, the story left Raina so ashamed she didn’t dare show her face.

For the Lancaster Family, the end of the year was always the busiest time. Now that Zion Lancaster was living at home, Zachary Lancaster had pushed many of his social obligations onto Ethan Lancaster.

New Year’s Eve was just a few days away, and The Verdant Garden had also begun preparations for the holiday.

When Raina got home, she saw Ethan sitting in the living room. He waved as soon as he saw her. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

She walked over to him, and Ethan pulled her hand, making her sit down. He picked up an invitation from the side and placed it in her hand.

Raina opened it and saw it was from the Lynch Family.

’So annoying. There are always social gatherings to attend.’

Her expression shifted slightly. "I have work tomorrow, so I can’t go with you."

"It’s at night."

"I have to work overtime."

Ethan patted her shoulder. "Mrs. Lancaster, don’t be a coward. It’s just Miles Hawthorne. That’s all in the past."

"Right, it’s in the past."

"Then let’s go."

Raina slapped the invitation down. "Fine, we’ll go."