Chapter 449 Feeling Unexplainably Sorry for Him
Nate's voice interrupted, giving Ashley the chance to make a quick exit. "Nate, thank you so much. I'll serve the dishes—could you please call your brother and Angela for dinner?"
Ethan watched Ashley's retreating figure, unaware of the affection written all over his face.
The dining room
The table was set with about a dozen dishes, each one more appetizing than the last. The presentation alone was enough to make one's mouth water. Who would believe a kid had prepared all this?
Ethan stared at the feast in amazement. "Nate, did you really make all this by yourself?"
Nate beamed with pride. "Of course! I'm amazing, aren't I? Go ahead, praise me!"
Ethan was genuinely impressed. He ruffled Nate's hair affectionately. "You're incredible, Nate. Boys who can cook like this never have trouble finding girlfriends."
Nate blushed slightly. "Obviously! I'm irresistible. I'll go call everyone to dinner."
With that, the little boy turned and left.
Ashley went to the kitchen for cutlery.
"Pearl, let me help you," Ethan offered, following her into the kitchen.
Ashley felt inexplicably nervous at his approach.
"Where do you keep the silverware?" Ethan asked.
"In the lower cabinets," Ashley replied.
Ethan bent down, located several sets of cutlery, then straightened up. His eyes flickered momentarily as he positioned himself behind Ashley, reaching past her to grab the plates.
In this position, he was practically embracing her from behind. Ashley felt a wave of tension as her heart began to race involuntarily.
Ethan tilted his head slightly, his warm breath tickling her ear. "I've got this."
The earlier awkward incident had completely thrown her off balance.
With Ethan standing so close behind her, his posture created an unspoken intimacy and urgency.
Ashley's cheeks flushed. "It's fine, I can manage..."
Ethan remained standing behind Ashley. "Allow me."
He gathered all the plates, but the process seemed to unfold in slow motion. Ashley found it difficult to breathe, her tension evident in the bead of cold sweat forming on her forehead.
The maddening part was that throughout this entire interaction, Ethan never made an inappropriate move. He didn't even brush against her clothing, yet his mere presence had her heart practically leaping into her throat.
Ethan's lips curved into a mischievous smile as he whispered near her ear, "Pearl, all done"
His voice was deep and husky, like a seductive bass that could entrance anyone.
By the time Ashley regained her composure, Ethan had already left with the tableware. No one saw the calculating gleam in his eyes.
As he disappeared, Ashley felt like a deflated balloon, finally exhaling in relief, only to discover her heart was still pounding wildly.
She was losing her mind!
"Mommy, come eat lunch!" Nate called out.
Ashley snapped back to reality, composed herself, and replied, "Coming!"
When Ashley entered the dining room, the three children were already seated. Ethan was moving a chair, about to sit down, when Ashley suddenly exclaimed, "Totti, please sit here instead."
Ethan paused momentarily before sitting where she had indicated.
Ashley took a seat directly across from Ethan, with one of her adorable children on each side.
Angela sat beside Ethan.
"Please, don't stand on ceremony. Help yourselves," Ashley encouraged.
Angela, enticed by the delicious aromas, eagerly replied, "Aunt Pearl, I won't hold back then."
As she savored the food, Angela exclaimed, "Wow, Nate, your cooking is incredible! Even better than royal chefs!"
Nate proudly lifted his chin. "Naturally."
Ashley glanced at Ethan, noticing he was watching the children affectionately but hadn't touched his silverware. "Aren't you eating?" she asked, puzzled.
"Yes, Uncle Totti, try my cooking!" Nate said expectantly. He was eager to know if his father liked his culinary creations.
Ethan stared at the food with visible hesitation before finally saying, "I'll try some."
He took a bite, chewed twice, then appeared to struggle, his stomach visibly turning.
Suddenly, he covered his mouth and rushed to the bathroom to vomit.
Nate looked wounded. "What happened to Uncle Totti? Is something wrong with the food?"
Andy and Ashley appeared equally confused.
"It's not your fault, Nate," Angela explained sadly. "He has a medical condition. Severe anorexia. Eating makes him nauseous. He's been in treatment for years without improvement."
"What? Anorexia?" Andy asked worriedly.
Ashley rose and headed to the bathroom. Seeing Ethan looking so weak after being sick stirred unexpected feelings of concern and anxiety within her.
She prepared a towel and handed it to Ethan as he emerged.
As he took it, their fingers touched—whether intentionally or not—sending a slight tremor through Ashley's heart.
"Thank you," Ethan said softly.
"Uncle Totti, do you really have anorexia?" Nate asked.
Ethan nodded. "Yes, for about six years now. Nate, I'm sorry. Your food looks delicious, but I'm ill and can't eat it."
Looking distressed, Nate asked, "But Uncle, if you can't eat, what do you do when you're hungry?"
Ethan sighed. "Don't worry about me. Go enjoy your meal."
Ashley couldn't help casting a concerned glance at Ethan, who returned a reassuring look. "I'll wait for you all in the living room."
Ashley nodded. "All right."
She returned to the dining room with the children, but her focus was gone. After barely touching her food, she instructed the children, "Darlings, enjoy your meal. I'm going to bring some water to your uncle."
"Okay, Mommy."
Ashley went to the kitchen and prepared a glass of warm water.
Meanwhile, Ethan sat in the living room.
He took a vial of nutritional solution from his bag, rolled up his sleeve, and began injecting the liquid. From a distance, Ashley noticed numerous needle marks covering Ethan's arm, resembling a cluster of tiny ants. The sight was chilling.
For reasons she couldn't explain, Ashley felt a sharp pain in her heart, as if someone had stabbed her.
Ashley offered him the glass. "Here's some warm water for you."
Ethan hadn't finished injecting the solution. Seeing her approach, he gave a soft laugh. "Pearl, did I frighten you?"
Ashley shook her head. She couldn't bring herself to say that rather than being frightened, she felt an inexplicable ache of compassion.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
