Chapter 4

Holding back my tears, I put on a fake smile in front of him. So this was what it felt like to have your sincerity betrayed.

Ethan's grandfather's deal with the village only lasted until I gave birth.

But he never said who the child had to be with. Since Ethan gave me to someone else, I wouldn't refuse either.

So the next evening, when the man appeared again.

I no longer reacted strongly. I walked over actively, leaned into his arms, and took off my clothes one by one.

"Ethan, we don't need protection anymore. Let's have a baby."

Day after day, this deceptive relationship between me and this man continued for a whole year.

I pretended not to know he wasn't Ethan. He pretended to be Ethan.

During the day it was Ethan, at night it was this man. They worked together so seamlessly that they never appeared in front of me at the same time.

Every time Ethan and I held hands during the day, that night the man would exhaust me even more, making it impossible for me to get out of bed the next day.

He forced me to say I loved him over and over in bed, and he would respond each time saying he loved me too.

He wouldn't let me call him "Ethan Quinn." He only let me call him "honey" at night.

I heard his whispered words when he thought I was asleep.

"Why marry him? Do you love him that much? You can't even tell the difference."

Actually, I wanted to ask him the same thing.

Why deceive me along with Ethan? I didn't even know who he was.

When I treated him as Ethan, what did he see me as?

I was afraid to hear that he also just saw me as a tool. I didn't dare ask.

The next day, Ethan came home early. He said his grandfather's banquet specifically required my presence.

I was dressed up like a doll, and finally Ethan helped me into the car.

As soon as the door closed, my body stiffened. There was another person's breathing in the car.

The sweet, pungent smell of perfume---it was Miranda, wasn't it? Was she really this impatient?

Halfway through the drive, sticky kissing sounds started, followed by Ethan's muffled groan. The zipper on his clothes was being pulled down.

This made it impossible for me to pretend nothing was happening. After all, I was only blind, not deaf.

"Ethan, are you not feeling well? I heard you make some sounds."

"No... ah... Lyra, you heard wrong... I... mm... might have a slight cold."

I knew Miranda wanted to provoke me, but I really didn't want to listen to a live sex show.

"Did you catch a chill last night? I told you not to do it with me by the window..."

I pretended to be shy. Ethan's side went quiet. He pushed Miranda away. Well, no one would feel good hearing they'd been cuckolded.

We soon arrived at the banquet. Mr. Quinn pulled me around introducing me. Most people were just polite before leaving. I knew they looked down on me---I came from nothing and was blind on top of that.

"Mr. Quinn, you have excellent taste. This young lady is very beautiful."

A male voice spoke. My pupils trembled. It was that man.

"Mr. Quinn, who is this?"

I pretended to ask curiously. Mr. Quinn laughed heartily.

"This is the head of the Foster family, Frederick Foster. Lyra, let me tell you, Frederick is extremely capable. At the same age as Ethan, he's already taken the Foster family to new heights. If Ethan could learn from him, I'd have peace of mind."

Frederick seemed to just be saying hello. After some pleasantries, he left.

Midway through the banquet, I followed a server to the restroom. But when I came out, the server was gone.

Unfamiliar with the route, I felt my way forward. Just as I reached a corner, someone grabbed my waist.

A large hand covered my scream. I smelled his scent---it was Frederick Foster.

"Did I scare you? Can't even recognize your own husband anymore?"

He was truly bold, daring to impersonate Ethan at such a crowded event.

Seeing I didn't respond, Frederick simply chuckled and kissed me.