Chapter 478 Let's Date
As soon as Ethan lay down, his stomach growled audibly with hunger.
"You didn't have dinner?" Ashley asked, immediately regretting her question as she remembered his eating disorder.
"No," he replied simply.
Ethan got up and retrieved a small box from the closet containing a syringe and nutritional fluid. Ashley watched as he injected the solution into his flesh, turning away to hide the concern in her eyes.
"Pearl, the staff prepared some food. Why don't I keep you company while you eat a bit more?"
"I..." Before she could refuse, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Ethan commanded.
A maid entered carrying food and set up a folding table. As she moved to help Ashley sit up, Ethan interrupted, "I'll take it from here. You may go."
Once the maid left, Ethan positioned himself beside Ashley. "I see your wounds are scabbing over nicely. You should stick to porridge and green vegetables for now. Avoid anything with strong coloring or it might leave scars."
His gentle attentiveness made Ashley's heart flutter. "I understand."
"Open up," he said, lifting a spoonful to her lips.
After feeding her some porridge and vegetables, Ashley waved her hand. "That's enough... I've had plenty."
Ethan frowned. "Five bites is hardly 'plenty.'"
"I don't want anymore..." she protested weakly.
Raising an eyebrow, Ethan suddenly took a spoonful of porridge into his own mouth.
Ashley stared in shock. "But your food aversion..."
Before she could finish, Ethan leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. Her eyes widened in surprise as her face flushed crimson.
'Liar,' she thought. He promised not to touch her, yet here he was...
Before she could collect herself, he parted her lips and fed her the porridge mouth-to-mouth. Her mind was overwhelmed by the intimate gesture.
Ethan had only intended to make her eat more, but once he tasted her soft, sweet lips, he couldn't pull away. He lingered, tracing her lip with his tongue in a way that left her completely flustered.
"You..." she glared at him indignantly.
Ethan gave her a mischievous smile. "You call that eating enough? Even a kitten eats more. If you won't eat properly, I'll have to feed you like this for every bite."
Ashley was nearly in tears, thinking he was being utterly shameless.
"I quite enjoy feeding you mouth-to-mouth. Shall we try again?"
"No! I'll eat," she quickly relented.
Ethan's lips curled into a triumphant smile.
He proceeded to feed her the entire bowl of porridge and plate of vegetables. By the end, she felt completely stuffed and let out an unintentional burp.
"Now I can see you're actually full," he teased.
"I feel like my stomach is about to burst like an overfilled balloon," she complained.
Ethan glanced outside. "It's still early. Would you like to take a stroll in the garden?"
"But... I can't walk."
"Leave it to me."
Ethan left and returned with a wheelchair. He carefully lifted Ashley into it, then covered her legs with a thin blanket.
"Pearl, when you're fully healed, I'll give you a proper tour of the palace. For now, let's just explore Azure Palace."
"Well... thank you." she replied, her tone formal and distant.
Ethan could only sigh quietly at her reserve. No matter—they had time. She would warm up to him eventually.
Azure Palace, Ethan's current residence, was expansive. The recreation area featured artificial mountains, pavilions, streams, and lush flower gardens—a scene straight out of a painting.
After being bedridden for nearly two days, breathing the fresh air immediately lifted Ashley's spirits.
Ethan wheeled her to a pavilion where they stopped to rest. While Ashley watched fish playing in the stream, Ethan watched her.
"Pearl."
"Yes?"
Ethan gazed at her intensely. "I had a conversation with Atticus today."
"What about?" she asked curiously.
"I told him I'm interested in you and that he should back off."
Ashley's face turned bright red. "You..."
"We've agreed to a fair competition for your affections."
Her heart pounded at his words.
To Ashley, Atticus was like family—important and dear. But Ethan was different. Whenever she saw him, her heart responded in ways she couldn't control.
This competition was already decided before it began.
Ethan took her hand carefully, mindful of her injuries, and looked at her tenderly. "Pearl, give me a chance to court you properly."
Ashley studied him intently. "Are you serious? You know I was married before, and I have two children!"
"I'm completely serious. I adore Andy and Nate. I don't care who their biological father is—they're your children, and I'll treat them as my own and give them the very best of everything."
With sincere conviction, Ethan said, "Pearl, let's date."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
