Private Marriage, Secret Love-Chapter 70: You Want Me? Come and Get Me.

Raina felt a tickle and shrugged. "Stop talking nonsense."

"Why don’t you believe me?"

She got a cutting board, sliced an orange, and arranged it on a plate. "How did she try to seduce you?"

"She touched my hand and whispered suggestive things to me."

Raina paused her slicing. "You let her touch you?"

"She caught me completely off guard. I didn’t even have time to pull away."

"You should probably just go home later." Raina had always known Mia was manipulative, but she never imagined she’d be so bold. ’And to do it here, in our own home... Isn’t she afraid of making things awkward for everyone?’

"If you’re not going back, I’m not going back either," Ethan Lancaster said, popping a slice of orange into his mouth. "You just have to protect me. I’m a prize catch, you know. Everyone wants a piece of me wherever I go."

Raina stuffed another slice into his mouth. "Even food can’t shut you up."

That afternoon, Grandma had tidied up Raina’s room and even aired out some of her clothes. Ethan Lancaster made a call to Seth Sinclair, telling him to pack some necessities from The Verdant Garden and bring them to the Reddington Family’s house.

The man sat on Raina’s bed. "It’s so small. It’s barely big enough for me alone."

"Then I’ll sleep with Grandma tonight. You can have this room."

"You dare!" Ethan grabbed Raina’s arm and pulled her in front of him. He wrapped his other arm around her waist, making her sit on his lap. "If you dare leave me all alone, I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth. Wherever you go, I’ll go."

Raina tried to get up, but Ethan tightened his arms, holding her in place. "Tell me, how did Mia end up falling like that all those years ago?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Just curious. Asking for no reason." After saying this, he shifted her up a little, positioning her over a sensitive spot. Raina’s body tensed, and she didn’t dare move. "It was actually very simple. She’s had a bad temper since she was little, always needing to get whatever she wanted. The tragedy began with a simple argument between sisters. Neither of us would back down. She climbed onto the railing and threatened to jump. I was used to it; I knew she was just trying to scare me... But I never expected that she’d lose her grip and actually fall."

"Pfft—" Ethan Lancaster burst out laughing.

Raina swung a hand to hit him, but he dodged just in time. "Sorry, I couldn’t help it."

"That’s my nightmare, and you’re laughing?"

"You could have explained it to your parents."

Raina shook her head. "Forget it. You don’t understand what it’s like when you can’t defend yourself no matter what you say."

She didn’t want to bring up that incident again during the New Year holiday. "Grandma just asked me to keep her company for a bit. You should go to sleep."

"How long will you be?"

"I’ll be back soon."

Ethan Lancaster released her, letting her stand. "I’ll take a shower and wait for you."

"Who asked you to wait!" Raina fled the room. Just as she was closing the door, she poked her head back in. "Bolt the door when you go to sleep, you hear?"

"Okay."

Left alone in the room, Ethan grew bored. His mouth felt a little dry, so he decided to go downstairs for a glass of water.

He poured some water and was heading back up to the second floor when he saw Mia Reddington at the top of the stairs. Ethan leaned against the wooden banister, one hand in his pocket, the other swirling the water in his glass.

Mia looked nervous, her hands fidgeting unsurely. "Brother-in-law, where’s my sister?"

"Do you need her for something?"

"It’s just been a while since I’ve seen her."

Ethan raised a finger and pointed toward the third floor. "She won’t be back for a while. She’s keeping Grandma company."

With that, the man started to walk up, but he paused as he passed by Mia. "It’s so late. You’re not asleep yet?"

"Dad and Mom are watching a movie. I told them I’d be staying up late tonight." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Ohh—" Ethan drew the sound out. He tapped his fingers twice on the glass. A man like him was captivating with just a glance, let alone now, when he was deliberately being provocative. Even his peripheral vision seemed to be luring her in. "I can’t sleep either. I have trouble sleeping in new beds."

Mia’s face flushed. Hearing Ethan’s footsteps grow more distant, she hesitated for a moment before following him.

Ethan opened the door and walked into his room. When he pushed it back, he didn’t close it all the way.

Mia reached the doorway. Seeing no one around, she boldly pushed the door open and went inside.

The man was sitting on the edge of the bed with his legs spread apart. He had already finished the water and placed the empty glass on the nightstand.

"Brother-in-law."

Ethan’s eyes were fixed on her. "The Reddington daughters really are something else. You’re quite a beauty yourself."

Mia’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. The man then asked, "Are you clean?"

The question was so blunt that Mia could barely handle it. She looked up with a timid gaze. "I... I’ve never been with anyone..."

"How nice." Ethan’s lips curled into an unreadable smile. "Then take it off."

A breath caught in her throat. She was caught off guard, yet felt an inexplicable, unbearable anticipation. "Brother-in-law?"

"You think this is a bad idea?" Ethan rested a hand on his leg and leaned forward, taking in her every expression. "Then get out. Otherwise, if your sister comes back, we’re both screwed."

Mia placed her hands on the hem of her sweater. After making a monumental decision, she lifted it off. She was only wearing a bra underneath. Ethan watched as she set the sweater aside, her hands moving self-consciously to cover her chest.

"Can you get on the bed?" Ethan felt this was far from enough.

Mia wheeled her chair to the side of the bed. She had been undergoing physical therapy, and it was showing good results. With great effort, she used her arms to lift her upper body. Her legs were weak, but she was able to get herself onto the bed.

Ethan clapped his hands. "Not bad."

Mia supported herself with her hands behind her and slowly leaned back. The honey-colored light fell on her, making her skin glow with a translucent white. She was wearing a skirt, and Ethan saw her trembling hand reach for the zipper.

’That’s enough. If this goes on any longer, this bed will be filthy, and I won’t be able to sleep here tonight.’

Ethan grabbed Mia’s hand, yanked her up, and then threw her back into her wheelchair.

"Brother-in-law?" Before Mia could even react, her wheelchair was being pushed away. Ethan pulled the door open and shoved her forcefully out into the hallway.

Terrified, she clutched her hands tightly over her chest. Ethan tossed her sweater at her. "You want to sleep with me? Did you really think I was that easy?"

With that said, he slammed the door shut with a BANG.

Mia trembled all over, her hands digging into her own arms. The humiliation and rage inside her erupted in an instant. She let out a piercing scream; she couldn’t swallow this indignation.

"AHH— AHHH—"

Soon, Ronan Reddington and Zoe Scott arrived. Their faces changed the moment they saw her state. Zoe quickly grabbed the clothing to cover Mia up.

Grandma and Raina, who were on the third floor, heard the commotion and came down to see Mia, practically topless, right outside the door of the room Ethan was staying in.