Chapter 9

Ethan's thin lips trembled. His eyes instinctively avoided mine as he turned his head to look out the restaurant's glass windows.

"We did," he admitted.

"When?" I pressed.

But Ethan clamped his mouth shut tightly, refusing to say any more no matter what.

Feeling somewhat deflated, I started eating my steak, no longer trying to make conversation.

Ethan didn't speak either, seemingly unaware of how awkward the atmosphere had become.

He just stared blankly at my lips and neck, his gaze following the red wine as I swallowed, slowly moving down to my throat before stopping, restrained by his manners.

I glared at him.

He hurriedly turned away, his face pale. He accidentally bit his lip, drawing a spot of bright red blood.

I sighed in exasperation.

"If you want to look at me, just look directly. Don't be all secretive about it.

"We're going to be married soon, Mr. Shen. Can't you do something more open and aboveboard?"

He had taken so many photos of me, hired people to watch me, and even seemed to have bribed my family's maid... If it weren't for how tragically he had died in my past life, I would have reported him to the police for being a stalker by now.

But his assistant had said Ethan was ill.

I should be more patient with someone who's unwell.

I took his hand, ignoring how he instantly tensed up. I dampened a napkin with water and gently wiped away the blood on his palm.

"Your hands are so beautiful. Please don't hurt them anymore, okay?"

Ethan didn't answer, just staring at my face. After a long while, he asked in a low voice:

"Does this mean you're willing to marry me now?"

"Did you give me any choice not to?" I retorted.

His Adam's apple bobbed. "Actually, if you don't want to..."

"What, run away? Or find you and yell in your face that I'll never marry you?" I cut him off, staring into his eyes. "I could do that easily, but Ethan, what would happen to you if I did?"

The result was obvious.

He would die.

In my past life, I never understood how someone could be so weak and helpless that they would end their life so casually, just from hearing news of an escaped bride, without even meeting face to face.

And yet, for some reason, I couldn't bear the thought of his death.